Overall Plans
In general we are working to remove plants in this sequence.
| Year 1 |
Cut vines that threaten tree health. |
| Year 2 |
Uproot and cut common invasive shrubs - bush honeysuckle, wineberry and multiflora rose |
| Year 3-4 |
Pull any invasive vines still growing on trees and all vines covering the ground. |
| Year 4 on |
Check for returning invasive plants.
Year 4-5 - Decide what to do about various invasive tree species.
This may depend partly on how much natural regeneration occurs in the Park. |
Annual Plans
This is the plant calendar plan we expect to follow. It is generally flexible and is subject to change as we make new realizations. A late spring extends plant deadlines. In actual practice one sometimes prefers to finish all work in a small area before moving on.
- Mid-April to Mid-June Garlic Mustard, any Spring Bulbs. Bright white flowers disappear by about mid-May, making it harder to find plants. Leaves turn yellow about two weeks before June 21, which helps in discovering missed plants. Areas need to be checked in both months. Garlic mustard seeds burst at about the solstice, June 21.
- Mid-March to mid-May. No work other than garlic mustard will be done, to avoid walking on spring plants in the woods and to prevent disturbing bird nests.
- Late June-late July Mile-a-Minute Roots come most easily before mid-July. However the taller plants of late July are easier to see. A few seeds ripen each week until mid-August, when picking becomes less worthwhile.
- September Stilt grass Cut 2-3 weeks before seeding in September-October
- October-March Other plants. Most can be removed at any time of year other than spring. Fall and winter are ideal because no foliage blocks a view of the stems, and the working temperature is cooler. This is by far the best time for major work on rose. Priorities:
- Remaining vines if seriously threatening trees
- Shrubs. Rose first, then bush honeysuckle, wineberry and others (barberry, bamboo, privet, autumn olive, etc.)
- Ground covers: Japanese honeysuckle, English ivy, wintercreeper
- Spring and Fall Tree plantings if needed, although without question natural regeneration is preferable.
