NATIVE AREAS DATA BY NUMBERED SECTIONS WITH MAP
Area 9:
Prairie – Central Road.
Work Started:
(1980) Intial seeding began .Approximately in 1980.
(1990) Restoration continued.
Preexisting conditions:
Probably an old farm field. In the early 1980's parts were rototilled and seeded by Oakton Community College Faculty. Origin seed unknown.
Work done:
Trees:
(1990) Slowly piled branches for burning.
(1990) Cut back Buckthorns -Western wood line.
(1990) Thinned Maples- Southern wood line.
(1993) Cut 5 mature Cottonwoods.
(2002-2004) Continue cutting healthy young Buckthorns in the center and Western borders. Young Bitternut Hickories showing up (4-5).
Shrubs:
(1990) None
Vines:
(1990) Controlled some grapes- Southern wood borders.
Plants:
(1990) Planted Eastern and Northeast edges – Liatris Spicata, Mountain Mint, Tall Coreopsis
(2002-2004) Pull Tall Goldenrod around other prairie plants, hoping they will become stronger.
Seeds:
(1980) Original seed origin unknown
(1995-2001) Seeded throughout grasses and forbs areas.
(2002-2003) Planted more prairie seeds.
Weeds:
(1980) Multi-Flora Rose, Canada Thistle, 2 types Teasel, White sweet Clover, Reed Canary Grass, Garlic Mustard, Catnip, Bull and Scotch Thistle, Queen Anne’s Lace, Chicory.
(2003-2004) Multi Flora Rose, Canadian Thistle, Teasel, Catnip, and Garlic Mustard still a problem.
Burned:
Approximately in 1988, 1999, 2000, 2001.
Eastern section- very good burn.
Rest of the area - spotty.
(2002-2003) Spring burns in Eastern and Northern sections.
Other:
(1990) Trimmed back Tall Goldenrod in some areas.
(2002-2003) Tall Goldenrod has spread throughout area and is hindering other plants.
Positive:
1/3 of prairie has stabilized, with more diversity, as consistent burning takes place.
Some colonies establishing – Monaida, Mountain Mint, Penstamon Digitalis, Rattlesnake Master, Stiff Goldenrod, Yellow Coneflower, Saw tooth Sunflower.
Negative:
(1995 appox.) Tall grasses disappeared and Tall Goldenrod took over.
(1995 appox.) Central area- inundated with weeds and deep seed bank.
(1995 appox.) Southern, Western borders and Central area - Buckthorn and Garlic Mustard coming back
(2003-2004) Large areas.
Work to Do: |
Work
Completed: |
| Weeds - many | Pulled weeds (2003-2004) |
| Control Baby Buckthorn | Controlled Baby Buckthorn (2003-2004) |
| Burn | Burned (2003-2004) |
| Cut some Tall Goldenrod areas to promote diversity | Cut some Tall Goldenrod areas to promote diversity (2003-2004) |
| Pile and burn downed Cottonwoods | Pile and burn downed Cottonwoods (2003-2004) |
| Thin trees, South wood edge | Thin trees, South wood edge (2003-2004) |
| Cut Buckthorns, West edge | Cut Buckthorns, West edge (2003-2004) |
| Seed | Seeded (2003-2004) |
| (2004) Blackberry becoming dominant in areas, may remove some |
Comments:
Needs a lot of diligent work.
(2002) Unfortunately an explosion in the Vole Population destroyed large colonies of Penstamon, Monarda, and yellow coneflower.
