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| Start |  Rejuvenating a mature woodlot
Not surprisingly, the first and most prolific newcomers are the non-native, invasive buckthorn, Norway maple, and honeysuckle. We are removing these in stages, so that native species like sugar maple and beech can find a niche; red-berried elder and black cherry have already done so.
The standing dead trees or snags provide food for a multitude of insects, spiders, and even earthworms, which in turn feed a variety of birds. While probing the trunk for this rich bounty, birds such as woodpeckers create cavities that are used by other birds and mammals for nesting, denning, and roosting.
Even when snags finally fall, they continue to nourish the forest soil for many more years, supporting young seedlings that will grow into tall trees and begin the cycle again.
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At one time, these mature green ash and red oak trees stood on closely cut grass. Valuable leaf litter was removed, depriving them of the rich humus that builds up in natural woodlands. Leaves brought in over the last few years have begun to restore the forest floor and encourage the dense understorey that is beginning to develop.
Along the perimeter of the woods, we're encouraging shrubs and small trees to create an edge effect. Edges, or ecotones, occur where one habitat meets another, often providing the best of both worlds.
