For a few years, I've volunteered regularly at several local forest and nature preserves, where there are ongoing restoration plans to eliminate invasive species and create more favorable conditions for the return of native species. In some cases, the natives are re-introduced from seed. In others, improved conditions help a dormant, long-hidden population to re-emerge. Each year, I see more evidence of these small areas gradually returning to how they may have looked before they began to be changed by the first settlers in the early 1800s. This particular forest is an oak savanna, as mentioned in a bit of early history.
As buckthorn and other invasives that cast dense shade on the forest floor are removed, sun-loving native species re-emerge. Acorns that fell from giant oak trees above now have enough sun to grow, so little oak seedlings appear where there were none for years. Sedges grow, adding a bit of grassy texture to the forest floor. Meadow rue and other wildflowers also reappear.
At this early point in the season, not much is growing yet. The most visible species is a rarely recognized bit of Chicago's history. A few of you might to recognize the name. This wild onion, checagou, inspired the name of our city. It's a Native American name for a type of wild onion, now known as ramps.
Last spring, I saw a few little patches of ramps at this forest preserve. Now there are many more patches and some larger areas, as in this photo. Seeing these little beauties grow is one of many rewards for volunteering on a long-term restoration program.
Ramps are a traditional food, and they've been rediscovered and popularized by chefs in some high end restaurants. In some areas, they are quite common. In other places, they are endangered. After so much hard work to re-establish a semblance of a natural ecosystem in this forest preserve, I will not reveal its location. All these things are gifts to us. I'd hate to see them destroyed by people trying to make a buck.
In the coming months, I'll see more pieces of our botanical history re-emerge. I hope to see many of those little oak seedlings grow up to scatter acorns and create the next generation. In a few months, I'll work with a team near the Indiana border as part of an annual journey of botanical rediscovery. Who knows what we might find?
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Comments
I wonder what buckthorn looks like? Out here we have 'buck brush' which sounds as if it could be similar, it grows among oaks also, has a sicky-sweet blossom smell in spring...
♥R ated with appreciation.
Here's a good link for buckthorn. It includes a very detailed page of info on identifying it. Take a look and see if that's what you have.
There's another page on how to get rid of it. From my experience in the forest preserves, the most practical approach (except for seedlings small enough to pull out) is to cut down the tree, with a fairly short stump (ideally 6" or less). Spray the cut stump with Roundup. If the stump gets well saturated, that will probably kill it off. The seeds are prolific. I've seen stealth buckthorn invasions get started in many yards here just from birds pooping out the seeds. I've gotten a few buckthorn invaders in my own yard and promptly killed them off.
The southeast part of Chicago has many old rail corridors and industrial areas that are being reclaimed by nature. They are fascinating places to explore. Several years ago, a pair of nesting bald eagles was discovered in one of these areas. They were seen for a few years in a row. I don't know if they're back this year, but they might be. It's a mind boggling idea - bald eagles nesting within the Chicago city limits.
Making small botanical comments is becoming a trend with me...lovely post!
This is a GREAT post dear.
I wish I could rate it a zillion times too....
Roger - This has been a largely unknown positive side to the loss of industry on the south side. Mother Nature has been taking it back with a vengeance.
Mission - Thank you! It's a pleasure to share this kind of news.
I'll probably go there again on Saturday for another workday, most likely with my little camera in my pocket.
(all I have like that in my yard is garlic chives...talk about invasive)
Nora - I've had a lot of really positive volunteer experiences doing this. It's cool when we have a group of high school volunteers and many of them have never been in the woods before. Clearing all the invasives and dead wood generates a lot of piles. We have burn piles, and they can be quite dramatic. In colder weather, standing by the fire for a few minutes is like enjoying an enormous campfire.
Sometimes our site leader will bring an enormous cast iron Dutch oven filled with bratwurst, tuck it at the edge of one of the burn piles early on, and bring it out at quitting time for lunch. It's great fun to watch the kids' expressions when they watch him pull this medieval looking pot out of the ashes, brush it off, then open it to reveal our lunch.