12
Davey Resource Group
September 2015
Species that are not found or are growing in
very low densities (<5% cover) are likely not well
suited to the site conditions and should not be
included in future seed mixes. These species may
also be sparse due to other species dominating
the habitat. Species that are dominating the site,
with greater than 60% total cover, should also be
removed from future seed mixes in this area, or
used in much lower quantities to increase overall
species diversity.
All areas treated with herbicide within the
wildflower prairie should be overseeded with an
appropriate version of the original seed mix to
encourage native species to become established
in place of the non-native vegetation that is
removed. This will help prevent reinvasion by
additional invasive species and increase the
overall diversity of the prairie habitat.
The wildflower area will require some long-term
management; however, this will be limited to
annual mowing and spot treatments, which will
decrease over time. The management goals
established in the previous section can be
achieved using the following recommendations.
SUMMER/FALL
YEAR 1
SPRING
YEAR 2
SUMMER/FALL
YEARS 2-10
SPRING
YEARS 3-10
SELECTIVE TREATMENT OF THE 5-ACRE WILDFLOWER AREA USING
TARGETED HERBICIDE APPLICATIONS AND OVERSEEDING TREATED
AREAS WITH A NATIVE SEED MIX.
MOW THE WILDFLOWER AREA IN MARCH-APRIL TO A HEIGHT
OF 6-8 INCHES BEFORE SIGNIFICANT GROWTH OF DESIRABLE
SPECIES OCCURS.
CONTINUE SELECTIVE TREATMENT OF RESIDUAL NON-NATIVE
VEGETATION AS NEEDED USING TARGETED HERBICIDE APPLICATIONS
AND OVERSEEDING.
CONTINUE MOW MANAGEMENT OF THE WILDFLOWER AREA EACH
SPRING TO REDUCE UNDESIRABLE VEGETATION AND ENCOURAGE A
HEALTHY NATIVE STAND.
OPEN FIELDS AND TRAIL RIGHTS-OF-WAY
The open field habitats require more ongoing
management since they do not currently have
enough native vegetative diversity to naturally
control undesirable plant species. Additionally,
these areas will have to be continually maintained
to preserve the trail system used by visitors.
Open fields are also beneficial to migratory birds
and other wildlife, offering nesting areas for birds
and small mammals, as well as flight corridors
for bats.
These habitats will require different management
techniques depending on the desired outcome
for each area, such as managing for new
forested habitat or additional wildflower areas.
Management recommendations for these areas
are geared towards enhancing and maintaining
portions of the open habitats to support wildlife
populations, increasing native plant diversity,
and maintaining trail pathways for visitors. For
the purpose of wildlife use, other areas will be
converted to woody shrub/scrub or forested
habitats using native tree and shrub species from
Tables 6 and 7.
