Savanna Restoration

The end of July moved HRF south of Glenwood for restoration processes on prime Loess Hills acres.  The property is already beautiful with prairie flowing up the gentle slopes leading to the steep hills.  At this junction prairie grasses meet dense woodland with a mixed stand of hardwoods and invasive eastern red cedars.

We specifically targeted saving of oaks, black walnuts, and an occasional ash or other hardwood to help maintain diversity.  Every other woody species has been eradicated through chainsaw felling.  HRF piled as much debris as possible where it was accessible by track loader.  The rest of the debris was left on the slopes to dry awaiting prescribed fire over the coming years to consume it.

Proper management of vegetation control combined with a prescribed fire regime should allow native grasses and forbes to regain control of the site and work their way up the slopes under the newly opened canopy.  Well over 50% of the canopy is now opened up allowing full sunlight to the forest floor that has not seen light in years.

It looks amazing now as one can imagine native grasses and forbes running up the side of the hills underneath the open canopies of grand bur oaks and even the black walnuts.