Garlic Mustard

 

As an AmeriCorps member working at Stone Park one of my main duties is invasive plant removal, and one of the biggest target species is Garlic Mustard. Garlic Mustard is a biennial herb that was first brought to the United States from Europe by the early settlers for food and medicine. It is a short rosette the first year, and then forms a tall stalk the second year, which produces small white flowers, followed by the formation of seed pods, producing up to 200 seeds per plant. Once introduced into an area it spreads quickly and crowds out the native plants. If no control efforts are made then a site that was once full of a large variety of native wildflowers can become a vast  expanse of nothing but garlic mustard.

To prevent this we have been spending much of our time on Garlic Mustard removal. There are various techniques we use. The most basic method is hand removal. This requires simply pulling the plants by hand, making sure to remove as much of the root as possible. Another method is to use a propane torch to burn the plants. This is only effective on first year plants, but it is a much faster way to control large patches. We usually go through an area and pull the second year plants, then go back through and torch the first year plants. However, if the area has too many second year plants we can also use a string trimmer to cut them. This doesn’t always kill the second year plants, but it does hinder the growth, and any plants that resprout will produce less seeds. We will also be doing this after plants have produced seed, but before seed release (late June or early July). We will make sure that plants are bagged and disposed of properly so that seeds are contained.

As I previously mentioned, Garlic Mustard is an edible herb. A quick internet search will lead you to several different recipes. If you are interested you can come pick some at Stone Park and take it home to try. Every plant you pick will help the park and it just might become the secret ingredient in all your best dishes!  Contact us here at the park and we can direct you to a patch of first year plants (second year plants are bitter and undesirable). Just be sure to clean your clothing and shoes after walking through an area of garlic mustard, so that you don’t spread seeds to new areas of the park or your home. Also, if you just want to spend some time outdoors, and want to help keep the park beautiful and healthy, we would be glad to have you join our team for a day, or even an hour. Every plant pulled is 100-200 less for next year. Think of the difference you could make!

-S.H.

Prescribed Fires At Stone Park

Historically fire was an important factor for maintaining healthy prairie habitats. It was caused by natural events, such as lightning storms, and set intentionally by Native Americans. They used fire during hunts to trap animals, to protect themselves from wildfires, and to make traveling through grasslands easier. However, as more American settlers moved in to areas and human population numbers increased, fire was suppressed to protect the people, their homes, and town structures. Because of this trees and shrubs have encroached on many prairies, decreasing habitat quality and availability. In order to protect and restore prairie systems, prescribed fires have become an important land management tool.

 Due to scientific research it is understood that prairie plants are adapted to the presence of fire. Grasses and wildflowers have extensive root systems, where fire does not penetrate, so they are not harmed. As fire goes through an area, ground cover thatch is reduced and nutrients are released back into the soil. At the same time non-native seedling and sapling plants are killed. The combination of increased light availability, higher nutrient levels, and decreased competition stimulates the growth of native plants.

Historically Stone Park also had oak-savanna habitats, meaning that Burr Oak trees were dispersed within the prairie grasses and flowers. Fire helps these habitats too. Burr oaks have thick bark that protects them from fire and their saplings are much more fire resistant than other tree saplings. Because of this fire can be used to decrease leaf litter among the trees, kill non-prairie trees that have invaded, and reduce the number of non-native seedlings. All of these factors help ensure that the savannas are preserved instead of transitioning into more dense woodlands, where prairie species cannot survive.

So what does it take to successfully perform a prescribed burn? The first step is planning. The burn area must be identified, and control lines must be established. Weather is closely monitored and area officials are informed. A crew of experienced people is gathered and equipped with proper fire tools. The weather, plans, hazards, safety precautions, and goals are all discussed. Then the area is intentionally set on fire and closely monitored during and after the burn. The area is also monitored over the following days to make sure all of the fire is out and there is no threat of a prescribed burn turning into an uncontrolled wildfire. As you can see, each prescribed fire takes a lot of work, and each one is taken very seriously.

This year we have conducted two prescribed fires here at Stone Park. One burn was done along the Mount Lucia trail and the other was done on the Mount Talbot State Preserve. It has been about two weeks since both burns and if you visit these areas you will already see a difference. The black is quickly turning to green and the prairie plants will continue and thrive throughout the summer.