Working on clearing Autumn Olive.
Photo by SA Ferguson

The May 11 work day was the third one we have devoted to restoring the meadow on the western side of JK Black Oak Wildlife Sanctuary.  The first two meadow restoration work days took place on December 2, 2023 and April 20, 2024. Like the first two work days, this one was spent removing invasives, primarily Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata). This multi-stemmed invasive shrub can reach a height of up to 20 feet and spread 30 feet wide. Unfortunately, JK Black Oak has plenty of Autumn Olives that size, including those that have overtaken the meadow along with many smaller shrubs that are growing quickly.

Thirteen volunteers spent the morning cutting down Autumn Olive using hand saws and loppers, and building a massive brush pile with all the branches that were removed.  The stumps are being left until late summer when we will cut them to the ground and treat with herbicide.  This cut and treat approach has been very effective to kill even the largest shrubs and prevent re-sprouting.  (Treating them in spring when the sap is still rising, however, is not effective.)

By the end of the morning, the cleared areas made the meadow visibly larger.

One of the areas partially cleared of Autumn Olive.
Photo by SA Ferguson

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