Beginning July 20, the City, in partnership with Lands and Forests Consulting have initiated a forest restoration project in an area of escarpment lands consisting of 2.9 acres between Victoria Park and St. George’s Park.
The Victoria Park Master Plan notes that the site would realize positive benefits from removing invasive species.
The purpose of the project is to be proactive when dealing with the effects of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), including advanced tree mortality caused by EAB infection.
The multi-step action plan is meant to improve the long-term health and quality of these forested areas.
Thinning of the trial area focuses solely on reducing the proportion of ash species in the stand and will ensure that the forest is enhanced and maintained for future generations.
The Project involves identifying and measuring ash trees to be removed, identifying and removing invasive species, litter clean up, and re-planting of native trees, shrubs, and understory species.
Step 1:starting today includes the completion of a basic forest inventory, marking ash trees for removal, treatment of invasive ivy with a selective herbicide, and removal of invasive tree species.
Step 2: the removal of marked ash trees in late 2021 or early 2022, and the sale of any merchantable wood products recovered from the site.
Step 3: secondary treatment of invasive plant species and planting of native trees, shrubs, and plants throughout the selected forest area.
New plantings would include:
- Trees - White Pine, Hemlock, Sugar Maple, Basswood, and Yellow Birch
- Shrubs - Leatherwood, Elderberry and Dogwood
- Understory Plants - Various native ferns, Trilliums, Blue Cohosh, Trout Lily
Site signage has been placed outlining the purpose and goals of the project.
source: media release, City of Owen Sound
