Laserfiche WebLink
Natural <br />Resource <br />Ai Services <br />Buckthorn Management Plan <br />Woodland Trails Regional Park <br />Elk River, MN <br />Project overview <br />Woodland Trails Regional Park is 450 acre regional park within the city of Elk River. The <br />park consists of many amenities including an elaborate network of paved and mowed trails <br />that are utilized throughout all 4 seasons. The park consists largely of oak woodlands, <br />mixed hardwood forest, wetland complexes and restored native prairie. <br />As with many natural areas in this part of the state, buckthorn has become a dominant and <br />unwelcomed feature of the understory. Although various efforts have been made to <br />remove and control buckthorn in the park, a comprehensive and consistent approach <br />going forward is essential to ultimate control of this aggressive invasive species. <br />An effective buckthorn management plan includes both the initial removal of mature <br />buckthorn plants and control of the inevitable resprouting of buckthorn seedlings. This is <br />accomplished via precisely timed foliar applications of specific herbicides which do not <br />harm the existing native vegetation. Because buckthorn seed remains viable for several <br />years, it is typically necessary to conduct herbicide oversprays for several years after the <br />initial removal. An orchestrated strategy of initial removal and follow up foliar herbicide <br />applications is essential to long term buckthorn eradication and control. <br />Based on the current conditions and overall expectations for this project, a summary of <br />recommended techniques and timing, and their associated costs is as follows: <br />Natural Resource Services, Inc. <br />