7. PRSR 04-11-2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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.Resource Management Recommendations The resource management activities listed below are designed to maintain and/or improve the composition, function and structure of the forest at the site. These are listed by activity type with descriptions provided for individual activities. A table is included at the end of this section Summarizing by-activity costs and priority level of these activities. Fortunately for the City, the forest found here is in good to very good condition in most areas, with only minor needs for active management. Management Goals ^ Management of the oak forest to maintain composition, structure, and function of the community type ^ Maintain oak dominance within community by using resource management activities that foster recruitment of new oak saplings into the canopy ^ As development occurs in the area surrounding the forest, establish buffers for the forest ^ Maintain trails that enable resource management and provide opportunities for activities such as walking, jogging, and cross-country skiing ^ Provide recreational and educational opportunities that are compatible with sustaining natural community function and integrity Recommended Management Activities Nonnative/Invasive Woody Species Control Early restoration of the site should involve removal of select species of nonnative shrubs and perhaps weedier trees, followed by the reintroduction of appropriate species of woodland grasses and forbs, and the application of prescribed fire. Nonnative shrubs, and weedier trees determined to interfere with the normal function of the healthy hardwood members of the canopy should be controlled. This is especially true for European buckthorn and Tartarian honeysuckle, which should be controlled to the greatest extent possible. In areas where nonnatives occur in thick patches, cutting the smallest shrubs and trees first allows for easier handling of larger trees as they are removed later. If the shrubs/trees are found in very thick patches, this material should be piled and burned as described below. The control of problem trees and shrubs should be accomplished before any burning is conducted. It is important to treat tree and shrub stumps within 1 hour of cutting with a 25-50% solution of a glyphosate or picloram (Roundup or Garlon) herbicide. Treating cut stumps by using a spray bottle allows for treating only the edge of the stump with minimal risk of damaging any adjacent desirable plants. Treating the stumps with a herbicide is important because it minimizes resprouting. Stump resprouts create the arduous task of (re)cutting many stems where one previously existed. Resprouting can also increase the amount of shade at the ground level from precutting ,further hindering the improvement of the ground layer. When applying herbicides following the Top of the World Park Addition Natural Area Management Plan 11