Amherst Island Reforestation Project

Cicindelid

Cicindelid

Seedling
Hi, just thought I'd share this as im sure a few of you would be interested in hearing this. My family owns 55 acres on the north side of Amherst Island, and as soon as i finish college and save up a bit im moving out there. Beautiful island in lake Ontario, only has about 500 people on it. Nationally known for its huge population of migratory raptors. I read online that pre-settlement, the island was a mature closed-canopy deciduous forest, primarily of oaks and hickories and the now sadly extirpated american chestnut. I am hugely into native plants especially trees. I plan to gradually convert the land back to towering oak forest as it is almost entirely fields of invasive clover, grasses, trefoil and the dreaded parsnip. I will be doing experiments of forestry methods such as the Miyazaki method (my plan is to eventually thin out the overcrowded trees and introduce understory species such as maples, tuliptree, berry bushes, wild leeks, etc). I will update slowly but surely to let you all know how it goes if people want. Any seed donations are greatly appreciated and any tips or advice as well.
 
Amazing project. Let us know how it goes. There are lots of shagbark hickory, tulip trees, American walnuts, different Oaks etc. nearby so when you are ready I can collect seed (acorns, etc). I also know people who are native tree enthusiasts who might have ideas. U of Guelph conservatory would have a lot of experience, especially disease resistant elms.
 
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Lloyd Gordon said:
Amazing project. Let us know how it goes. There are lots of shagbark hickory, tulip trees, American walnuts, different Oaks etc. nearby so when you are ready I can collect seed (acorns, etc). I also know people who are native tree enthusiasts who might have ideas. U of Guelph conservatory would have a lot of experience, especially disease resistant elms.
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I will for sure take you up on those seeds, i can start stratifying them whenever! Guelph may be too far for a visit but maybe i could try emailing them for info and tips. Thanks!
 
May be taking a field trip soon to a Black Oak Savannah nature preserve. Going to try and collect a few seeds from as many plants as i can as i do not plan to have full forest, i will however attempt to replace the invasive meadows around where my house will go with my most accurate approximation of an oak savannah.
 
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