Special Projects Work Day at JK Black Oak

Occasionally there is a need for a  work day focusing on special projects at JK Black Oak with a limited number of volunteers. On July 13 we had such a work day during which we fenced off one of the vernal pools,  installed a gutter on the storage shed and worked on Tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) control. Eleven volunteers split into three teams to tackle these projects.

Installing a fence along the corner of Stumptown and New Valley Church Roads is required because over the years we have had people parking vehicles in the vernal pool near the corner.  Obviously, this is not good for the pool. Placing No Trespassing signs did not help. Therefore, a team installed a 300 foot fence at the edge of the forest to protect the vernal pool and restrict access from the road. Using both manual and mechanized post pounders, the volunteers installed over 30 posts and strung lines of  barbed wire. Everyone worked up quite a sweat in the heat.

Without a suitable water source at the property, planting native perennials (including trees) has resulted in losing many of the newly planted natives.  In the past we brought in water using gallon containers to water the newly-planted natives. For large planting efforts this is not a workable solution. One solution is to install a gutter on the storage shed and hook it up to a large water tote that holds a few hundred gallons of water. A small team completed this project during the work day. Now we just need rain to fill it up.

Tree-of-heaven is a fast-growing invasive tree  that is spreading rapidly at the sanctuary. This tree is also the host for the Spotted Lanternfly, which can cause significant damage  to agricultural crops and forests. Controlling Tree-of-heaven provides plenty of challenges. Not only are they found throughout the property, but many new tree seedlings can sprout from the roots of a single tree if incorrect methods are used to kill it. During the work day, we tested several methods. Small trees were broken and herbicide squirted into the break. For large trees we girdled the trunk with a very thin cut or used the hack and squirt approach. The team estimated that they got to approximately 200 trees.  If you want to learn more about how to get rid of Tree-of-heaven, see the fact sheet on the Blue Ridge Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM) website.