Page 71 - parks-master-plan

wildlife diversity, fall colors, the number of large trees and tree species diversity. The first steps in the management process are clear goal definition and professional staff selection. The City is committed to the community’s urban forest and employs a staff trained and certified in forestry management, urban forestry, and natural resources management.

A typical forest succession begins with pioneer weeds, followed by perennials, shrubs, trees and, finally, ending in the slow stage called climax. Parkland woodlots are in various stages of forest succession. The Parks staff is developing a woodlot (track of forest) management plan. The plan, if fully

implemented, will result in healthy ecological woodlot communities and associations that naturally occur in forest successions.

A clear understanding of woodlot inventory is the first step in the management plan. This is done by ecological assessments using staff members and outside resources. Data will be compiled, determining the current successional stage of the woodlot. The next step is deciding the best way to manipulate the woodlot.

Because species determine how to “manage” the stand, decisions will be made using the most beneficial species already present. Once the most beneficial species are determined, actual physical manipulation of the woodlot can

occur. The viable beneficial species will remain while species in various stages of deterioration will be identified and their value within the forest community determined.

All tree species have different time tables for rotting. Rotting trunks that crumble quickly attract insects and are a source of food for wildlife. Trunks that hollow out provide dens for animals. Some tree species, such as sycamore, beech, maple, oak and cedar are more prone to hollowing out.

Numerous elm and ash trees grow in Dublin woodlots. There is a high chance that when elms begin to decay and the elm bark beetle attacks the wood that elm disease will materialize. Dead elms should be completely removed to help manage the disease. The emerald ash borer also is a concern that must be part of a management plan. Ash should also be completely removed if determined to be infested with EAB or is in a hazardous state.

Staff will leave fallen trees on the edge of woodlots and in the interior to serve as a source of shelter and for the growth of fungi, a source of food for animals. These trunks are beneficial to animals that have interior habitats, such as certain birds (warblers). Examples of animals with habitats on the edge of woods are turkeys, raccoons, red foxes and certain birds (northern cardinals and bluebirds). Certain animals prefer