Schwenksville Succession Project

No landscape is static, but rather continuously morphing in response to environmental conditions.  Of the more recent large-scale changes in the landscape, none has been any more profound than the decline of Ash trees over the eastern part of the country due to Emerald Ash Borer.  Charged with providing a successional plan for a three-acre slope that had been severely impacted with significant Ash tree removal, a plan was developed to restore a portion of the canopy while also re-establishing the shrub layer, which had consisted almost exclusively of Privet, Multiflora Rose, and Amur Honeysuckle. Existing cedars and Sassafras groves were preserved while a mix of Oaks, Red Maple, Tulip, American Holly and Blackgum along with understory species such as Redbud, Ironwood and Dogwood were planted.  Shrub patches of Maple-leafed Viburnum and Bush Honeysuckle, among others were planted and the herbaceous layer of Japanese stiltgrass was exhausted and seeded with custom savanna seed mixes.  To allow the savanna and shrub layer to establish, a temporary perimeter fence was erected around the project area.