Restoring Nobel Woods

Help the city continue its successful momentum in restoring Nobel Woods, a high-quality, 4-acre woodlot adjacent to the Quarry Hill Neighborhood. Much has already been accomplished to help replenish a thriving ground layer of native plants, including wildflowers such as trillium, bellworts, bloodroot, wild geranium, Jack in the Pulpit, shooting star, Solomon’s seal, false Solomon’s seal, wood anemone and white avens. We have turned the corner on garlic mustard, buckthorn, honeysuckle, black locust and other invasive species throughout the woodlot. In May 2014, a dozen northern red oak (Quercus rubra) and swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor) seedlings were planted throughout the woodlot. Footpaths give the public ample access to view this diversity of native plants and opportunities for watching woodpeckers, flickers and blue jays, and perhaps spotting a Baltimore oriole or scarlet tanager migrating through. 

Clearing Invasive Plants

Current restoration efforts are primarily focused on the removal and treatment of Canada thistle, burdock and deadly nightshade. These unwanted herbaceous plants are crowding out native plant regeneration.  Also, when black cherry and box elder seedlings and saplings are found, they need to be removed.  Although both are native species, they are weedy and invasive in their own rights and interfere with oak and hickory regeneration.   
 
Spring is a wonderful time to enjoy Nobel Woods, so please pitch in if you can.  If you would like to help, please get in touch with the City Forester and Naturalist, Anna Healy.