Early Successional Upland Forest
The land that was once shaped and groomed to accommodate the industrial buildings and tanks of the 19th and 20th centuries is emerging into upland forest rich in early successional species. Young aspen, boxelder, willows and birch are taking hold to the south and west of the berm that defines the wetland. South of the steel retaining wall, white pines, cottonwood, sugar maples and even an apple tree dot the canopy while red-osier dogwood, honeysuckle, wild grape and sumac color the understory. Perrennial grasses, such as scouring rush, cover the berms and abut the retaining wall.
The cultivation of certain fast-growing species, such as poplars, may also remediate any contaminated soils on-site. The U.S. Forest Service explains some principles of phytoremediation here.
The cultivation of certain fast-growing species, such as poplars, may also remediate any contaminated soils on-site. The U.S. Forest Service explains some principles of phytoremediation here.
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| Clockwise from top left: Young black locust by the dog park, mature black willow and cottonwood at the northern end of the retaining wall, scouring rush along the southern boundary of the retaining wall, trees growing through old fencing along the shoreline, the Early Successional Upland Forest viewed from the water. |
Plant Species Observed in the Early Successional Upland Forest
Eastern cottonwood, black willow, black locust, box elder, green ash, white pine, grey birch, sugar maple, quaking aspen, northern white cedar, apple tree, red-osier dogwood, staghorn sumac, scouring rush, honeysuckle, buckthorn, goldenrod, aster, sedges, bittersweet
