Reforestation at Tarzian Nature Preserve

This nature preserve is a privately owned property with a conservation easement placed on it in conjunction with the Sycamore Land Trust.  Located within the city limits of Bloomington, IN, the preserve is 16 acres of valuable urban green space with an interpretive nature trail showcasing native plants and wildlife. 

Native Oaks, Hickories and other hardwoods were planted with cages to protect them from the high populated deer on the preserve.

Large clones of Tree of Heaven (Alianthus altissima) were removed and treated to allow the native plants to regenerate. A 6 acre field of Tall Fescue was converted into a combination of short and tall native grass plantings. Little Bluestem (Schizacyrium scoparium) is noticeable in the foreground with Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) and Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans) filling in the background.

Native Honeysuckle Vine Lonicera sempervirens

Severely degraded woodlands can benefit from the installation of native shrubs and herbaceous material such as spicebush, false sunflower and native wild rye.  After the removal of invasive species such as Tree of Heaven, this type of replanting can help decrease the reinfestation  of an area with other invasive plant species like garlic mustard that can quickly become established and overtake an area.   Therefore a native woodland grass and wildflower seed mix was installed to connect two pieces of fragmented forest.  This combined with the native hardwood trees that were also planted in this area will be managed to reforest and reconnect these two fragmented forest pieces.