THE WOODPILE—NEWS NOT SO NEATLY STACKED
With Hope for the Future With just one last remaining mature red mulberry tree clinging precariously to the Merrimack River Outdoor Education and Conservation Area’s steep riverbanks in Concord, Forest Society staff have long wished to plant replacements. Their wish came true on April 15, 2022, when local Concord teacher and nature photographer Ellen Kenny and seven students from Broken Ground Elementary School joined Forest Society Senior Director of Education Dave Anderson, Reservation Stewardship and Engagement Director Carrie Deegan, and volunteer land steward Dave Heuss to help plant three young mulberry trees further back from the riverbank. Students helped dig wide holes to place bare-root nursery stock in a mix of soil with cow manure and compost mix. They enthusiastically removed sod and roots
and stockpiled soil on a tarp to be replaced around the tree. The trees were staked to prevent wind damage until the roots begin to grow. Finally, the tender young nursery stock were each fenced aggressively with tall wire cages to prevent browsing or damage by deer, which are common on the floodplain. Native to river floodplains and riparian habitats, red mulberry attracts numerous songbirds, squirrels, chipmunks, foxes, and other wildlife in early June when the trees’ fruits ripen. Anderson and Deegan talked about how the students could return in subsequent years to visit "their" mulberry trees and see if local wildlife had found this sweet sustenance. A total of eight red mulberry trees were planted over the course of two days on the floodplain as part of a grant-funded program with generous financial support from Benjamin
Students and teachers from Broken Ground Elementary are all smiles after a day of planting trees at the Merrimack River Outdoor Education and Conservation Area.
Couch Trust, in addition to annual support from Northeast Delta Dental and Merrimack County Savings Bank.
Discover the Merrimack River Watershed! June 15-September 30
$25 per party. Challenge participants receive 5 laminated paddle guides with put-ins/take-outs, directions, interpretive details & safety tips.
forestsociety.org/mpc 4 | FOREST NOTES Spring 2022
