Old Field Managment

Land covered in a mix of weeds, grass or brush (Old field vegetation)is one of the most common types of vegetation growing on undeveloped land.
Old field vegetation is highly beneficial to wildlife but it is extremely vulnerable to permanent alteration from mowing, human development or risk from invasive plants. It's important to everyone that land be kept in its natural state.

White Oak Nursery (WON) provides many options for you to manage your property wisely and efficiently.   You will learn how to manage your property for the highest biological, ecological and aesthetic values. WON helps you speed up the process of natural succession. Shows you how to collect and plant seed of native trees and shrubs. Helps you understand natural processes. Provides low cost trees and shrubs. All this allows you to increase ornamental interest and biodiversity on your land.

Old fields are also at severe risk from infestation by invasive species.Non-native invasive species readily invade old field habitit. These plants have a negative impact on your property and the wildlife that use it. Invasisve plants need to be identified and removed. 

Old field covered with Grey dogwood.
Grey dogwood is one of the most important native wildlife shrubs. A field like this provides critical habitat for local song bird populations. It also provides large amounts of high energy fruits thast birds need during fall migration. If you care about bird conservation on your land, W.O.N. can help you preserve what you already have and develop prime bird habitat.

A field in transition to woodland. 
This field is at the perfect stage for introducing high value hardwood tree species such as oak, cherry, maple and linden. W.O.N. can advise you how to manage your property to grow hardwood trees, increase its wildlife value or help you maintain it in its natural state.

this page updated February20, 2008