03/14/2017
Mobile Botanical Gardens Update
The Mobile Botanical Gardens Longleaf Forest achieved a milestone in February. The last area of the forest that was overcome with off-site and invasive species encroachment was put back in long leaf. The present condition of the 35 acre forest is now such that the entire forest may be managed with fire. This achievement marks years of effort by many people.
The specific area, comprised of about 3 acres, was a near solid stand of laurel or water oak with a carpet of tallow trees, privet, and escaped ornamentals. The thick oak litter and shade precluded fire. The invasive and ornamental species smothered the ground. The Longleaf volunteer team cut the larger trees with chainsaws, sprayed the undesirable plants with herbicide and then burned the entire area to clean the ground. Great care was taken to protect the resident gopher tortoises and the few adult and grass stage longleaf on the site. On February 23, Jerry Hanks, owner of Complete Forestry LLC, a reforestation contractor out of Auburn, generously provided a planting crew and donated seedlings to jump-start the area back to the desired conditions. Please see the photos of this event taken by Amanda Wilkins https://goo.gl/photos/YdxH2aWtATgiLfBG9.
As we shift from the process of returning the forest to a healthy stand of longleaf to now maintaining it, we hope to use our resources to expand our educational outreach and enhance visitor experience. If anyone is interested in visiting the forest it is open free of charge at all times. We also need volunteers and supporters. Please see www.mobilebotanicalgardens.org for general details.
John R. Goodloe, III
55 Midtown Park East
Mobile, AL 36606
25 new photos · Album by Amanda Wilkins
