Luckey Oak Woodland Project

Reducing the overstory canopy and adding periodic burning

The 8.4-acre Luckey Oak Woodland restoration has been in process since 1998. This has involved removing the woody understory vegetation and deadening selected overstory trees (typically non-oak species) by girdling. The girdled trees were left standing for birds that nest in cavities and forage on bark. The reduction of overstory canopy coverage to 50-75% allowed for increased sunlight to the woodland floor. Periodic burning was begun in 2001 and generally continues every three years.

Native Plants and Birds

On the 5.6 acres currently restored, a significant native herbaceous ground cover has developed. This includes species endemic to oak woodland such as: Pennsylvania sedge, bottlebrush grass, fire pink, starry campion, false toadflax, huckleberry, prairie alumroot, two-flowered Cynthia and blue-eyed grass. The high, open canopy of black oak, white oak and hickory trees, along with the standing girdled snags, has attracted significant populations of red-headed and pileated woodpeckers. Work will continue on the remaining 2.8 acres in the years ahead.