Sue Street Landscaping Work Bee

During the CBLA annual meeting last summer, input was expressed by Cathy VanHouten and others regarding a need to clear some plants away from the trail, leading to the beach at the Sue Street Easement. After a review of the area by the CBLA board, the worst plants that are starting to invade the trail were identified as Robinia pseudoacacia, commonly known as black locust. Although native to this area, this tree is very invasive, as they can reproduce vigorously by root suckering and form groves (or thickets) interconnected by a common fibrous root system. Most disturbing is their large sharp thorns, which are already impeding passage to the beach.

Cathy and her family volunteered late last summer to remove the smallest trees and trim back the larger ones, which vary from 1” to 3” caliper, along with removing several bags of spotted knapweed.  The CBLA board is planning to remove the remaining trees this spring except for one that is over 10” caliper and about 25’ tall. This one will require a professional tree service.  It should eventually be removed but is not an emergency, since it is a safe distance from the path.

In addition to removing these dangerous plants along the path, we are proposing to replace the vegetative screen that they provided with white cedar trees, another native tree that grows well in our area and is much friendlier. Based on budget concerns, we are planning to do this with small plants transplanted from our properties.

The board has tentatively scheduled the Work Bee for this landscaping project for Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4. If you would like to volunteer time or plants, please let us know through the facebook post, an email, or just show up and we will make space!