milford township fish, game and forestry association natural

Location: Milford Township, Bucks County

Size: 77-acre conservation easement

General Description of Natural Areas

The Milford Township Fish Game and Forestry Association (MTFGFA) easement is located at 1685 Canary Road in Milford Township, Bucks County. The property is three miles southwest of Quakertown and one and a half miles west of Trumbauersville, not far from the Quakertown interchange of the Northeast Turnpike Extension (Route 476). David Steckel and Andrea Stevens of Natural Lands Trust conducted a field inspection of the property on March 3, 2008 and were accompanied by Jim Erb, President of the Association. Photographs of the natural features on the site were taken at that time.

The property is located in the upper reaches of the Unami Forest, one of the largest remaining forested landscapes in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Natural Lands Trust

Milford Township

FISH, GAME AND FORESTRY ASSOCIATION

Natural Areas Stewardship ReportMARCH 2008

The stone walls on the site suggest a history of agriculture in the eastern half of the property. Fertile grounds on the floodplain closer to the creek and along the northern and eastern property

Natural Lands Trust ~ Hildacy Farm ~ 1031 Palmers Mill Road ~ Media, PA 19063 ~ 610-353-5587 ~ www.natlands.org

Stone wall from earlier years of agricultural use on the MTFGFA property.

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Milford Township Fish, Game and Forestry Associat ion Stewardship Report

NATURAL LANDS TRUST

boundaries, were used for crop farming during the last century (see 1938 aerial photograph); red-cedar snags in the rocky slopes above the creek indicate use as pasture. A cave in the central portion of the site is thought to have provided shelter for Native American Indians.

The site supports both upland and wetland forests and is bisected by the Schmoutz Creek, running north to south along the eastern side of the property. The property slopes gently from west to east towards the creek, with the highest elevations at the southwestern corner along Canary Road.

The area is underlain by diabase rock which is highly resistant to weathering, water infiltration, and groundwater movement. Diabase landscapes are often steeply sloped and wooded, with numerous surface outcrops and boulders.

Plant Resources

The three broad plant communities on the property are described below with invasive species noted in bold.

A maturing terrestrial (upland) mixed hardwood forest, best described as a mix of red oak-mixed hardwood and tuliptree-beech-maple forest, covers most of the western half of the eased property on slopes leading down to the Schmoutz Creek. This community is dominated by red oak (Quercus rubra), tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera), American beech (Fagus grandifolia) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum) with subdominant canopy species including red ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), black cherry (Prunus serotina), white oak (Quercus alba), shagbark hickory (Carya ovata), black birch (Betula lenta) and an occasional black walnut (Juglans nigra), bigtooth aspen (Populus grandidentata), sassafras (Sassafras albidum) and tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima). The forest understory includes sugar maple, beech, red ash, flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), with a shrub layer primarily made up of spicebush (Lindera benzoin), and less frequent blackhaw (Viburnum prunifolium), multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora), hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana), Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), and grape vine (Vitis sp.). Christmas fern (Polystichum

Aerial photographs: 1938 top, 2005 above.

Cave of diabase boulders thought to have been used by Native Americans.

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acrostichoides) was noted during the site visit, although few other groundcover species were visible due to the late winter season. Many surface rocks and boulders covered the slopes, as is typical of a diabase forest. We noticed healthy regeneration of the native canopy species on the forest floor of this community. Red oak was harvested from the forests 20 years ago by the contractor who installed the pond and stumps were noted in several areas.

A maturing red maple palustrine (wetland) forest in the northern portions of the property and extending down to the Schmoutz Creek is dominated by red maple (Acer rubrum) and red ash with pin oak (Quercus palustris) in streamside areas. The understory includes red maple, occasional flowering dogwood, eastern red-cedar (Juniperus virginiana), hornbeam, and hop-hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana), with silky dogwood (Cornus amomum) along the streambank. We noted spicebush, multiflora rose, and blackhaw in the shrub layer. Individuals of shrub honeysuckle (Lonicera sp.), Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii), and winged euonymous (Euonymous alatus) were seen near the streambank. Sphagnum species blanket the numerous rocks on the forest floor of this wetland community.

On the floodplain along Schmoutz Creek, three fields that were farmed in the last century are now succeeding to young red maple palustrine forest. Some skeleton cedars were noted in this area, another indication of an “old field” history. Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) was likely part of the understory of this young forest.

Water Resources

Water resources and wetland habitats on the site include perennial and intermittent streams, floodplains, springs, seeps, and a constructed pond. The ½-acre pond was excavated approximately 20 years ago, although the work was not completed and soils in areas south of the pond remain only partially excavated. An access road leads to the pond from Canary Road and was installed during pond excavation. The pond is fed by rain and groundwater. Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina), tree-of-heaven, and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) grow along

Red maple palustrine forest.

Tuliptree-beech-maple forest.

Young red maple palustrine forest near Schmoutz Creek.

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the berm at the northern edge of the pond, with areas of cattail (Typha latifolia) and common reed (Phragmites australis) encroaching in shallow open water areas. Japanese honeysuckle and multiflora rose are common on upland banks of the pond. The MTFGFA is interested in managing the pond for wildlife benefits and has installed wood duck boxes. There are plans to plant a food plot in an open area south of the pond.

Schmoutz Creek, a tributary of the Unami Creek, runs north to south for 1,350 feet through the property not far from the eastern boundary. A small intermittent, unnamed tributary runs northwest to southeast in this area, joining the Schmoutz Creek midway through the property. The Unami Creek and its tributaries are classified as “high quality, trout stocking fishery” streams by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, suggesting minimum levels of pollutants and contaminants. High quality waters are those watersheds and streams with “excellent quality waters and environmental or other features that require special water quality protection”. The MTFGFA stocks the stream and has created a series of small dams that create pools for the fish.

The red maple palustrine forest in this area serves as an important natural buffer for the high quality stream. The water resources on the property benefit resident and migratory wildlife by providing open water, feeding sites for waterfowl and wading birds and breeding sites for frogs and salamanders (seasonal pools) and fish and aquatic insects (rocky streambeds).

Current Use and Stewardship

The MTFGFA property is currently used for deer and small game hunting, target practice, fishing, educational events, and passive recreation such as bird watching and hiking. Stewardship priorities for the natural areas on the site include protecting wildlife habitat and providing opportunities for passive recreation. The MTFGFA is interested in addressing stewardship issues to enhance the natural features on their land.

Area of future food plot south of pond.

Schmoutz Creek.

Excavated pond.

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Stewardship Issues, Opportunities and Recommendations

The following stewardship issues and opportunities were observed during the visit to the MTFGFA property on March 3, 2008. They are described in the context of three overall stewardship goals for the natural areas:

1. to protect and enhance the existing plant communities to support local and migratory wildlife;

2. to maintain a safe and enjoyable environment for hunting and passive recreation; and

3. to protect the water quality of the surface and groundwater resources of Schmoutz Creek.

We have provided a summary of issues and opportunities for stewardship on the MTFGFA property that are followed by general recommendations to address the issue or fulfill the opportunity.

Invasive PlantsParts of the upland forest in the northwestern portion of the property are slightly impacted by tree-of-heaven and multiflora rose. This is a common issue in forests that have a history of soil disturbance associated with agricultural practices, pasturing, or forestry. We also noted grape vine climbing into understory trees and Japanese honeysuckle encroaching into edge areas. Grape vine can grow into a tree’s canopy and raise its center of gravity so that it becomes a collector of wind, ice, and snow and causes the tree to topple. Japanese honeysuckle can smother young trees and shrubs and prevent them from reaching the canopy to replace trees felled by old age, wind throw, or pathogens. We were also shown a small population of Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) along Canary Road. We recommend that the MTFGFA manage this invasive before its seeds reach the drainage basin and displace the native streambank and wetland plant species that form the base of the aquatic food chain of Schmoutz Creek.

Target range for bowhunters, a primary use of the MTFGFA property.

These standing snags in the upland forest are typical of the abundant dead wood that enhances the wildlife habitat value of the MTFGFA property.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

• Monitor and control invasive plants according to guidelines in the attached publication, Controlling Invasive Plants. Priority attention should be given to:

1. Japanese knotweed along Canary Road. Cut stems and treat resprouts with a foliar application of 2% Rodeo with 0.5% non-ionic surfactant.

2. Tree-of-heaven in the understory of the upland forest. Because this species has a thin bark, we recommend using a 20–30% mix of Garlon 4 in basal oil applied in a band around the base of the trunk, avoiding runoff. Depending on the

time of year, it may take time for this treatment to work; for example, a winter application may result in leaf out in spring, followed by defoliation. Once the trees are dead they can be cut down without stimulating suckering.

3. Multiflora rose and Japanese honeysuckle near the pond and streamside areas. Volunteers and scout troops could work to cut back or dig/pull out these species, although soil disturbance should be kept to a minimum.

4. Grape vines in the canopy and understory trees of the forests. Vines that are overtopping canopy and understory trees should be cut to protect trees from weight-bearing stress.

Invasive Japanese honeysuckle climbing shrubs and understory trees near pond.

Invasive tree-of-heaven in upland forest.

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5. Common reed in the pond. Since this is a small population, plants could be controlled by (a) cutting in the fall for at least two sequential years then removing cut materials from the site; and/or (b) cutting and injecting individual culms with Rodeo.

6. Winged euonymous, Japanese barberry, and shrub honeysuckle along the streambank. Cut these invasive species and treat the stumps with Rodeo.

• Any contractor hired for invasives control should be able to distinguish native species from invasive species, and in wetland areas, such as the red maple palustrine forest, should only use herbicides approved for aquatic use.

• Replant areas with native species where invasive shrubs and trees are removed to improve wildlife value and to protect steep slopes and streambanks from erosion. Consult attached publication Native Plant Materials for suggestions about preferred native species for this region.

• Contact the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry (PA BOF) at 610-582-9664 for additional recommendations and potential funding through the Forest Stewardship Program (FSP) or Forestland Enhancement Program (FLEP).

Forest RegenerationFor the most part, we noted healthy regeneration of canopy tree species in the forests on the property. The spicebush in the shrub layer is becoming dominant in some areas, suggesting an abundant deer population (deer generally avoid spicebush). Although 4–5 deer are taken each year from the property, members of the Association continue to observe many deer on the land as development increases in surrounding areas. The recommended deer density to allow for adequate tree regeneration is 20 deer per forested square mile (one deer per 32 acres). However, to perpetuate a healthy native forest with a diversity of native shrubs and wildflowers, the recommended deer density is 10 deer per forested square mile (one

deer per 64 acres). The habitat value of forests is greatest where there is an extensive unbroken canopy of mature trees with a diversity of native understory species that includes shrubs and herbaceous plants. Given that there are about 77 acres of forest on the MTFGWA property, the recommended number of deer that should be using this property to sustain a healthy forest is one to two.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Consider enhancing deer management opportunities by methods described in the attached publication Deer Management Options.

• Monitor understory vegetation for overbrowsing. If a browse line begins to develop or the shrub layer becomes heavily dominated by spicebush, increase hunting pressure with a focus on removing does in order to lower the deer population density.

Pond ManagementThe constructed pond on the property is used by waterfowl and likely provides suitable habitat for amphibians in the spring. Nest boxes have been installed in the open water habitat and have successfully attracted several pairs of wood ducks. We offer recommendations to enhance this habitat for wildlife and to provide educational opportunities for members of the Association and other community groups.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Consider installing a bird blind in the area of the pond to observe bird life in this habitat with minimal disturbance.

• Replace the tree-of-heaven and Japanese honeysuckle along the pond edge with native plant species, as suggested in the “Invasive Plants” section above. Keep the south side of the pond open for access and easy viewing of wildlife.

• In planning the food plot on the south side of the pond, consider using native perennial species that provide benefits to a wide range of wildlife species.

Streambank Stabilization and Dams

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Maintain vegetation overhanging the stream corridor. Riparian woodlands provide shade to surface waters and maintain lower water temperatures, permitting a greater diversity of aquatic species to survive. In addition, it is best to leave dead wood in the stream. When submerged, twigs and limbs provide structures and shelters for a variety of fish and organisms.

• Use cuttings from silky dogwood on the stream-banks as live stakes that can be placed along eroding streambanks for stabilization. Cut stems (18" lengths) and plant in early spring before leaf out. Make a pilot hole in the bank with either a dibble bar or a sledge. Using a rubber mallet, drive the stake into the bank at least 12". Stakes should be planted at a 45˚ angle facing downstream so that currents and debris do not rip them out. The lower end of stakes should be within 12" of the normal water line in the stream. Stakes are most successful when invasive species and low hanging branches are removed so they receive sufficient sunlight.

• Continue working with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to design dams that are most appropriate for sustaining fish habitat without hindering the migration of aquatic organisms.

Erosion along access road.


Breached dam across Schmoutz Creek.

Natural Lands Trust ~ Hildacy Farm ~ 1031 Palmers Mill Road ~ Media, PA 19063 ~ 610-353-5587 ~ www.natlands.org

General Property MaintenanceProper maintenance of trails, roads and boundaries is an important stewardship priority on properties with access for recreational purposes.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Address drainage problems along the access road by building a swale, installing waterbars or a drainpipe (8"–12") to move water to the lower side of the road. Consult the attached excerpt from the Natural Lands Trust Stewardship Handbook that addresses trail drainage.

• Consult with the Bucks County Conservation District (215-345-7577) for further recommendations about managing the drainage on the access road.

• Remove barbed wire fencing along the northeast boundary of the property to prevent injury to users or wildlife.

milford township fish, game and forestry association natural

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