Repairs Completed After Hurricane Sandy Downs 100 Trees within the South Branch Restoration Site

After moving along most of the Atlantic Coast as a Category 1 storm, Hurricane Sandy made landfall in New Jersey on October 29, 2012. It was the second costliest hurricane in the United States, following the infamous Hurricane Katrina that devastated New Orleans. Coastal towns of New Jersey were subjected to quickly rising tides and severe waves generated by the storm, and the interior of the state dealt with the strong and violent winds of the storm. Across many towns, downed trees resulted in serious and dangerous damage to both property and the power grid.

Upon inspection of the South Branch Preserve Restoration Site in Mt. Olive, we discovered over 100 trees fell, many landing one on top of another, with over a third of these trees crushing portions of the deer exclosure fencing surrounding the Restoration Site. Fallen trees can be beneficial to the property by promoting new growth and habit for many species. But, loss of the fence’s integrity placed the new plantings and sensitive native flora at great risk of loss by deer over-browsing. The exclosure fence protects the native plantings and allows the understory a chance to thrive and create a healthy forest.

Removing the trees and repairing the extensive damage to the exclosure fence was going to be an arduous task that would take time. Time we did not have, only a few days after the storm, deer tracks could already be found inside preserve. The Budd Lake Hilltop Rod & Gun Club quickly agreed to help and by mid-December had cut and removed the trees so the fence could be repaired. Staff carefully re-hung the damaged fencing and the Dodge Foundation generously provided financial support to purchase replacement fencing and materials. The exclosure fence repairs have been completed and deer are once again restricted from the site. The absence of deer as well as the increase in microhabitats from the downed trees will improve the health and diversity of the flora and fauna of the area.