Plantings critical in restoring the natural state of the South Branch Preserve

While the physical restoration of the South Branch Preserve may be complete, ongoing monitoring of the property is now critical. When the site was altered for residential development, many plants and trees were destroyed. These have now been replanted on the site, helping to bring it even closer to its pre-development state. Several steps are being taken to ensure they take root and survive onsite.

Some new plant growth on the South Branch Preserve Restoration Site

Among the trees and shrubs planted are Sugar Maples, Red Maples, Black Cherry, Silver Dogwood, Beardstongue, and Swamp Milkweed. In total, over 300 trees and over 700 shrubs were planted throughout the South Branch Preserve Restoration Site. Given some time to grow, the forest will be on the rebound within five to ten years!

Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve has completed a Plant Stewardship Index (PSI) for the site. The PSI measures the ecological integrity of native plant communities and establishes a standardized measure of the effectiveness of our land management practices over time. The PSI was conducted by a team of botanists inventorying each of the plant communities on the site. The final report shows that the South Branch Preserve Restoration Site has one of the highest diversities of plant species inventoried in New Jersey.

While the new plantings begin to grow, it is also important to keep an eye on the spread of non-native species on the site. These “invasive” plants thrive on disturbed sites, making it more difficult for native plants to survive. The Land Conservancy’s Stewardship team is working with our restoration experts to provide every opportunity for native saplings, seeds, and shrubs to thrive.

An Invasive Species Report by Ecological Solutions found that two of the most pervasive non-native species at the South Branch Preserve are Japanese Stiltgrass and Japanese Barberry. Deer and other animals tend to avoid these plants in favor of native species, further encouraging their spread. Each of these species can be found on nearly half the acres in the 135-acre site. In total, twenty non-native species are present on the site.

This map shows the extent of non-native species present in different areas of the South Branch Preserve site.