https://branchtonlandtrust.webs.com/apps/photos/ Management Issues The land trust occasionally has to deal with neighbours encroaching on land trust land with garbage and structures. This photo shows an example from the spring of 2020. https://branchtonlandtrust.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=206268761 206268761 The spring of 2020 was an irruption year for Gypsy Moth Caterpillars in the Branchton Forest. There were millions of caterpillars eating forest leaves. https://branchtonlandtrust.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=206268762 206268762 The gypsy moth caterpillars leave the trees in the millions. This photo shows a web made by caterpillars on a neighbouring deck arbour. https://branchtonlandtrust.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=206268765 206268765 Gypsy moth females lay an egg mass containing about 100 eggs. Therefore each egg mass produces 100 caterpillars the next year. https://branchtonlandtrust.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=206268766 206268766 Many of the Black Oak trees were defoliated by Gypsy Moth caterpillars in June 2020. This photo shows the damage by early July 2020. https://branchtonlandtrust.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=206268767 206268767 Garlic Mustard is invading the forest floor of the Branchton Forest. This photo shows the amount of plants removed from the Branchton Forest by a neighbour of the forest. https://branchtonlandtrust.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=206268768 206268768 The goal of the forest management is to retain its pristine, old growth status. However, dangerous trees are cut down and laid on the forest floor to reduce the potential of injury of people who may be in the forest. https://branchtonlandtrust.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=206268769 206268769 In the summer of 2017 a strong storm brought down an ancient oak. The portion of the large tree still standing was damaged and dangerous. It was brought down in the spring of 2020. https://branchtonlandtrust.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=206280468 206280468 Three Branchton Village Land Trust Board members surveying the impact of a recent storm. https://branchtonlandtrust.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=206280469 206280469 This large Black Oak fell onto an adjacent property. https://branchtonlandtrust.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=206280470 206280470 Each year the Board members inspect the forest to look for dangerous trees. Such trees are simply laid down on the forest floor to rot naturally. https://branchtonlandtrust.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=206280471 206280471 Unfortunately some garbage is deposited into the woods each year. This is removed at least one a year. https://branchtonlandtrust.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=206280482 206280482 Professional tree removal people are needed for very dangerous works. https://branchtonlandtrust.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=206280483 206280483 The Land Trust management policy is to allow dead trees to stay standing, as long as they are not dangerous. As a result the forest is excellent habitat for woodpeckers. This photo shows recent work by a Pileated Woodpecker in his effort to find grubs in the rotting wood. https://branchtonlandtrust.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=206280497 206280497 The Land Trust policy is to not allow hunting in the forest. In past times the White-tailed Deer population became very high. But in recent years the population is much lower, and at a more sustainable level. https://branchtonlandtrust.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=206280503 206280503 Some people are very disrespectful of the forest. In the spring of 2016 the Board members found a large amount of salt dumped from a water softener. Such salt can be a major pollutant and damages the vegetation. https://branchtonlandtrust.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=206280504 206280504 Branchton Village Land Trust Board Members patrol the forest all year long, including in the winter. https://branchtonlandtrust.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=206280505 206280505