Chrome Activity Report for 6th September 2014

Title: Workday Report FSLSB Chrome Barrens 6 September 2014 

Attending: Anna Hull, Sarah Miller and Henry Whitesel

Location: Upper Chrome Serpentine Barrens; Serpentine areas in the northeast corner. 

Working Conditions: We met at 0900 and quite about 11am. The weather was very humid and increased to 85 when we ceased work at 1100. The day was cut short because of other obligations by the volunteers and the fact that we do not work without a minimum of 3 volunteers.  

A special thanks to Sarah Miller a new volunteer who came out for the first time on a very hot day. We hope she returns soon. The working conditions should quickly improve as we progress into fall. 

Volunteer time donated: 6 hours. 

Accomplishments: The Northeast barrens clearings were maintained last winter and spring. During the summer the invasive trees made a big comeback in growth; see first picture showing a clump of invasive trees that have sprung up in the last 3 months. Second picture shows Anna Hull and Sarah Miller, about to cut some small invasives; the summer growth is plainly visible in the background around the big oak tree that we intentionally left in the middle of the clearing. This wet weather this summer has apparently helped the invasives as well as the warm season grasses. 

We whacked and removed some of the invasive trees, primarily consisting of red maples. This area will need additional maintenance within the next year to remove the invasives before they get large. There is also at least another days work to clear the grown up area at the east side of this clearing that has not been maintained for about 10 years. 

Reporter: Henry Whitesel