Descriptions of Forest

Canterbury/GMS Parcel

In the 2013 DNR forest management plan, the trees in this parcel were noted to be of good quality and excellent growth. It is considered to be a one stand Northern Hardwood type since the species and size mix are consistent in the woods. There is mix of all ages of trees in the forest. This parcel has healthy, high quality mix of trees consisting mainly of sugar maple, white ash and basswood with lesser numbers of red, white and burr oak, black cherry, hickory (mainly bitternut hickory) and elm with a small amount of ironwood. Several dead elm were found but were most likely killed from Dutch elm disease.

The largest trees in the woods are mainly oak and sugar maple. The larger oaks mostly likely grew when there was less shade in the forest and will most likely not regenerate naturally in the future. The forest is generally open from undergrowth, with most saplings being sugar maples, which is to be expected since it’s the most shade tolerant tree in Wisconsin. There is some brush on the sides of the forest consisting of a few dogwood and buckthorn. There are larger fallen trees in the forest in various stages of decay which students would be able to use while studying ecosystems. There are also hollow trees providing habitat for wildlife. Other plants besides trees include WI forest natives such as trillium, anemone, blue cohosh, bloodroot, mayapple, Solomon’s Seal and Virginia waterleaf. Invasive species include: buckthorn (primarily along the borders of the forest), garlic mustard and near the edges yellow archangel, burdock, pigweed and lamb’s quarters. Wildlife in this area includes and is not limited to: white tail deer, raccoons, chipmunks, squirrels, and various birds, including blue jays, cardinals, chickadees, robins, woodpeckers, owls, and crows.

High School Parcel

In the 2013 DNR forest management plan, this site is very similar to that of the Canterbury/GMS woods. Like the other parcel, this one is a mix of oak and northern hardwood tree species that show good growth and vigor and has no sign of insect or disease issues. However, this parcel has more oak and less sugar maple trees. Basswood, white ash, hickory, and cherry along with some ironwood in the understory make up a sizeable presence in the woods as well. The largest trees are oaks, with the more shade-tolerant trees making up the medium to smaller-sized trees. This indicates that over time, this parcel may look more like the one at the Canterbury/GMS woods.

This entire stand area generally slopes to the southeast towards the stream and marsh area on county land. At one location nearest the forest opening on the school side, concrete blocks were found. Community members talked about how this was the site of cookouts decades ago.

At the time of the 2013 DNR report, there was quite a lot of buckthorn located on the outer edges of the forest. In the late summer of 2015, an event organized by a Greendale Eagle Scout coordinating with the Greendale School District and the Greendale DPW cleared a significant portion of the buckthorn and also saw the revitalization of existing trails.

Wildlife in this area is similar to the Canterbury/GMS woods parcel along with recent coyote activity as observed by teachers and students hearing calls early in the morning.