by Carl Strang
In earlier posts I have written about the restoration work going on at Mayslake Forest Preserve. Today I want to share some of the positive results that already are visible. The prairie was burned in late March, and as usual looked like a desolate moonscape afterward.
This week that same area is green with vigorous growth.
Meanwhile, the slope between the friary and May’s Lake has greened with diverse plants.
In places there are abundant oak seedlings, the potential next generation that had no chance beneath the dense buckthorn and honeysuckle brush that was cleared out over the winter. Members of both the white and red oak groups are visible here.
In addition, Virginia waterleaf is flowering in good numbers all along the slope.
Toward the bottom of the hill some wild geraniums have begun to bloom.
Nearby are some Rubus which key out to common dewberry.
A red-osier dogwood was one of the woody plants carefully avoided by the brush-clearing crew, and it is flowering.
Earlier I showed the abundant trout lilies, toothworts, three species of buttercups, dutchman’s breeches, trilliums, violets, wood anemones and so forth. More will follow.
Nature Inquiries 
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