Photo: Just a small part of the ultimate pile of brush Matt and his young gang pulled from the woods.

by Amy Martin, Greenbelt Guild coordinator

An impromptu work session last Saturday. Matt Cadwallader had a bit of spare time and a few younguns who needed a task or two. Here’s the report:

The Knoll 

The main meadow on Creekmere has a small levee of sorts between it and Dixon Branch, created when it was dairy cattle pasture. About midway toward the east end it contains a natural rock knoll where an entrance to the woods trails and access to the creek (albeit a slippery steep one) is located. On the map, it’s indicated as Caddo Beach.

A very large limb broke and was left hanging at the knoll entrance. A few weeks ago, a greenbelt team got the limb down, cut it up a bit, and stashed it. On Saturday, Matt and his young crew dragged the limb pieces out to the meadow edge, tied them up, strapped ‘em to his truck, and dragged all of it to the curb for bulk pick-up next week. So cool! 

With all these willing hands, we also dispatched about ten invasive big-leaved ligustrum over 20-feet tall that were choking out a lovely red oak and ash. Off to the curb with them as well. Once removed, we realized we’d also liberated several coralberry shrubs, a couple of Eve’s necklaces, and a cherry laurel. So satisfying!

I’ve collected seeds and plants to populate the knoll area this fall. Matt is pondering the possibility of a Scout-made bench there. 

The Lost Trail Connection

Walking the woods trail west toward Peavy, it slips through the currently overgrown Hidden Meadow, dips into a ravine, traverses some more woods, and then disappears into a jungle of giant ragwood. 

Matt and I conducted experiments to determine how to clear the ragweed mess. My reciprocating saw was useless on the flexible green stems. Lopping them individually was super tedious. But Matt’s monster weedeater made a good dent in the ragweed until it ran out of cord. 

So the woods trail is now open, though a bit wild in this stretch. After I whup up on the poison ivy exposed by the clearing, we’ll tackle it again (this Saturday probably) and also try a battery hedge clipper. The goal is to cut them down low enough to be mowed. 

Trail Mowing

Loving the rain, but sure is making it hard to mow the meadow trail. The loaned lawnmower is refurbed, gassed up, and ready to go. Sigh. Maybe late this week after we waylay the giant ragweed.

Seed Collection

Prime time right now for wildflower seed collecting in the main meadow — including the showy penstemon. It’s very fun! Look for a date soon, probably next week. It’s sunny in the meadow, so it’ll be in the morning.