By Steve Taylor
Our February article on native azaleas showed a picture of a Pinxter Azalea (Rhododendron periclymenoides) plant along the Roosevelt Woodland Trail between Rochdale and Valley. Around that plant are 40+ small azalea sprouts, stunted by browsing deer. The Invasive Species Committee proposed the construction of an exclosure (an area protected against browsing animals) to allow these sprouts to grow.
In February, the Roosevelt Environmental Commission and the Borough Council approved the exclosure and the use of funds remaining from a Sustainable Jersey grant. On March 25, the committee (Kim Felong, Sharyn Walz, Bob Clark, Nick Murray, and Steve Taylor) constructed a 25’ x 25’ exclosure. We tried to make it unobtrusive. You may have a hard time finding it in the photo. It will remain in place until the small plants grow higher than the typical deer browse line. The exclosure will then be moved to surround other plants in need of protection.
Our February article on native azaleas showed a picture of a Pinxter Azalea (Rhododendron periclymenoides) plant along the Roosevelt Woodland Trail between Rochdale and Valley. Around that plant are 40+ small azalea sprouts, stunted by browsing deer. The Invasive Species Committee proposed the construction of an exclosure (an area protected against browsing animals) to allow these sprouts to grow.
In February, the Roosevelt Environmental Commission and the Borough Council approved the exclosure and the use of funds remaining from a Sustainable Jersey grant. On March 25, the committee (Kim Felong, Sharyn Walz, Bob Clark, Nick Murray, and Steve Taylor) constructed a 25’ x 25’ exclosure. We tried to make it unobtrusive. You may have a hard time finding it in the photo. It will remain in place until the small plants grow higher than the typical deer browse line. The exclosure will then be moved to surround other plants in need of protection.