Trail Crew

Last week we were joined by 2 members of the Woodbridge Land Trust and had a whole crowd clearing a swath at Luke Hill Preserve.  Downed trees and branches got removed and barberry got dug up.  We made quite a lot of progress but there is still more to do to cut a trail all the way to the stream so we are going back this week to take up where we left off. Useful tools will be loppers, pick mattocks, rootslayers, hedge trimmers, small saws and a chainsaw. We will meet at 9 AM on Wednesday, November 27 on Luke Hill Road between #80 and #96.  

Last week the marque sign was installed at Rodell’s Roost, issues were addressed at Donnelly, and we finished the new trail leading down to the stream at Hall Preserve. This week we are going to work at Luke Hill Preserve.  It will be similar to Hall, in that there is no trail and there are quite a few invasives.  Norm and Bob H will be marking the boundary and the rest of us will be cutting a trail down to the stream which ,rads to the Sargent River.  Useful tools will be lopers, hedge trimmers, and shovels for digging up invasives where possible.   We will meet on Luke Hill Road between #80 and #96 on Wednesday, November 20 at 9 AM.  

Last week we worked at Hall Preserve.  We enlarged the fencing protecting the hybrid chestnut trees, pulled barberry and mowed down the brush surrounding them.  We began cutting a new trail through the nearly impenetrable thicket of multifloral rose, barberry and downed trees and made it to the end of the stone wall, where it opens up a bit more. This week we will take up where we left off cutting the trail, only now it will be mostly barberry and downed trees here and there.  Useful tools will be loppers, brush cutters, hedge trimmers, leaf blowers and a chain saw.  There will be places where the barberry needs to be tackled.  The reward will be making it down to the clear stream area. In addition, Bart and 2 people (Bob and Norm?) will install the marque sign at Rodell’s Roost, and Chuck and 2 people (Joe and Tim?) will clear rocks at Donnelly Preserve and then join the rest of us. For those going to Hall, we will meet just north of 144 Downs Road on Wednesday November 13 at 9 AM.

Last week the trails throughout the Welch Parcels were cleared, trees blocking the trail were cut and the stone steps coming off the stone wall were improved.  This week we are going to Hall Preserve.  Our 2 young hybrid chestnut trees need to have their protective fencing removed and replaced with a much large fence, the area needs to be brush cut to allow passage, and we are going to try to cut a trail down to the stream through the barberry.    Useful tools will be lopers, hedge trimmers, shovels, leaf blowers, rootslayers, brush cutters, etc.  Note: this is tick season, we recommend wearing clothing which repels ticks and/or has been sprayed with Sawyers tick protection.    The preserve is on Downs Road, just north of 144 Downs Road.  To minimize cars parked along the road, park in Kerry’s driveway, which is 132 Downs Road.  We will meet at 9 AM, Wednesday November 6.  Hope to see you then!