2002 Draft Natural Resources Management

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Community RW-U7 Nlesic Oak Forest Qualitative Rank: C Nonnative Shrub Rank: l�4 This oak forest is found in two areas, one is on a slightly rollinb to moderately sloped south- facing hiljside on the narth�vestern most segment of the park, tivhile thc othcr is just east of the intersection of Victoria Street and Roselawn Avenue. Similar to RW-U-1 the canopy of this forest is generally closed with a mix of tall, straight trees and those that are more open-jrown. L'ur, and pin oaks are most common and average approximately 12-18 inches across the community. White and red oak are also found here, but are less common than in the other oak forest parcel (RW-U-1). The canopy of this forest avera�es about 70 to 90 percent closure, with smaller trees growing up under the oaks iri many places. These youn�er trees include black cherry, American elm, green ash, and less frequently boxelder. Wherc canopy gaps occur between the oaks, these youn�er trees have, or wili soon fill them in. The shrub layer is moderately thin to very thick and includes a moderate3y both smail trees and true shrubs. The most common shrubs are the nonnatives European and glossy buckthorn. Efforts to control this shrub in the south portions of this community have been successful and should allow native plants a better apportunity to establish here. Less common mernbers of the shrub iayer include boxelder, jreen ash, black raspberry, gooseberry and red-berried clder. The ground laycr composition reflects a recenC, and relativeZy fast transition from a semi-open area to almost closed canopy. The prevalence of nonnative shrubs, aIong with the recent increase in shadiness and absence of natural disturbances such as fire have all likely been a factor in delaying the establishznent of woodiand flowers and �raminoids. The ground layer also ine�icates a history of moderate to intense lona-term grazin� because of the amount of thorny species. Citv of Roseville 129 Parks Nat«ral Resource Management