Thanks to Tom Collins, nearly an acre of a forest in Smyrna is thriving. He practices forest management by being alert to non-native invasive plants that might creep into the area. Mature American beech (Fagus grandifolia), multiple oak trees (Quercus), hickory species (Carya), American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana), and many understory trees were on the property, but Tom has added treasures like Franklin tree (Franklinia alatamaha), bigleaf magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla), and bladdernut (Staphylea trifolia). After eradicating the non-native invasives, the native woodland wildflowers have a chance to grow like rue anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides), bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadenssis), star chickweed (Stellaria pubera), and Catesby’s trillium (Trillium catesbaei). The creekside portion of the lot hosts beechdrops, (Epifagus virginiana), jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), and yellowroot (Xanthorhiza simplicissima). Congratulations on the Gold Level Certification!
