PART V: Grassland Management

PRAIRIE RESTORATIONS

estoring a prairie may occur Prairies were grasslands, which in two ways: (1) rehabilitat- had few if any trees. Barrens, on Ring a degraded site, or (2) the other hand, may have had sev- reestablishing a site by planting a eral trees scattered across each new prairie. Before any manage- acre of their landscape. Savannas, ment techniques can begin, it is which served as transition areas important to determine if the site between grasslands and forests, was historically a prairie and to had many trees per acre but not identify any prairie plants still grow- more than 50 percent canopy ing. This chapter will guide you cover. Grassland specialists classify through the step-by-step process most savannas as either oak savan- needed to restore your prairie. nas or jack pine savannas. The most scenic of these were the oak species of wildlife, serving as Landscape savannas of southwest Lower important breeding, feeding, nest- Perspective Michigan, which extended as far ing, and brood-rearing centers. Before settlement, Michigan north as Newaygo county. A large Bobwhite quail, wild turkeys, blue- grasslands were mainly barrrens, area of dry prairie existed along the birds, meadowlarks, bobolinks, and savannas, and wet prairies with a Detroit River, and the state's largest other songbirds eat the abundant few dry prairies. Dry prairies, in wet prairie occurred for 16 miles insects and seeds that prairies pro- particular, disappeared quickly along Saginaw Bay from vide. Mice, voles, shrews, and because they often grew on rich Quanicassee to nearly Bay Port and woodchucks, along with many soil and were easy to clear for was three miles wide at its widest kinds of ground-nesting birds, raise farming. Researchers have identi- point. Wet and dry prairies occur- their young there. fied at least 39 prairie areas that red in Wayne and Oakland coun- existed prior to European settle- ties. Presently, Detroit Metro-poli- Prairie plants encourage infil- ment. They ranged in size from 80 tan Airport is sitting upon a histori- tration of water into the soil acres to 25 square miles. cal wet prairie where remnant because their root systems are Estimates of the amount of prairies prairie plant species still persist. deep. Better percolation increases when Michigan was first settled is recharge of ground water. Besides about 2.35 million acres, and they The Importance of making better use of water, they were mostly confined to portions of Prairies are very efficient at removing nutri- the Lower Peninsula, which were ents such as nitrogen, phosphorus, Prairies are an important part lightly timbered and contained and potassium from the soil. These of any ecosystem where they occur. large park-like openings called long-lived plants can tolerate sea- They provide key habitat for many savannas, barrens, or prairies. sonal flooding, drought, and other severe environmental events.

Prairies often become estab- lished in areas where flooding, fire, or other disturbance limits competi- tion from trees and shrubs. Wet prairies, for example, may be under water part of the year; dry prairies may grow in sandy soils too dry for as scattered clumps across a grass- The way to do that is to first iden- trees and shrubs. Fires, whether land or opening, or you may dis- tify your goal. If you want to occurring naturally or lit deliberate- cover them as bunches in several restore an oak savanna or barren, ly by Native Americans, played a smaller areas. Living treasures, for example, then allowing limited dominant role in the ecosystem these remnant prairies are a snap- tree growth on the site is accept- because they encouraged native shot to past native systems, and able. But if the goal is to restore a grasses and forbs (wildflowers) to every attempt should be made to tallgrass prairie, then trees must be grow and discouraged the restore them. eliminated and kept out. If rem- encroachment of trees and shrubs. nant prairie plants simply do not For species descriptions, refer exist, you may have to start over Prairie Identification to the chapter on Warm Season completely. One of the first steps to deter- Grasses in this section and to the mine whether or not you have a Wildflowers chapter in the Tree and Shrub remnant prairie is to check histori- Backyard Management section. Removal cal maps showing the presettle- Sumac, aspen, black locust, ment vegetation for your county. Prairies may be stable grass- autumn olive, hawthorn, honey- Your local Conservation District land systems where the invasion of suckle, buckthorn, and raspberry office has these maps, which show trees and shrubs does not occur. are aggressive species that often the forests, prairies, and wetland However, more commonly, there is take over Michigan's native prairies. types discovered by Michigan's encroachment of oak, pin cherry, If any of these aggressive species original surveyors. However, the spirea, sumac, aspen, autumn exist on your restoration site, maps are representative only to a olive, june berry, sassafras, and remove them by cutting them scale of 20 acres, and so smaller white and jack pine. between July through September areas may have been overlooked. and immediately applying a For this reason it is also important Evaluating the glyphosate herbicide such as to look for remnant prairie plants Restoration Process Roundup to the stump. Be sure to on your site in areas that may have The section covers follow all label directions. contained grasslands historically. Wetland restoration and management of wet meadows, fens, and wet On sites with high densities of The best way to identify prairie prairies. This chapter focuses on oak, hickory, or black walnut, you grasses and wildflowers is to carry the restoration of dry prairies, bar- will need to remove or greatly a field guide containing color pho- rens, and savannas. The three key reduce their numbers. Left tos or drawings. Major grasses to methods of restoring them include unchecked, such species increase look for include big bluestem, little the following: to the point where they shade the bluestem, Indiangrass, and switch- ground and will not let grasses and grass. Key wildflowers are rough (1) tree and shrub wildflowers grow. Use a chainsaw blazing star, gray-headed cone- reduction or removal on larger trees or a limblopper on flower, common evening primrose, (2) prescribed burning, which those that are sapling size. butterflyweed, black-eyed Susan, may be followed with inter- Another method to kill them is to moth mullein, seeding of prairie plants cut a two-inch deep band around swamp milkweed, (3) the new planting of the site the trunk at two feet cardinal flower, above the ground Joe-pye-weed, For best results, choose the and another two hoary puccoon, method that produces the greatest inches higher. To aster, coreopsis, benefit with the least amount of complete this tick clover, bee disturbance to the ecosystem. "girdling" treatment, balm, prickly pear Remember that in most prairie use an ax or hatchet cactus, horse- restorations, you are dealing with a to remove the bark mint, and round- sick patient. The way to health is between the two headed bush to nurture the patient over time. cuts. black-eyed clover. You may Susan find these plants “girdling” PRAIRIE RESTORATIONS

Prescribed Burning Interseeding is the process of sow- (1) The use of conventional ing seed into the existing soil. farm tillage to prepare the and Interseeding Hand broadcasting, machine site by killing or removing On sites where many prairie broadcasting, or drilling with a no- all former vegetation plants currently exist and there is till planter are interseeding meth- before planting. limited competition from trees and ods. When broadcasting by hand (2) the use of chemicals to shrubs, a prescribed burn is in or machine, prepare a mixture of eliminate all present vege- order. Fire increases prairie plant 50 percent seed and 50 percent tation, and a no-till drill to growth, flowering, and reproduc- perlite, vermiculite, or cracked incorporate the seed into tion and lengthens their growing oats. The material will help carry the soil. season, while reducing the growing the light, small seeds and enable season for weeds. Further, fire you to spread them at recommend- With either method, plant dur- helps control invasion by killing ed rates. Divide the site into sec- ing the period May 1 to June 15. woody plants and returning impor- tions to ensure that you will have Native grasses and wildflowers tant nutrients to the soil. enough seed to cover it uniformly. need only be planted 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch below the soil. However, it A prescribed burn is a planned Try to match the seed mix to is not uncommon to see seed sit- fire that is burning for a specific the soil type, using plants that like ting on top of the surface after purpose. First, create a burn plan, moist conditions or sites in low- planting. For more information, which includes discussion with local lying areas and plants that prefer see the chapter on Grass authorities, obtaining any required dry soils on upland sites. For best Planting in this section. permits, and observing all restric- results, secure local seeds, collect- tions and safety procedures. These ing from on site or as close to the Post-Planting include carrying out the burn on a site as possible. You should always Maintenance day with light wind and relatively check with landowners for permis- The amount of weed seed pre- low humidity in early spring or late sion. After broadcasting the seed, sent in the planting site is usually fall when vegetation is dry. For incorporate it into the soil by shal- the most variable and unpre- more information, see the chapter low (less than 1/2 inch) hand-rak- dictable factor in prairie restoration. on Prescribed Burning within ing, dragging, disking, or by the There is no way to predict with cer- this section. pressure of a cultipacker. For sites tainty the amount of weed compe- larger than three acres, a no-till tition that will be present during For remnant prairies that have drill is the best way to get the the first few years of restoration. low plant densities or lack a variety seeds into the ground. of prairie plants, consider inter- Landowners can do four things to Planting reduce the weed problem: seeding after the prescribed burn. In highly degraded areas, such (1) plant as late as possible in as former spring, agriculture (2) mow or hand weed to fields, where reduce shading very limited or (3) burn at prescribed times no prairie (4) spot apply herbicides plants exist, (5) have lots of patience burning will not be enough Give the site at least three full to ensure a years because the clump-growing quality native grasses require that long to restoration. establish themselves. After the Planting a first growing season, it is not new prairie uncommon to have only one plant may be per square yard. The grass may the best man- only be six to eight inches tall dur- agement prac- ing its first year of growth and dif- tice. Consider two methods: PRAIRIE RESTORATIONS

40 Acres

wet prairie oak wet prairie forest

Existing features

Road

House & yard TR Stream TR & PB PB Habitat projects

TR Tree removal PB Prescribed burning to restore prairie WF Wildflower planting prairie planting

WF prairie planting

This map is an example that demonstrates the many management options discussed throughout this chapter. The option(s) you choose should depend not only on your goals, but the location, condition, and present use of your land. ficult to recognize until it grows a a delight to observe. In winter, the seed head in late summer of year copper color of standing bluestem two. After the second growing sea- provides beauty to a stark land- son, each plant may be one to two scape while affording protective feet tall and occupy a square foot cover for many kinds of wildlife. or so. By the end of the third grow- ing season, you should have an established stand of native grass three feet or taller, depending on the species planted.

In summary, restoring a prairie is exacting, time-consuming labor that requires patience. Once established, however, prairies will need only periodic maintenance. FOR ADDITIONAL CHAPTERS CONTACT: Not only are they a key type of Michigan United habitat for many birds and small Conservation Clubs mammals, but they offer pleasing PO Box 30235 diversity to the landscape. Native Lansing, MI 48909 517/371-1041 prairies with their ever-changing kaleidoscope of wildflower color are

Private Land Partnerships: This partnership was formed between both private and public organizations in order to address private lands wildlife issues. Individuals share resources, information, and expertise. This landowner’s guide has been a combined effort between these groups working towards one goal: Natural Resources Education. We hope this manual provides you with the knowledge and the motivation to make positive changes for our environment.

FOR ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE: CONTACT YOUR LOCAL CONSERVATION DISTRICT