NEBRASKA CITY – The Nebraska Forest Service held its annual rural forestry meeting in Nebraska City where volunteers and experts are coming together to combat invasive species that are threatening to overtake urban green spaces and native woodlands.

Foresters from across the state were asked for their input Wednesday on a tour of Riverview Nature Park, which has a canopy of mature walnut, hickory and bur oak trees, but few middle-aged trees and a ground level infested with amur honeysuckle and tree of heaven.

Foresters described the park as excellent in terms of its mature trees, but note that the forest is not regenerating. As the century-old trees die, there are few native species to replace them.

 

Nebraska Agroforester Pam Bergstrom said the nature park is a work in progress.

Bergstrom: “Forestry is not an overnight situation where everything is cured. It’s going take process. It’s going to take a few years to get the honeysuckle and also to get the tree of heaven knocked back before it does show, with the native trees like the bur oak, the hickory and also the walnut to take over and also start regeneration --  regenerating the next generation of the forest with seeds.”

 

The tree of heaven is a problematic invader because it out competes native trees, smells terrible and is not well- controlled by being cut down. It is commonly associated with urban areas, but there is an increasing risk it will overrun parks and green spaces.

Bergstrom said success for the Nebraska City project could impact the rest of the state.

 

Bergstrom: “This would definitely be a flagship site to showcase to communities and also to nature areas that forest management is possible, but it does take love, sweat and tears and a little bit of blood to get that accomplished.”

Brad Kindler of the Forest Service led the tour with members of the Friends of the Riverview Nature Park who recognize the need for a long-term commitment to get the forest back to where it can regenerate itself with native species.