Four Mounds Park Ecological Restoration Plan Adoption Copyrighted
March 18, 2019
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 16.
ITEM TITLE: Four Mounds Park Ecological Restoration Plan
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending approval and adoption of the
Four Mounds Park Ecological Restoration Plan.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receiveand File;Approve
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Four Mounds Park Ecological Restoration Plan-MVM City Manager Memo
Memo
Staff Memo Staff Memo
Ecological Restoration Plan Supporting Documentation
THE CITY OF Dubuque
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AIFA�erlwGh
UB E '�� III►
Masterpiece on the Mississippi Z°°'�w'2
7A13 2017
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Approval of Four Mounds Park Ecological Restoration Plan
DATE: March 13, 2019
Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware and Planning Services Manager Laura Carstens
recommend City Council approval and adoption of the Four Mounds Park Ecological
Restoration Plan.
The Parks and Recreation Commission unanimously recommended approval of the
Plan at their March 12, 2019 meeting.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
�L;� 1��, ���,��
Mic ael C. Van Milligen �� �
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Marie L. Ware, Leisure Services Manager
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
THE CTTY OF Dubuque
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ui���eNe�ary
DUB E 'il��i;'
Masterpiece on the Mississippi Z°°' Z°'Z
2013 2017
TO: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Marie L. Ware, Leisure Services Manager
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
SUBJECT: Approval of Four Mounds Park Ecological Restoration Plan
DATE: March 13, 2019
INTRODUCTION
This memo transmits the Four Mounds Park Ecological Restoration Plan for City
Council approval and adoption.
BACKGROUND
Four Mounds Park is a 60-acre public park rich in history and natural resources owned
by the City of Dubuque. It is located at 4900 Peru Road on the north end of the City of
Dubuque along the Mississippi River. As the last remaining intact gentleman's farm in
lowa, Four Mounds Park also is a City-designated Historic Landmark Site.
The City of Dubuque leases Four Mounds Park to the Four Mounds Foundation. The
Foundation was formed as a not-for-profit organization in 1987 for managing and
stewarding Four Mounds Park. Four Mounds Foundation operates an Inn and
Conference Center while providing community-building, local foods, and youth service
programming to thousands of Dubuque residents every year at the park.
Four Mounds Park provides a spectacular experience for residents and visitors to
eastern lowa. The park's unbelievable views of the Mississippi River, unique history,
archeology and architecture give it national significance. Over time, Four Mounds Park's
green space and natural wooded areas have experienced erosion and sediment loss.
Increasing numbers of invasive plant species have added to the stormwater
management issues on the park's rolling and sometimes rugged terrain.
DISCUSSION
In June 2018, the Four Mounds Foundation approved the selection of Prudenterra to
create an Ecological Restoration Plan for Four Mounds Park. In March 2019 the plan
was finalized and adopted. The plan development cost was $5,600 and was covered
100% by the Foundation.
The City has an agreement with the lowa Department of Natural Resources for a
Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Grant#19-R4-FW in the amount of
1
$200,000 to begin phase 1 implementation of the Ecological Restoration Plan.
Prudenterra staff inet with Four Mounds Foundation and City staff to develop the Four
Mounds Park Ecological Restoration Plan. The City review committee members
included Park Division Manager Steve Fehsal, Natural Resources and Sustainable
Practices Specialist Jeff Ahlers, Planning Services Manager Laura Carstens, and
Assistant Planner Chris Olson. Four Mounds Conservation Manager Jay Potter was
heavily involved in the plan development, as were representatives from U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Services and the lowa DNR. The City of Dubuque's Parks & Recreation
Commission, the Historic Preservation Commission and the City Council, as well as the
Dubuque County REAP Committee, were all updated throughout the REAP application
and plan development processes.
The Ecological Restoration Plan takes an enhancement approach, building on the
existing native plant communities at the park. This incremental approach will increase
native plant and animal diversity, improve ecosystem functions, invite safe and
enjoyable visits, and reduce long-term maintenance costs of the park. The Ecological
Restoration Plan is a phased plan over the course of 10 years. Major restoration and
management activities will include:
. Removal of invasive trees, shrubs, and herbaceous species
. Thinning of young, aggressive native trees from the understory
. Increasing the diversity of native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants
The Parks and Recreation Commission at their March 12, 2019 meeting reviewed the
Plan and unanimously recommended approval.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommend City Council approval and adoption of the Four Mounds Park
Ecological Restoration Plan.
attachment
cc: Steve Fehsal, Park Division Manager
Christine Happ Olson, Assistant Planner
F:\Users\Colson\Grants\2019 FY-REAP Four Mounds\Memo MVM 4 Mounds Park Eco Restoration Plan.doc
2
65584 260'"Streei � Nevada, lowa 50201 � (575)382-1239 � IukeCa�orudenterra.com
PRUDENTERRA
Four Mounds Park Prairie, Savanna and Forest Management Plan
far
Four Mounds Foundation
ATTN: Chris Olson and Jay Potter
4900 Peru Road, Dubuque, IA 52001 I
chris@fourmounds.ora
iavla�fourmounds.ora
FOURMOUNDS
i�iii:si:iivF. Fi�ucni�i: si:rivi:
Land assessed in: June-July, 2018
Plan written in: June, 2018 to February, 2019
By Luke Gran, Forester and Annie Fangman, Project Manager
PRUDENTERRA
65584 260th Street
Nevada, IA 50201
(515) 382-1239
luke(a�orudenterra.com
annie(�orudenterra.com
Report Submitted on: February 27, 2019 Revision submitted on: March 5, 2019
Final Plan signed by client on March 5, 2019
Site Location:
Dubuque Township, NW'/,of Section 1, NE '/<of Section 2, T89N R2E, Dubuque County, lowa
Land area:
60.05 acres
Luke Robert Gran Jay Potter
Print Name Print Name i
�- P-��> !
Forester's Signature CI' Ys ignature I
March 5. 2019 March 5, 2019
Date Date
Restoring lowa's Native Ecosystems prudenterra.com Page 1 of 704
PRUDENTERRA
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUTTHE AUTHORS 3
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 3
LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES 5
PURPOSE OF THIS PLAN 7
BACKGROUND AND SITE INFORMATION 7
LAND MANAGEMENT VALUES AND OBJECTIVES 8
LANDFORM AND SOILS INFORMATION 10
METHODS 13
EVALUATION 15
CURRENT CONDITIONS 16
Prairie 16
Savanna 19
Forest 21
Cultured Area 44
WILDLIFE SPECIES OF GREATEST CONSERVATION NEED 47
BIRD INVENTORY AND PRIORITIES FOR BIRD CONSERVATION 50
BURN PLAN 53
TRAILS AND UNPAVED ROADS 54
NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS 55
TIMELINE AND BUDGET OF MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES 59
WHY DO THESE ACTIONS 66
ENVIRONMENTAL, ECONOMIC, AND SOCIAL IMPACTS 73
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 74
EMERGING THREATS AND OPPORTUNITIES 75
APPENDIX 76
REFERENCES 103
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 2 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
ABOUTTHE AUTHORS
Luke Gran is the owner of Prudenterra and is a Certified Forester with the Society of American Foresters
(SAF). After graduating from lowa State University (B.S. Forestry, 2008), Luke created Prudenterra to
interpret ecological communities and opportunities to lowa landowners. While working part-time for
private landowners and learning from his mentor, naturalist Carl Kurtz, Luke worked at the non-profit
organization Practical Farmers of lowa. In 2014, he went full-time with Prudenterra. Luke grew up in
Newton, lowa and serves on the board of directors of the lowa Prairie Network. Luke is a certified
Technical Service Provider (TSP) with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) approved to
write plans for forest management, prescribed burns, and pollinator habitat. He lives outside of Nevada,
lowa on a farm with his partner, Sally.
Annie Fangman is the Project Manager at Prudenterra and works with crew members and clients by
planning, organizing, and implementing ecosystem restoration projects across lowa. Annie is from Des
Moines, lowa originally before moving to Ames to study landscape architecture and environmental studies
at lowa State University (BLA, 2012). Her education included a semester at Humboldt State University
focused on ecosystem restoration and sculpture studio arts. Before coming to Prudenterra, Annie was the
Natural Resources Coordinator at Prairie Rivers of lowa. Other work experience includes farming at an
organic CSA vegetable farm, and producing planning and design services for the ISU Landscape
Architecture Extension Program.
Chris Olson and Jay Potter of the Four Mounds Foundation
Plan Reviewed by:
Greg Schmitt, Private Lands Wildlife Biologist, lowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Gregg Pattison, Private Lands Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
Stephanie Shepherd, Wildlife Diversity Biologist, lowa DNR;
David Bridges, District Forester, lowa DNR;
Nicholas Banwarth, Natural Resource Technician, Dubuque County Conservation Board;
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Many great people have contributed to putting this plan together. The dedicated staff inembers and board
of directors of Four Mounds Foundation -the staff are a tiny but mighty force that have a great sense of
service to their unique mission. Thank you to the Dubuque families who donated this land for public
enjoyment, recreation, and appreciation of the unique structures, cultured areas, and natural features.
Thank you to the indigenous peoples who came before us and whose land management actions helped
promote diverse forest and grassland plant communities. We are still learning so much about the value of
human land management in our natural environment. We recognize through this plan the impact of
invasive species, selective timber harvest, suppressed and prescribed fire, built structures and roads, and
"no managemenY' on the natural ecosystems we still rely on for clean water, clean air, hunted game
meats, wild edible plants, soil retention, wildlife habitat, carbon sequestration, pollination, beauty,
psychological wellness, temperature moderation of our homes, and economic values of timber, tourism,
leased hunting, etc. We thank those who have taught us to see new things each day we are in nature,
and are humbled to continue a process to interpret the trade-offs of management and take actions to
steward the land.
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 3 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Three native ecosystems (prairie, savanna and forest) are present at Four Mounds Park. At present they
exist mostly in a state of decline in habitat value because of past land management choices and new
ecological threats. Commitments to new management throughout the entire 46.5 acres in the Ecological
Zones and persistence to apply these tactics is necessary to realize the vision of the Four Mounds Park
land managers. Periodic maintenance such as prescribed fire, hand pulling and targeted foliar herbicide
management of invasive plants will be necessary to sustain these plant communities after initial
investments of management is completed as described in this plan.
The following are the current threats identified in the inventory and are addressed in this management
plan: invasive plants such as Oriental bittersweet and bush honeysuckle cover about one-half of the
ecological management land areas. High levels of soil erosion due to stormwater runoff from cultured
areas, improperly designed, constructed, and maintained woodland trails. Overstocked and understocked
forest stands mostly in transition from oak dominant to maple/basswood dominant forest types. Excessive
white tailed deer populations may be limiting the success of native shrub layer and midstory plant growth
in the forest. Coarse woody debris and standing dead trees (also known as snags) are below optimal
levels for offering high quality wildlife habitat. These current conditions, coupled with past management
including individual tree selection timber harvests of black walnut has contributed to a failure to
regenerate some of the highest value hardwood species for both wildlife and timber values (such as white
oak and black walnut). Rare prairie wildflowers and other plants exist in small numbers of individuals,
scattered around in isolated patches of open, sunny areas. It is possible that some of the prairie and
savanna species what existed here before the 1960s may have been extirpated from this site by the
mixed hardwood forest growth since about that time. Yet, as of 2018, many species remain to be
restored.
Continuing the recent efforts of new management practices (tree cutting, prescribed fire) and adding new
tools and techniques can help improve ecological value of the land. By 2019, expert woodland trails and
botanical inventory and analysis will be performed at this site to better understand existing trail erosion
and the remnant prairie plant communities. By 2029, this plan calls for about 20 acres of woody trees and
shrubs to be cut, piled, and burned from prairie and savanna remnants. These same 20 acres are to be
repeatedly burned during the dormant season. About 25 acres of invasive species will be strategically cut
stem or foliar sprayed with herbicides. Young invasive plants in about 25 acres will be hand pulled by
volunteers (repeatedly in the case of garlic mustard) until management objectives are achieved. "Risk or
Hazard Trees" will be identified, felled, or pruned. A little more than one acre of prairie, three acres of
forest trees, and three acres of shrubs will be planted and established. 20 acres of trees will be
strategically thinned using the forestry management technique known as Crop Tree Release. Two miles
of sustainable native surface walking trails will be constructed and maintained.
Collaboration is essential with all land management consultants who influence actions on this site (such
as landscape architects, agency or municipal staff, and private contractors) driven by continuous
feedback from land managers overtime who maintain the ecological and cultured area in the center of the
property to ensure efforts in each space are complementary and working towards a common vision.
If no forest thinning actions are performed, the forest is forecast to grow in value over the next twenty
years from $41,546.10 to $75,792.60 and grow in volume from 115,916 to 119,637 board feet. If the
thinning actions are performed, that value is estimated to increase to $104,470 by 2038, a growth of
$28,677 (38% increase) compared to the no action alternative. This increase in value is achieved by
producing 4,858 more board feet of the following species: oaks, black walnut, and shagbark hickory
compared to the no action alternative which would produce more mixed hardwood timber such as eastern
cottonwood, black cherry, and elm.
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 4 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 5 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES
Figure 1. Stand map of ecological and cultured zones reflecting desired future conditions 9
Figure 2. Desired land use graphic 10
Figure 3. Graphic of soils associations found at Four Mounds Park 10
Figure 4. Soils Map 11
Figure 5. Diagram of wildlife habitat inventory sampling 13
Figure 6. Stand map of Four Mounds Park 14
Figure 7. Photograph of wildlife monitoring 15
Figure 8. Photograph of goat prairie at sunset 16
Figure 9. Photograph of remnant prairie encroached by invasive shrubs 18
Figure 10. Photograph of remnant upland bur oak savanna recently restored by cutting 19
Figure 11. Photograph of remnant white oak savanna 20
Figure 12. Photograph of dense canopy of leaves typical of sugar maple 21
Figure 13. Photograph of Stand E10BE 22
Figure 14. Initial tree density by size class and tree species 24
Figure 15. Initial basal area by size class and tree species 25
Figure 16. Initial merchantable timber volume by size class and tree species 26
Figure 17. Current and simulated future relative timber volume 27
Figure 18. Photograph of forest floor filled with sugar maple seedlings 28
Figure 19. Map of current coarse woody debris by stand 31
Figure 20. Map of current bare soil percent cover by stand 31
Figure 21. Map of current shrub layer by stand 32
Figure 22. Map of current percent cover of Oriental bittersweet by stand 33
Figure 23. Photograph of Oriental bittersweet 34
Figure 24. Map of current percent cover of bush honeysuckle by stand 35
Figure 25. Photograph of bush honeysuckle 35
Figure 26. Map of current percent cover of common buckthorn by stand 36
Figure 27. Photograph of common buckthorn 37
Figure 28. Map of current percent cover of multiflora rose by stand 38
Figure 29. Photograph of multiflora rose 38
Figure 30. Map of current percent cover of garlic mustard by stand 39
Figure 31. Photograph of garlic mustard 40
Figure 32. Map of current percent cover of Japanese barberry by stand 40
Figure 33. Photograph of Japanese barberry 41
Figure 34. Photograph of Russian olive 41
Figure 35. Photograph of a medium sized standing dead tree or snag 42
Figure 36. Map of the location of two significant white oak stands 44
Figure 37. Yellow-breasted chat photo 51
Figure 38. Burn Plan 53
Figure 39. Social Trail Photograph 54
Figure 40. Timber volume comparison with and without management 67
Figure 41. Current and simulated future relative timber volume with management 68
Figure 42. Timber volume of oaks, walnut, and shagbark hickory increases with management 69
Figure 43. Timber value of oaks, black walnut 70
Figure 44. Timber value of all species 71
Appendix: List of Figures Continued
Figure 45. George Catlin; View on the Upper Mississippi, Beautiful Prairie Bluffs 76
Figure 46. George Catlin; Dubuque's Grave, Upper Mississippi 77
Figure 47. George Catlin; Beautiful Prairie Bluffs, Upper Mississippi 78
Figure 48. 1830s Historic Vegetation Local 79
Figure 49. 1830s Historic Vegetation Site 80
Figure 50. 1875 Andreas Atlas 81
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 6 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
Figure 51. 1930s Aerial Photograph 82
Figure 52. 1960s Aerial Photograph 83
Figure 53. 1980s Satellite Image (color infrared) 84
Figure 54. 2002 Satellite Image 85
Figure 55. 2007-2010 Satellite Image 86
Figure 56. 2016 Satellite Image 87
Figure 57. Topography 88
Figure 58. Hillshade Satellite Image with Stand Map 89
Figure 59. Stand E1A Photograph 90
Figure 60. Photograph of possible exotic ornamental vine 91
Figure 61. Stand E2B/E1A Photograph 92
Figure 62. Stand E10A Photograph 93
Figure 63. Stand E7 Photograph 94
Figure 64. Stand E8C Photograph 95
Figure 65. Stand E3/E4A Photograph 96
Figure 66. Stand E4D Photograph 97
Figure 67. Stand E4A Photograph 98
Figure 68. Stand E6A Photograph 99
Figure 69. Stand E6A Photograph 2 100
Figure 70. Stand E10C Photograph 101
Figure 71. lon Exchange Seed Mix 102
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Priorities Valued by Client 8
Table 2. Soil map units description 12
Table 3. Relative abundance of prairie plants found in goat prairie 17
Table 4. New vision Prairie zones current plant community description 18
Table 5. New vision Savanna zones current plant community description 20
Table 6. Sawtimber volume by species with estimated value 28
Table 7. New vision Forest zones current plant community description 29-30
Table 8. Percent cover invasive species 2018 and forecast 2028-2038 33
Table 9. Acres and percent forest below optimal levels for snags 42
Table 10. Snags per acre by forest stand for three sizes of snags 43
Table 11. New vision Cultured Area zones current plant community description 44
Table 12. American Chestnuts by Izaak Walton League 45
Table 13. Site specific SGCN by Habitat Type Summary 47
Table 14. Priority Wildlife in Dubuque County lowa that may be supported at Four Mounds 48-49
Table 15. Bird SGCN observed at Four Mounds recently 50
Table 16. Bird SGCN not observed recently that may be supported with management 52
Table 17. Prairie areas management proposed 55
Table 18. Oak savanna management proposed 56
Table 19. Forest management proposed 57-58
Table 20. Cultured Area management proposed 59
Table 21. Land Management 2019 59-60
Table 22. Land Management 2020 61
Table 23. Land Management 2021 62
Table 24. Land Management 2022 63
Table 25. Land Management 2023 64
Table 26. Land Management 2019-2028 65
Table 27. Forest Thinning 66
Table 28. Financial Assistance 74
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 7 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
PURPOSE OF THIS PLAN
This will be used to help prioritize and organize land management activities at Four Mounds Park. It will
inform and educate the broader public, who are the stakeholders of this land, about activities underway
and those to come in the future. It will guide volunteers and staff on specific management activities,
timelines, and cost estimates, and be used to coordinate efforts to seek financial assistance to achieve
the management objectives and desired future conditions of the Four Mounds Foundation. It will identify
strengths (rare plants growing in remnant ecosystems), weaknesses (small staff, limited equipment and
expertise, lack of credentials/insurance/licenses), opportunities (new enterprises, volunteer tasks, or
grants for fundraising), and threats facing the ecological resources and land managers. It will evaluate the
habitat values currently of woodlands and describe management steps appropriate to increase those
values following the management guiding principle "to do the right thing".
BACKGROUND AND SITE INFORMATION
The site's location near the City of Dubuque's 57,637 residents (as of the 2010 U.S. Census), attractive
offerings of a stunning river view, undulating topography, unique cultural history and rich prehistory offers
great value to the public currently and is forecast to increase in value overtime. The non-profit
organization that manages the site can maintain this valuable resource currently facing ecological threats,
if restored to diverse resilient plant communities of prairie, oak savanna woodland, and forest stimulated
by ecological disturbance, and strategic forest management.
Four Mounds Park is about 60 acres of land and various barns and other structures owned by the City of
Dubuque and managed by a non-profit organization, the Four Mounds Foundation. About 40 acres of
additional land is managed by the Four Mounds Foundation to the south of this site about one-half a mile.
Three full-time staff inembers, several part time staff members, and a dedicated crew of volunteers
maintain and manage the site. To date, most management resources have been spent within the cultured
area of E11. Revenue is generated from the sale of bed and breakfast inn stays, grants, donations, and
community service functions such as the winter market each December. Between 1906 and 1987 the land
was privately owned. The land was used for grazing livestock through approximately 1945. Mowing of flat
areas was a management disturbance used to keep some areas open from trees thereafter through the
end of private ownership. Home fruit and vegetable gardening, ornamental flower gardens, and timber
production were other land uses throughout the time of private ownership.
New land management efforts have recently begun at Four Mounds Park. Actions taken have included
tree removals by chainsaw with stump herbicide application, forestry mowing, and prescribed burns have
occured in the west facing slope, areas E1 B and E1A. Prairie reconstruction by broadcast seeding has
also occurred in about six acres. These actions have been performed over the past few years due to the
initiative of dedicated staff inembers of Four Mounds Foundation and diverse partners including the
USFWS, and transmission utility ITC Midwest.
Four burial mounds, constructed by indigenous people between 600 and 2,200 years ago in the late
Woodland period, are preserved on this site, located within stand E9.
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 8 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
LAND MANAGEMENT VALUES AND OBJECTIVES
The most important land management values of Four Mounds Foundation are: 1) Ecology, 2) Visitor Use,
and 3) Historic and Prehistoric Preservation. In 2018, a brief survey of the two staff responsible for land
management at Four Mounds Park completed a values raking worksheet. Table 1 shows how they rated
each value. Most of the values were rated very high or high, signifying a great level of interest and care
for the quality of ecological zones.
Table 1. Priorities valued by the client(staff members Jay Potter and Chris Olson)ranked in order of importance as of 6/23/2018
according to the"Forest Landowner Goals and Objectives"worksheet provided by Prudenterra.
��
Develop land with Manage forest for
Maintain habitat for certain wildlife infrestructure(new two-way Work on the land(cut Protect or revenue
(wide diversity of non-game species road and visitor center, frewood, mow trails, build restore (nuts/seeds,
including songbirds) ensure fre safety, bridges&trails,clear brush) wetlands agroforestry,
outbuildings) timber)
Protect and improve water Grow trees,shrubs,or Cut Develop land for
Scenery(mounds intentionally wildflowers Qo effciently frewood livestock
diffcult to fnd by outsiders) 9uality(soil erosion,human maintain viewsheds,screen for own (browsing by
waste) parking lots) use goats)
Recreation for others(public day Restrict livestock
use, private inn, events,ropes Better understand the natural access to
course, orienteering,trail walking& systems impacting my land woodlands
hikin hunt sheds&mushrooms, and leam how to work with
9' nature (stretegic goats
snowshoe,cross-country ski) OK)
Slow,end, and/or prevent soil
erosion
Privacy,peace, and solitude(quiet Limit the damaging use of
urban noises,maintain limited land by others by facilitating
lighting) sustainable,low impact uses
Protect ecological and cultural Protect land for conservation
resources from development With easements or other
methods
Maintain a healthyforest
Protect rere and endangered plants
or animals
Protect historic and prehistoric
features
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 9 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
In twenty years, FourMounds Park will have:
1. Reduced the average percent cover of invasive species in ecological areas from about 50% in
2018 to 125%(a 97.5%redudion).
2. Restored 3.45 acres of oak-hickory savanna woodland maintained open with regularfre and/or
strategic goat browsing disturbance.
3. Successfully regenerated white oak in at least 20% of the forest (about 47 acres) and other
valued hardwood tree species such as black walnut, shagbark hickory, bur oak, red oak, and
black oak in about 8 acres.
4. Managed about 20 acres of mixed hardwood forest to highlight old, large oaks present, provide
optimal sunlight levels for enhanced tree health, and strategically select high quality co-dominant
diverse native trees for promotion to the next generation.
5. Reduced soil erosion from trails, stormwater runoff by 95%from current levels, and decreased
bare soil percent cover values in all ecological zones from 22.6%to 5%weighted average, a
77.9%redudion.
6. Improved forest wildlife habitat value measured by percent cover of coarse woody debris from
7.3%to 20%weighted average, a 174%increase.
7. Improved forest wildlife habitat value measured by percent area of forest below optimal levels of
standing dead trees from 64.6%to 32%, a 95%percent decrease.
8. Maintained 12 acres of reconstructed prairie to help keep '7iverviewshed" open for human
visitors to Four Mounds Park and to provide pollinator and wildlife habitat.
9. Preserved cultural features at current levels of quality including the integrity ofthe indigenous
peoples burial mounds.
10. Achieved greater engagement with the public with a visitor center, interpretive signage, and up to
two miles of non-motorized walking/hiking trails.
11. Expanded the size ofthe land under its management from 100 to 200 acres.
12. A larger staff from three to six regular,full-time employees to better serve visitors and provide a
greater impad on the community.
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Figure 1.Map defining the locafion of diverse nafive plant communities desired and to be achieved through implementafion of this
management plan at Four Mounds Park. Parcel lines of neighborhood shown in thin black line and 2018 pmperty boundary is shown
in thick,black dashed line.
FourMoundsPark Praine,Savanna,andForestManagementPlan Page10of104
PRUDENTERRA
Cultured
13.55
Forest
39.5%
19.35
Prairie
-�� � � Savanna
5.7%
Figure 2. Chart of the Four Mounds Park land use after completion of management plan. The values inside each slice of pie are
acres of land and the percent area of that slice in comparison to all land is shown below the name of the land use.
LANDFORM AND SOILS INFORMATION
This site is located on a bluff along the Mississippi River in the southernmost portion of the Paleozoic
Plateau landform. This region in lowa has not been glaciated as recently as has the rest of the state of
lowa. Rocky outcroppings in this area are exposed paleozoic-age bedrock deposited about 544 to 245
million years ago. During this period of time the land of lowa was covered in a tropical marine
environment of vast, shallow inland seas. Over the course of time the strata became deformed and
fractured with widespread cracking evident throughout the region. For more information see pages 84-87
in Jean Prior's excellent work Landforms of lowa. Weathering, erosion from the high knobs to the low
draws and natural drainages has created the steep terrain we now see today with the richest soils found
in the lower draws and bottoms and the thinnest soils with least amount of organic matter in the upland
highest points.
��b\ �� ��— � Figure 3. This drawing
.-`�, � � rsort omvo Fayene / is from Page 8 of the
" � Fayene Noroneb � �� - — �q � Dubuque County lowa
'�rb \� ���� ��`� �/ Soil Survey. It shows a
���� � \,`1 Are�viue �� p�y�o� / � typical pattern of soils
' _� � . 7� �i�dfey !�� /,,. and underlying
� , �� v�as ,,,r � �- ��R ,� matenal in the Fayette-
" / � Nordness association.
`� • � �� : `� (/, a This diagram shows
�•�' 1' umesrone how the soil types are
e
�an �,� Bedrock � found in various slope
positions on this
undulating topography
�� A���^^'�^� ��� at Four Mounds Park.
Four Mounds Park Prairie, Savanna, and Forest Management Plan Page 11 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
According to the Web Soil Survey' all soil types Nund at FourMounds Parklikely developed underforest
vegetafion due to the presence ofan E honzon (eluviatedzone)in the soil profile. However, the mapsare
not definitive at such a fine scale as we are using them so it is possible the soils are som ewhat diffarent
than the map projects.The two m ost com mon soil rypes are the Nordnessa2ock outcrop complex, 18 to
60 percent slopes�, and Seaton silt loam, 9 to 14 pement slopes, moderately emded. These two soil types
make up about 64% of the property.
Nordnessa2ock outcrop complex is a silt loam soil type found in the stands along the north and west 200
feet or so of the property. All of stand units E8B, E8D, E10A, E10C are made up of this soil as well as
most of E1A and E2B and the westem on�third of E1 A. This soil is only about 13 inches thick before
hitting hard bedmck. There is the presence ofan E honzon at4-9 inches depth.
Seaton silt loam, moderately emded is similarto Fayette and was fortn ed in 60 inches of loess (wind
deposited sedimenry with forestvegetation.An E honzon is presentatthe depth of3-9 inches. However,
the areas where treeswere removed and mw crop production and/orpertnanentpasture grazing was
pertortned have been im pacted by a significant loss of topsoil. This is the soil type found in E10D, the
eastem two-thirds of E1 A, southem half of E10BE, and much of the west half of the cWtured grounds,
E11. Areas of Four M ounds Park with Seaton silt loam without the m oderate erosion impact Rom histonc
land managementactionsare stands E4Aand E4C, the north halfofE3, and the middle onefhird of E6A.
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PRUDENTERRA
The third most common soil type is Fayette silt loam, between 5 and 14 percent slopes making up about
17% of the property. Like Seaton, this soil type was formed in more than 60 inches thick loess with forest
vegetation. An E horizon is present at the depth of 4-9 inches. The east half of the cultured grounds are
composed of this soil type as well as the whole of E6C, E7, E8A, and E8C. Much of E5 and E9 are also
made up of this soil.
Two different soil types make up about 16% of the area: Nordness silt loam, 18 to 35 percent slopes; and
Seaton silt loam, 18 to 25 percent slopes. Nordness silt loam soils formed in 8-20 inches of silty sediment
and residuum (mostly mineral materials of what is left after limestone parent material dissolves away from
weathering) with forest vegetation. An E horizon is present at a depth of 4-9 inches. Stands E4B, E4D,
E6B, the south half of E3 and the southwestern most corner of E1A are made up of this soil.
The remaining 3% is composed of the Arenzville-Chaseburg complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes. This soil
type is unique in that it formed fairly recently from 20-40 inches of silty stratified alluvium over an older soil
which may not be present for the first 40 inches. It is believed that forest vegetation helped form this soil
type but the soil does not yet have a clearly defined E horizon because it is such a relatively young soil.
This is a diverse soil that may have characteristics of both the Arenzville series and the Chaseburg series
at different parts of the area. Stands E1 B along the western edge of the Park and the northernmost
boundary, the bottom of the steep slopes found in areas E2A and E2B are made up of this soil type.
For more information about the soil types at this property see the Dubuque County lowa Soil Survey
document available online2.
Table 2.Soils Map Unit Legend which corresponds to the Soils Map(Figure 4)adapted from the Web Soil Survey. Percent shown is
the approximate area of Four Mounds Park made of of each Map Unit or Soil Type.
129B Arenzville-Chaseburg complex, 1 to 5 percent slopes 3.1%
163C Fayette silt loam,5 to 9 percent slopes 8.8%
163C2 Fayette silt loam,5 to 9 percent slopes,moderetely eroded 0.4%
163D Fayette silt loam,9 to 14 percent slopes 7.9%
478G Nordness-Rock outcrop complex, 18 to 60 percent slopes 33.8%
499F Nordness silt loam, 18 to 35 percent slopes 9.4%
663D2 Seaton silt loam,9 to 14 percent slopes,moderetely eroded 29.8%
663F Seaton silt loam, 18 to 25 percent slopes 6.8%
Total 100.0%
�httos:/iWww.nres.usda.aov/InterneVFSE MANUSCRIPTSlowa/IA061/0/dubuaue.odf
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 13 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
METH005
Foreetlnrentoryueiqg SYreti(ied, VerielMe RediuePointSempling
Revlewetl �M1e ecologl�lzone map pmvltletl byJay Po��erantl motlilietli�sligM1�ly basetl on soil �ype
cM1angesantl �opograpM1yln ortler�o spli� up �M1eloreAln�o 9antls olsimilarage,speoes, antl s�e
tliAwbanm M1iAory.
A� IeaA�M1�ee p�ism poin� plo�spe�slantl o��wo poin�s pe� ave, wM1lcM1eve� lsg�ea�e�we�e colledetl.
TM1ese poln�swere seletletl hom a tli9ance ol a� IeaA one aveage tree M1eigM1� away hom �M1e etlge ol�M1e
stantl �owartls�M1eln�erior,antl no doser�M1an100lee�awaylmm eacM1 o�M1er.
A Basal Area Fatlor (BAF)20 prism was usetl tlue �o �M1e M1igM1 tlensi�y or large siea ol�M1e �mnks ol trees
In �M1isloreA. EaM plo� M1atl a hrge� numberoP'In"�reesa� leaAA antlles�M1anlOilpossble.
TM1elollowinglnlorma�ion wascolledetl�. tree species, tliame�era� brea9 M1e�qM (tl b M1), me¢M1an�able
M1eigM1� In M1al!or NII logs. One log Is 161ee� long. TM1e tlass o! eaM sampletl tree (acmp�able gmwing
AOW, o cep�ablegmwingAock) wasalsotle�erminetlAtreeolacmp�ablegmwingAOWwasan
In�ermetlla�e�m-tlominan�, ortlominan� tree o(gootl (orm, (ree (mm any majortle(edso(�M1e (ollowing
species sugarmaple, oaks, blaWwalnW, antl sM1agbarkM1lWory.
empe
Wildli(e HefvteNnrentoryu.vng Sheti(red, F;ad Rediue Plot Sempliqg
single 1(20�M1 awe plo� per stantl In an area �M1a�was tle�erminetl �o be laltly represen�a�ive ol�M1e
stantl asa wM1ole, permn� mvero(Invasive speciesantl tlown wootly ma�erialswere mlletled AIiA o(all
ve plan�swasrecortletl aswellas�M1elrpercen� coverolalllivinglealor9em�issues ol�M1e area
wi�M1ln �M1ei(20�M1 ave plot To tle�ermine �M1e tlown wootly ma�erialsmaking up �M1e �ypl�lloreA�oorin
eaM plo�, an eAima�e ol�M1e per�n�ageso@are soil, litledall Qine Ieaves,�wigsles�M1an 1 cm tliame�er
a� �M1e witleA poin�),line wootly tlebris (banMes�M1a� are be�ween 1 cm �010 cm a��M1e witle9 poin�) antl
ootly tlebris(bancM1esgrea�er�M1an IDcm a� �M1e witleA poin�) was mlletled Seven quatlats
wi�M1lo�M1e 1(20�M1 ave plo� were sampletl by�M1mwing �M1e bll�more Ai W�o �M1e gmuntl beM1intl �M1e (oreAer's
ba W. W oking wi�M1ln �M1e square ol spam tlelinetl by �M1e Ieng�M1 o!�M1e bil�more Aick,a permn�age value o!
eaM tlown wootly ma�erialslntlia�orwasassgnetl.
PRUDENTERRA
Four mil-acre (1/1000th of an acre) plots were located at the cardinal directions along the perimeter of the
1/20th acre plot. The percent area of any plants occupying the shrubs understory layer(native or
non-native shrubs and trees species)was recorded.
In a single, 31/100th acre (a circle with a radius of 66 feet) plot per stand with the same plot center as the
1/20th acre plot previously mentioned, the presence and qualities of standing dead trees (also known as
snags) greater than 5 inches d.b.h. was also recorded including their species, d.b.h., height, and if
cavities were present. If a cavity was present, its height above ground and approximate size of exterior
opening was recorded.
Extrapolated forest measurement data was generated by inputting the inventory data collected into a
computer model called Timber Inventory Growth & Economic Review(T.I.G.E.R.)forestry software3. Two
products were used: T.I.G.E.R. for Woodlands and Compartments, and T.I.G.E.R. for Stratified Sampling.
Diameter distributions by species were exported from the program into a separate spreadsheet software
and a chart was made.
Analysis of percent cover bare soil, down woody debris, snags, invasive species, and land use were all
completed using a spreadsheet software and charts exported into this document. Maps showing color
shadings by stand were made manually using the software program Adobe Illustrator.
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Figure 6.Stand Map of the ecological and cultured zones at Four Mounds Park with 2018 property boundary in cyan.Stand
boundaries were defned by soil type,asped,land use,and disturbance history.
'For more information see wwvo.cwmsoRware.com/
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 15 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
EVALUATION
Repeat forest assessment every 10 years and compare with the 2018 data collected to determine
whether the management activities are achieving the land management objedives.
Perform wildlife monitoring per the recommendations and assistance of Greg Schmitt of the lowa DNR or
Gregg Pattison of the USFWS.
1. Herpetofauna (amphibians and reptiles)
a. Use cover boards and monitor them once per month in Apnl, June, and August and
document species found. Place cover boards in the month of March on a north/east
facing slope, south/west facing slope, along the bottom of a draw and the top of the ndge
in a rocky outcropping zone.
2. Pollinators (buttertlies and bumblebees)
a. Visual Encounter Surveys(VES)
i. Pertorm VES (up to six throughout the growing season (May through September)
with Greg Schmitt of the lowa DNR or another knowledgeable person.
3. Bird survey
a. Follow new protocols recommended by Greg Schmitt of the DNR or continue with
existing survey methods.
4. Small mammals
a. Perform pit trap survey with a wildlife person according to standard protocols
recommended by the DNR.
If this management plan is successful, the abundance and diversity of species (including those of greatest
conservation need and special concern)should be measurable and increase over time.
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Figure 7. Scientifc monitoring for ihe species of reptiles ihat are using ihe site is a new management prectice proposetl to atltl to
Four Mountls Park.
Four Mountls Park Preirie,Savanna,antl Forest Management Plan Page 16 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
CURRENT CONDITIONS
-.,l ��:�':
•r
tl7�`'
,M , �:r� � l�
FigureB.Goatprainein 1
thenorthwestpartofE1A �
faang NortFORhwest.
!' r
Preirie
About 18 species of native prairie wildflowere(forbs and legumes), and seven grasses have been
observed over the past decade. The authors have identifed the following list and has provided a rating of
relative abundance in two bnef surveys in the months of July and August 2018 shown in Table 3. Most of
these plants were found in the "goat prairie" remnants in area E1A.
Aerial photography of this site is provided in the Appendix. It shows that signifcant prairie areas were
present in the 1930s through 1950s.After that time, dense forest development occurred in the mow moist,
steeper draws,with a few scattered areas along the flat ridges remaining open with mowing.According to
prairie ecology studies by Dr.Thomas Rosburg of Drake University the seed of prairie plants do not
survive for decades in the soil seed bank as wetland plants tend to. Once woody vegetation has occupied
the land, choked out sunlight from the grassland, the plants cannot persist and the seed in the soil only
will remain viable for about a decade. It may be found in time that the diversity of the prairie once present
in the 1930s has been somewhat degraded since that time. Only time with direct sunlight, and fre
disturbance will reveal what remains to be restored.
Cut and pile adivities and a bum have been pertormed in Areas E1A and E1 B in the past five years.
There remains to be one-third to one-half of these areas covered in trees or shrubs at this time. The
species of trees currently in the prairie areas are pole-sized red oak, black oak, black walnut, ash, elm,
mulberry, and small sawtimber cottonwood mostly located in the cool, moist draws throughout the site.
Sparse scattered large diameter bur, white, black, and red oaks remain in the drier areas along the
ridges. One portion of the northwest corner is dominated by pole-sized and small sawtimber eastern red
cedars and dense invasive species Oriental bittersweet, bush honeysuckle, Russian olive, and common
buckthorn. Small polesized mulberries and elms are also present in this section.
Recent effods to eliminate trees underneath the utility lines that are located in stand E1 B has resulted in
dense shrub regeneration including native sumaq dogwood, and non-native invasive shrubs common
buckthorn, Russian olive, and bush honeysuckle. Oriental bittersweet vines are also present.
FourMoundsPark Praine,Savanna,andForestManagementPlan Page1]of104
PRUDENTERRA
Table 3.Species list and relative abundance(vc=very common,f=frequent,o=occasional, s=sparse)listed by plant type(gresses,
legumes,forbs)sorted by genus in alphabetical order.
Grasses
Andropogon gerardii Big bluestem o
Andropogon scoparius Little bluestem f
Boutebua curtipendula Side-oats grama vc
Dichanthelium oligosanthes Scribner's panic grass f
Elymus canadensis Canada wild rye grass o
Sorghastrum nutans Indian grass o
Sporobolus heterolepis Prairie dropseed o
Legumes
Amorpha canescens Leadplant vc
Chamaecrista fasciulata Partridge pea s
Dalea purpurea Purple prairie clover f
Desmodium illinoense Tick trefoil f
Lespedeza capitata Round headed bushclover f
Forbs
Anemone cylindrica Gray Thimbleweed o
Asclepias verticillata L. Whorled milkweed o
Asclepias tuberosa Buttertly milkweed s
Campanula rotundifolia Harebell s
Euphorbia spp. Spurge f
Kuhnia eupatorioides False boneset f
Monarda fistulosa Wild bergamot o
Parthenium integrifolium Wild quinine o
Ratibida pinnata Yellow coneflower s
Rudbeckia serotina Black-eyed susan o
Sisyrinchium campestre Bickn. Blue-eyed grass s
Symphyotrichum spp. Frost aster f
Verbena stricta Hoaryvervain o
Prairie seeding has occurred recently (see Figure 71 for species list and rates applied) in about six acres
of cleared areas accessible by a tractor in the eastern part of E1A. An unknown, presumed to be an
ornamental vine (see Figure 60) is found occasionally.
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 18 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
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Figure 9. Remnant"goat prairie"under threat of buckthorn invasion in the west part of E1 A looking southwest.
Table 4.Newvision Prairie zones at Four Mounds Park table corresponds to stand map of future conditions at Four Mounds Park
(Figure 1). Each stand includes approximate size(in acres),and current level of stocking by trees. A description of its current plant
community supported in each stand as of 2018 is listed. If a stand will have more than one future condition plant community, its
relative area within the stand will be listed [in brackets].
. .
• •
West and south facing slope with several draws, an uneven aged stand.Openings with full sun and recent fire
E1A, (14.5), disturbance are growing native prairie wildflowers and grasses.Several pockets of large and small sawtimber
Understocked eastern cottonwood, pole-sized black walnutthroughout.Sparse bur, black, red, and white oaks with savanna
growth forms.One area in the northwest corner is dense cedar/mulberry/buckthorn.
Bottom of the backslope and footslope along the road. A utility line managed by ITC Midwest is suspended
above much of this stand.Trees have been removed in the past five years and native prairie vegetation is
E1 B, (2), present.Very common sumac, dogwnod native shrubs and non-native invasive species honeysuckle, buckthorn,
Understocked Oriental bittersweet have become established. Rocky uneven terrain makes mowing management of this area
challenging. Proximity to the road and topography leading to swirling makes prescribed fire(smoke
management)a challenge.
E2B, (1.7), Steep,west facing, even aged stand.Very common abundance of pole-sized eastern red cedar and buckthorn
Overstocked thickets among rocky outcroppings.Also home to large honeysuckle shrubs,Oriental bittersweet vines.
E8A�/V�/3], (0.8), Uneven aged northeast facing slope. Occasional large sawtimber hackberry and red oak are 22-28"d.b.h.
Understocked Sparse downy hawthorn is only present on the land in this stand. Garlic mustard is very common.
E8C[E Y�], North facing slope viewshed for the Gray House. Shrubs and scattered large sugar maple, invasive species
(0.35), bittersweet and garlic mustard.
Understocked
19.35 acres Total
Four Mounds Park Prairie, Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 19 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
Savanna
Large sawtimber oaks (black, red,white, and bur)with low, lateral branching indicative of a once open
woodland ofwidely-scattered trees are present around the E1A stand boundary.The most spectacular
example of savanna dominated by white oak(Quercus alba)is located in area E10BW. In the absence of
grazing/browsing and burning disturbance, ironwood, basswood and other diverse trees have
regenerated. A somewhat limited diversity of woodland plants are present at this time in the savanna
areas but this is typical of recently restored savanna. More frequent burning over time will be needed to
better understand the potential diversity that may be remaining on this site.
Savanna formed trees are located in almost every forest stand on this property, including the North facing
slopes. This is interesting because ofthe microclimates found on north and east slopes tend to be cooler
and wetter- more challenging to get ignition of forest fuels in high humidity, moist conditions. This means
that at the time of the white oaks growing as young tree seedlings(200 or more years ago)there must
have been frequent fres ocwrring. This could be explained by the proximity to the railroad at the bottom
ofthe hill to the Northeast- coal fred engines were shooting out a lot of embers. Intentional or
unintentional ignition by humans from early European settlers, or Indigenous peoples' land management
protocols ofthe region may have also led to the development of this forest type.
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Figure 10.Savanna oak trees recently Reed from pol�sized trees with active Nrest management.These bur oaks(Queicus
mecrocerye)are located in the South paR ofstand E1A.This image was taken looking to the northwest.
FourMoundsPark Praine,Savanna,andForestManagementPlan Page20of104
PRUDENTERRA
Table 5. New vision Savanna zones at Four Mounds Park table corresponds to stand map of future conditions at Four Mounds Park
(Figure 1). Each stand includes approximate size(in acres), and current level of stocking by trees.A description of its current plant
community supported in each stand as of 2018 is listed. If a stand will have more than one future condition plant community, its
relative area within the stand will be listed[in brackets].
. .
• •
E2A[S Y3],(1), Upland ridge and top of backslope is an uneven aged stand.Occasional large sawtimber red oaks 26-36"d.b.h.
95%Fully and white oak 18-24"with growth forms indicative of a savanna.Very common is pole-sized ironwood 4-8",
Stocked frequent black cherry 8-10", occasional red oak 10",and eastern red cedar 12".
E3[SW Y],(0.3), Southeast facing, upland backslope,an uneven aged stand.Sparse large sawtimber white and bur oaks,
Understocked shagbark hickory indicative of savanna. Forest management clearing has occurred in the past five years leaving
only sparse trees-large sawtimber white oaks 20-24"d.b.h.
E6B[W'/�], Northwest facing footslope, uneven aged stand.Sparse large sawtimber bur oaks 26"d.b.h.with savanna form.
(0.25), Frequent pole and small sawtimber-sized ironwood,american elm, basswood,and black cherry 11-16". Potential
Overstocked entry point of Oriental bittersweet is well established as thick vines this stand.
E9[NW North-northeast facing slope,an uneven aged stand. Occasional large sawtimber basswood, green ash, and
one-tenth],(0.2), „�,hite oak. Many small diameter trees were felled recently to maintain open viewshed from the cabin.
Understocked
E10A[W Y3], North facing backslope is uneven aged. Frequent large sawtimber red oak 18-24"d.b.h. and occasional small
(0.2), sawtimber red oak 14-17". Occasional small sawtimber american basswood 14"d.b.h., and frequent pole-sized
Overstocked basswood 8"and very common sugar maple 4",with occasional large sawtimber green ash 17".
E10BW(1.5), West facing slope,an uneven aged stand. Frequent, large sawtimber white oaks with low lateral branching
Overstocked indicative of a savanna are being replaced by very common pole-sized basswood. Sparse, large sawtimber
sugar maple, red oak are present as well. Frequent pole-sized sugar maple and ironwood.
3.45 acres Total
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Figure 11.White oak savanna remnant in south half of area E2A photograph was taken facing northwest.
Four Mounds Park Prairie, Savanna, and Forest Management Plan Page 21 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
} A
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Figure 12. Image of
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Foresf
23.7 acres of forest found at Four Mounds Park is composed of nearly lwo dozen unique stands of trees
from 0.15 acre to 3.4 acres in size. Species composition, average age, and forest health indicators vary
from stand to stand due to the current land use, complex soils development, topography, and ecological
disturbance history. See Figures 6-12, 37, and 57-67 for photographs of the trees found in forest at Four
Mounds Park.All forest stands are unevenly aged meaning there are both old trees(i.e. large sawtimber
oaks) and young trees(i.e. saplings and polesized maple)growing in the same area of land. Even aged
stands are located in areas that were once grasslands that have grown up into trees of approximately the
same age. They are not included in the forest assessment because of they are being transitioned to
prairie.
The forest here can be better understood by analysing three pieces of data from the forest inventory:
1. Tree density(number of trees at least two inches diameter per acre),
2. Basal area(the area in square feet of forest taken up by the trunks of trees measured at 4.5 feet
above the ground in one-acre), and
3. Estimatedtimbervolume
Comparing these data grouped by diameter at breast height (d.b.h.) size classes and tree species allows
us to know what is growing in the forest today, what is regenerating to become the forest of the future,
and what is the economic value of the standing timber now and forecast over the next 20 years.
All three charts on the pages that follow show what the forest areas at Four Mounds Park are composed
of as a whole including tree species more desired by the landowner to be grown in the forest of good form
(acceptable growing stock), and tree species less desired by the landowner or desired species with poor
form (unacceptable growing stock).
FourMoundsPark Praine,Savanna,andForestManagementPlan Page22of104
PRUDENTERRA
Strengfhs
When reviewing Figures 15 and 16 one can see that oaks(white, red, and black) are major components
ofthe forest in the large diameter size classes. Oaks are immensely valuable to biodiversity supporting
more than 500 species of inseds, dozens of species of birds, dozens of species of fur-bearing critters,
and countless fungi, and lichen. White oak(Quercus alba)is the highest valued ofthe oaks for wildlife. It
has the most nutritious acoms and its bark flakes away from the trunk as it ages especially in the upper
portions making prime roosting habitat for bats.
Another strength is that it is likely that there are more diverse tree species growing in the forest today than
in the 1930s. Diverse species of trees can increase the total number of different animals that are
supported by a unit of forest as different tree species provide varied habitats and forage.
Figure 17 describes an estimate of inerchantable timber volume located in trees at Four Mounds Park.
Most of the volume of timber is red oak and white oak in trees greater than 18 inches diameter. Small
sawtimber(below 18") is mostly sugar maple, some white oak, and the rest is a small volume each from a
diverse mix of hardwood species. Black walnut timber, the most valuable timber species in lowa, makes
up about 5.5%ofthe total volume. Oneffth of the merchantable timber is white oak,the second most
valuable timber species in lowa.
Over the next 20 years, even if no strategic thinning is done to modify the pattems of growth of the forest,
the timber volume and value at Four Mounds Park is forecast to increase from about 115,916 board feet
to 119,637 board feet. The species whose timbervolume will be increasing in order from fastest to
slowest are: black cherry(38%change), sugar maple (21.9%), american basswood (22%), black walnut
(19%), honeylocust (16%), and white oak(14%). The species that will decline, mostly due to old age, are:
hackberry(-81%), shagbark hickory(-21%), cottonwood (-11%), red oak(-5%) and black oak(-025%).
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FourMoundsPark Praine,Savanna,andForestManagementPlan Page23of104
PRUDENTERRA
Weaknesses
Figure 14 shows that there are few young, dense regenerating trees of any species in the forest. A
healthy regenerating forest has at least 1,200 one-inch saplings at least five feet tall in one-acre of land
area - no areas are like this at Four Mounds Park. As one proceeds down the chart by increasing size
classes one notices that there are no tree species most valued by the landowner (black walnut, white oak,
and bur oak) until size class 12 inches. Shagbark hickory is present in the size classes below 12 inches
but it is only about 20% of the regenerating trees. Its slow growth relative to other regenerating species
(by order of highest tree count to lowest) - sugar maple, ironwood, hackberry, basswood, black cherry,
paper birch, boxelder- means its dominance in the future forest is unlikely without active management. A
small amount of red and black oaks are regenerating but once again, too small in number to be certain to
achieve canopy dominance without management.
Now looking at the size classes 20 inches and greater, one notices there are few trees per acre and only
a limited number of species (in order, the three most common trees) -white oak, red oak, and black oak.
The big lesson here is that the forest is growing different trees today than it did more than 100 years ago
when the big, old trees we see today were much younger or just began to grow. White oak, black walnut,
and shagbark hickory, the highest quality hardwoods for wildlife are regenerating successfully only in one
or two acres of the forest under current management. It is also important to note that black walnut trees,
the most valuable hardwood timber species in lowa, disappear after the 22-inches size class (removed
through harvest of timber). The data from the young size classes suggests that areas of forest where
black walnut were harvested in the past have failed to regenerate.
Opportunities
Figure 15 shows us what trees the forest is composed of in terms of the size of their trunks. About 40% of
the trunks of the forest are composed of inedium sized sugar maple, black cherry, basswood, mulberry,
and black oak trees between 10 and 16 inches diameter. 30% of the trunks of the forest are made up of
large white oak, red oak, and black oak trees between 18 and 24" diameter. 15% of the trunks of the
forest are made up of very large red oak, basswood, and white oak trees between 26 and 46" diameter.
Medium sized trees like these when targeted by the forest management practice known as Crop Tree
Release results in the largest increase in rate of growth compared to large or very large tree categories.
This practice is a great fit for your forest stands and can greatly improve the diversity, quality of tree form,
and overall health of your forest.
The data in Figures 14 and 15 show us that great changes in forest species composition has occurred
overtime at Four Mounds Park. There has been a major shift away from land management favoring
diverse oak trees towards management that instead supports mixed hardwoods especially sugar maple
and black cherry. One can choose to regenerate a different mix of trees by strategically modifying one's
land management practices.
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 24 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
Basswood
z ■ American elm
Bitternut
hickory
4 ■ Black cherry
' ■ Black oak
6 ■ ' ■ Black walnut
Boxelder
e - Bur oak
■ Eastern
coltonwood
�o — Ironwood
■ Eastern red
� I . cedar
iz
■ Green ash
-I - �. Hackberry
�4 ■ Honeylocust
N ■ Red oak
� is
Paper birch
() ■ Shagbark
m '$ �■ hickory
Q ■ Sugar maple
■ Mulberry
po , White oak
zz '�
za I'
26 '
28 I
29 II'
0 20 40 60
Density (Trees per Acre)
Figure 14. Diameter distribution chart of all trees(acceptable and unacceptable growing stock)by tree density Qrees per acre)
found in all forest stands at Four Mounds Park. Size class"29"includes all diameters greater than 28 inches. There are many more
small,young trees growing on the site today(maple, ironwood, hackberry,basswood)these are not the same species as the large
trees(oaks). Note the absence of black walnut above 22 inches(harvested)and below 12 inches(poor regeneretion).
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna, and Forest Management Plan Page 25 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
Basswooa
z ■ American elm
_ Bitternut
4 hickory
, ' ■ Black cherry
6 ■ Black oak
� ■ Black walnut
a
Boxelder
io
Bur oak
■ Eastern
Z , cottonwood
Ironwood
�a ' ■ Eastern red
cedar
a
� 6 , ■ Green ash
U Hackberry
pp �a ■ Honeylocust
� ■ Red oak
za Paper birch
■ Shagbark
ZZ j ' , hickory
■ Sugar maple
24 . ■ Mulberry
White oak
zs -
28 �
29 ■
0 5 10 15 20
Basal Area (square feet per acre)
Figure 15. Diameter distribution chart of all trees(acceptable and unacceptable growing stock)by basal area(square feet per acre)
found in all forest stands at Four Mounds Park. Size class"29"includes all diameters greaterthan 28 inches. There are many more
small,young trees growing on the site today(maple, ironwood,hackberry,basswood)these are not the same species as the large,
oldest trees(oaks). Note the absence of black walnut above 22 inches(harvested)and below 12 inches(poor regeneration).
Four Mounds Park Prairie, Savanna, and Forest Management Plan Page 26 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
Basswood
I ' ■ American
�Z elm
Bitternut
hickory
�^ ■ Black cherry
� ■ Black oak
— � I ■ Black walnut
76
Boxelder
Bur oak
8 � ■ Eastern
cottonwood
Ironwood
■ Eastern red
xo
cedar
N
y ■ Green ash
�
U -� - , - Hackberry
=sz
m ■ Honeylocust
� I I
■ Red oak
za
� Paper birch
■ Shagbark
I hickory
■ Sugar maple
26
■ Mulberry
White oak
ZB
29 .
0 200 400 600 800
Timber Volume (Boaird Feet per acre)
Figure 16. Diameter distribution chart of all trees(acceptable and unacceptable growing stock)by Timber Volume(board feet per
acre)found in all forest stands at Four Mounds Park.Size class"29"includes all diameters greater than 28 inches.Trees begin to
have merchantable volume of timber at 12 to 14 inches diameter.Note the absence of black walnut above 22 inches due to past
harvest pradices.
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 27 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
Using the previously mentioned computer program T.I.G.E.R., forest growth was simulated for the neut 20
years at Four Mounds Park assuming that no action would be taken other than proteding the forest from
fre, livestock grazing, and invasive species. The model predids the continued displacement of sawtimber
volume from oaks to sugar maple, decrease in shagbark hickory, no signifcant change in black walnut
while decreasing sawtimber volume of other hardwoods.
100% � Shagbark hickory
I '
� Black walnut
� Sugar maple
v 75% White oak group
E
� � Red oak group
0
>
� All other hardwoods
°1 o combined
� 50/o
r
m
>
.�
w
K 25%
0%
2020 2025 2030 2035
Year
Figure 17.Current antl simulatetl future relative timber volume if no forest management actions were pertormetl at Four Mountls
Park.All other hartlwootls combinetl inclutles:American basswootl,American elm,black cherry,eastern cottonwootl,green ash,
hackberry,honeylocust, ironwootl, paper birch,antl white mulberry.This chart shows ihat if no action is taken,ihe forest will
continue in a state of change from one tlominatetl by oaks antl shagbark hickory to one tlominatetl by other irees especially
shatle-tolerent species American basswootl antl sugar maple.
Four Mountls Park Preirie,Savanna,antl Forest Management Plan Page 28 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
Table 6. The top ten trees sorted from largest to smallest volume of inerchantable sawtimber at Four Mounds Park as of 2018.
Value estimates of the timber is included with the most valuable species shown in bold. Sawtimber volume is measured in board feet
(BF).A single board foot is a square block of wood that is 12-inches on either side and one-inch thick. Prices are estimates of what
a log buyer might pay the landowner for the right to harvest the logs from the forest.
■.
White or bur oak 27,889 $12,000 to$55,000
Red oak 25,730 $5,000-$8,000
Sugar maple 13,490 $3,000-$7,000
Eastem cottonwood 12,326 $1,200
Amencanbasswood 1Q934 $1,100
Black oak 1Q650 $2,000-$4,000
Black cherry 1Q338 $1,000
Black walnut 7,696 $15,000 to$45,000
Green ash 5,169 $1,000-$1,500
Honeylocust 4,203 $600-$1,000
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�,: Y µ t. . +r �,! 8' F., t .z ��i
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v o A Y�� \w.. ��d .il �� v�":
Figure 18. Image of dense sugar maple seedlings occuring in about half of the forest at Four Mounds. This is one species that is
regenerating successfully under current forest management.
Four Mounds Park Prairie, Savanna, and Forest Management Plan Page 29 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
Table 7. New vision Forest zones at Four Mounds Park table corresponds to stand map of future conditions at Four Mounds Park
(Figure 1). Each stand includes approximate size(in acres), and current level of stocking by trees.A description of its current plant
community supported in each stand as of 2018 is listed. If a stand will have more than one future condition plant community,its
relative area within the stand will be listed[in breckets].
, �
• •
E2A[N%](2.0), Steep,north facing slope is an uneven aged stand. Occasional large sawtimber red oaks 26-36"d.b.h.and white
95%Fully oak 18-24"with growth forms indicative of a savanna.Very common is pole-sized ironwood 4-8",frequent black
Stocked cherry 8-10", occasional red oak 10",and eastem red cedar 12".
Southeast facing,upland slope, an uneven aged stand. Sparse large sawtimber white and bur oaks 22-24"and
E3[N�], (2.3), shagbark hickory 21"indicative of savanna in the southwest corner.Occasional sawtimber white oak 13-16",
Overstocked eastem cottonwood 14",black oak 13", and white mulberry 14". Sparse small sawtimber bur oak 15"and
hackberry 13". Poletimber shagbark hickory 4-11"is very common with sparse cottonwood 11", bur oak 12",and
bitternut hickory 10".
E4A, (1.7), 60% North and west facing slope,an uneven aged stand.Occasional large sawtimber basswood 20"and black cherry
Fully Stocked Z4".Occasional small sawtimber black oak 14",black cherry 16",basswood 16", and veneer quality black walnut
17".
E4B, (0.3), This stand is infested with mature honeysuckle,buckthorn,and Oriental bittersweet.The trees are uneven aged
Understocked �^'ith frequent 13-16"white mulberry and 14"american elm.Occasional 16"american basswood,sparse 14-16"
eastem cottonwood, 10"shagbark hickory and a single 15"eastem red cedar.
A diverse, uneven aged mixed hardwood forest stand located in a low,shaded bowl that receives some drainage
area from the ridge in the upland. Frequent large sawtimber eastem cottonwood 24-44",black oak 21-22",
E4C, (225), sparse American elm 20", black walnut 20", bur oak 36"and red oak 18-30"indicative of oak savanna. Sparse
Overstocked small sawtimber shagbark hickory 14",black walnut 17",eastem cottonwood 16", sugar maple 15",and
occasional black oak 14-16". Black cherry poletimber 6-1 Y'is very common having regenereted among
occasional shagbark hickory 7-1 Y'and sparse american elm 12"and black oak 10".Some forest management
has occurred in the past fve years removing all small diameter trees around large bur oaks.
E4D, (0.15), This stand is infested with mature honeysuckle,buckthorn,and Oriental bittersweet.The trees are uneven aged
Understocked �^'ith frequent 6-16"white mulberry and 8-14"american elm. Occasional 10-16"american basswood, Sparse
14-18"eastem cottonwood,and sparse 16-22"eastem red cedar.
North-northwest facing backslope features uneven aged stand of frequent pole and small sawtimber american
elm 7-17"occasional large sawtimber basswood 22", black cherry 22", hackberry 30", sparse black oak 45"and
E6A[W%],(0.7), bur oak 24".Occasional small sawtimber basswood 13",sugar maple 14-18",and hackberry 13".Very sparse,
Overstocked isolated groups of pole-sized paper birch.Occasional Japanese maple shrubs,and Japanese barberry is
established in the understory.Successful management of this stand will require cross-boundary coordination
with Peru Conservancy Company land to the South.
Northwest facing backslope, uneven aged stand. Occasional large sawtimber red and bur oaks 21-27"sparse
E6B[E%], (02), black cherry 20"and occasional basswood 20-27". Occasional pole-sized black cherry 9-11",red oaks 8-11".
Overstocked Occasional pole and small sawtimber ironwood 11-16". Frequent pole-sized sugar maple 3-8"are regenereting in
this stand.
E6C[E%], (02), This is east of the ropes course and climbing wall area featuring an even aged stand of small sawtimber-sized
Overstocked black walnut,green ash,american elm,and pole-sized hackberry.
Upland ridge,a typical maple-basswood climax community in the fnal stage of ecological succession.This
E7, (1), uneven aged stand of pole-sized sugar maple and hackberry 3-9"are very common in this stand with frequent,
Overstocked large sawtimber basswood 20-36"and occasional large sawtimber hackberry 22-3Y'. Basswood are falling apart
due to advanced age.This is what the whole forest will look like without disturbance other than managing
invasive plants.
E8A[E%], (0.5), North facing upland draw below steep backslope. Recent forest management has cleared trees from this area
Understocked leaving sparse small sawtimber black walnut,red oak,and pole-sized downy hawthorn. Extensive garlic mustard
has encroached into the site.
Vewshed of White House.Steep, north facing slope,uneven aged stand offrequent large sawtimber red oak
E8B, (2), 22-28"d.b.h. and 34-46", sparse large 22-25"and small 15"sawtimber white oak.Occasional large sawtimber
Fully Stocked sugar maple 24-25"and honeylocust 24". Occasional pole-sized sugar maple 9-12"in parts of this stand. Garlic
mustard and bittersweet are very common.
Continued below
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 30 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
Continued from above
North facing slope viewshed for the Gray House. Frequent native and non-native shrubs and sparse large sugar
E8C[W%],(0.4) maple,invasive species Oriental bittersweet,multiflore rose, and garlic mustard. Sparse large sawtimber green
ash, honeylocust, red oak,and hackberry.
E8D, (0.4), Steep,north facing slope is an even aged stand of sumaq invasive species garlic mustard,Oriental bittersweet
Understocked are frequent. Regenereting ash,elm, mulberry trees are sparse among occasional gray dogwood and elderberry.
E9, (2.3), Upland,gentle north-northeast facing slope, an uneven aged stand. Occasional large sawtimber green ash 20",
Overstocked White oak 18-26",black walnut 21",and basswood 20-22".Sparse small sawtimber green ash 13",sugar maple
16-17",black walnut and basswood 16". Frequent pole-sized sugar maple 8-12"
E10A[E%], geep,northeast facing slope is uneven aged.Occasional large sawtimber sugar maple 18-25".Very common
(0.5), pole-sized sugar maple and ironwood 7-12".Sparse large sawtimber green ash 20",and red oak 18-44".
Overstocked
East facing slope is uneven aged. Pole-sized sugar maple 3-12"are very common. Frequent small sawtimber
E10BE(1.7), sugar maple 14-19", occasional large sawtimber black oak 21-22",red oak 20", and honeylocust 21".Occasional
Overstocked small sawtimber black walnut 12", black cherry 17",black oak 17"and frequent basswood 13-18".This is one of
the more diverse,high quality mixed hardwood stands on the property.Crop Tree Release management could
begin frst in this stand.
North-northeast facing slope is uneven aged.Very common trees in this stand are pole-sized sugar maples
E10C(3.4), 4-12". Frequent sugar maple 13-18", and pole-sized basswood 4-12". Occasional large sawtimber red oaks
Overstocked ZZ-25"are being replaced by fast-growing pole-sized basswood 6-12", black cherry 14",and paper birch 6-10".
Sparse large sawtimber eastem cottonwood 19-29", honeylocust 19", and black cherry.Sparse white oak 18-24",
remain but could be promoted with forest management.
Gentle sloped,upper portion of north facing backslope is an uneven aged stand dominated by occasional large
E10D(1.7),95% sawtimber 18-28"and frequent small sawtimber 11-16"black cherry.Occasional large sawtimber 18"sugar
fully stocked maple and black walnut.Occasional pole-sized basswood 9", small sawtimber sugar maple 15-17",and black
walnut 12-16". Sparse large sawtimber red oak is present at 30"diameter.
237 acres Total
Understory layer
This inventory has documented unhealthy high levels of bare soil exposed to erosion on the forest floor
and moderate to high levels of invasive species (especially Oriental bittersweet and bush honeysuckle)
invading the forest floor, smothering native vegetation. Insufficient down woody materials are present,
especially fine (1 cm to 10 cm) and coarse woody debris (>10 cm). This leads to a failure to support
litterfall retention to promote more cover of the ground by non-living materials. Down woody materials are
critical for offering a full complement of wildlife habitats and help retain forest soil. It is likely that recent
firewood harvest practices, or keeping areas of forest near structures visually"tidy" or"cleaned-up" of
woody debris has exacerbated this condition. Much of the forest is overstocked with too many trees per
acre or too high of basal area per acre or both. This condition limits the sunlight entry through the forest
canopy down to the forest floor where herbaceous plants can use it to take root. The suppression of fire in
the forest over the past century may have contributed to the suppression or displacement of fire-adapted
understory plants in favor of non-fire adapted ones.
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 31 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
\��� � coarse wooav
_ �\\ oebrs
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\ 30-08%
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l o mr
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� �� F
� ��/11\ �`�—�.��J.—. —I � N�
Figure 19.Coarse woody debns,broken limbs, brznches,fallen trees,whose diameter is greaterthan 10 cm is a key indicator of
wildlife habitatvalues offered along the Nrest flmr Areas in red have no orfartoo little coarse woody debns Nroptimal habitat,
areas in yellow slightly too little debns,and areas in green have suffiaent levels.
�H: i'„ <. ��
� � BereSrnl
�� o�_.� _
\ � — -�_ 30-60%0
\��
_�_ A 20.29%0
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es �
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� NT
. �'n �;�� _____` . —
Figure 20.Pement bare soil exposed on the forest flooras measured in the inventory.The areas in red have the highest levels of
bare soil,the areas in green the lowest recorded.A healthy Nrest Amrshould have 0.2%bare soil,there are no Nrest stands at
Four Mounds with this rzting.
FourMoundsPark Praine,Savanna,andForestManagementPlan Page32of104
PRUDENTERRA
Shrubs Layer
Throughout most of the forest zones at Four Mounds Park native shrubs such as gooseberry, elderberry,
dogwood, serviceberry, arrowwood, ninebark, highbush cranberry, hazelnut, eastern wahoo, bladdernut
and willows are absent.When they are present as in E8B and E6A they are being outcompeted by
invasive plants mentioned previously.
The local white tailed deer population is suspeded to be much higher than historic levels and their browse
on the forest is preventing the successful establishment of a midstory and shrub layer in many areas of
the forest. Four Mounds Foundation should continue to work with the City of Dubuque's efforts to limit
damage created by this overpopulated wildlife species.
,:
� � � �\ sn o�aver
L'�� __ — �\ � nen51nL5
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ry snwn�awar
V � �� � �� JSP��o1Na�ve
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.� V ' �� - " � . . --,
� r,�d \� �� `` ���� � �---'_____—_----� -�
Figure 21.Presence orabsence ofa shmb layeris noted on this grzphic Areas in red the shmb layeris dominated by invasive
speaes.Areas in orznge have insufficientsunlightand/orexcessively high deerpopulafions that restnct development ofa shmb
layeratall.Areas in yellow have some development ofa shmb layerbutare limited in diversiry,areas in green have good
development of a shmb layer.
Invasive Species
If percent cover values of all invasive plant species found in the inventory are summed, 100% of the land
surtace is occupied by stem, leaf, or fruit tissues in 267 acres or 54%of the land area of the ecological
zones. If a high rating of percent cover of a single invasive species in each zone is taken and a weighted
average is calculated by the size of each stand, 49.1%of the land outside of the cultured areas is
occupied by an invasive species. It is estimated therefore that at this time, about half of the land at Four
Mounds Park has an invasive plant growing on it.
The species present at this time listed by order of seventy of infestation are: Oriental bittersweet, bush
honeysuckle, gadic mustard, common buckthorn, multiflora rose, Japanese barberry, and Russian olive.
Each plant has a different niche it occupies either on the ground in the herbaceous layer, vines up shrubs
or trees, or as a perennial woody shrub or tree. If unchecked,the invasive plants will replace hundreds of
native plants that evolved to thrive locally on this land.They will prevent regeneration of hardwood trees
and eliminate diverse wildlife habitats and prevent pollination services by inseds that forage from,fnd
shelter in, or reproduce in conced with our local flora. Removing invasive plants where established, and
limiting their expansion into uninfeded areas is critical to maintain the values of this natural resource.
FourMoundsPark Praine,Savanna,andForestManagementPlan Page33of104
PRUDENTERRA
Table 8.Weighted average of percent cover of invasive species in all ecological management stands as measured in 2018.The
table is sorted by pement beginning with the highest to lowest values.Pmjected percent cover of invasive speaes(marked with an
astensk)in the years 2028,and 2038 is also induded as management plan acfions are implemented.
���
Oriental Bittersweet 458 229 1
Honeysuckle 24 5 12 2 1
Buckthom 11D 55 1
Multiflorarose 99 SD 1
Garlicmustartl 99 49 25
Japanesebarberry 32 1.6 1
Russian olive 3 0 1 5 1
One consequence of the presence of invasive species is a high percentage of bare soil on the forest floor.
Sunlight that would typically be filtering into the ground level is intercepted by dense leaftissue of invasive
plants with no natural predators, and has not evolved the special signals native plants have to begin
dormancy in fall and spring.This allows the non-native invasive plants to continue photosynthesis G10
weeks longer in the fall and 3-4 weeks longer in the spring.
Ornamental exotic plants(such as Japanese maple, trumpeter vine, and others) have been used for
landscaping at Four Mounds Park and throughout the country. They have "escaped" into the ecological
zones,the prairie and forest and are may be competing with native vegetation.They do not tend to cause
signifcant ecological damage so they are not considered "invasive" but they should be managed at the
same time as are the invasive plants.
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i�j%'`�. �`�_�__---_�-------=`1 N?
\,,,,, � � ��
Figure 22.Map of land showing where the invasive woody plant Onental bittersweet(Celesfzs oibicvlelus)is located at Four
Mounds Park.Areas in red are the highest concentration.This species is the most developed plant in the forest and is the number
one threat idenfified at this fime.
Oriental bittersweet is a vine that grows along the ground and up into the tops of trees. It can "strangle"
trees if left unmanaged and make walking through the woods a major challenge. For an infestation this
size chemical management practices are recommended and should be used in combination with hand
FourMoundsPark Praine,Savanna,andForestManagementPlan Page34of104
PRUDENTERRA
pulling of small outbreaks as a follow-up treatment. Systemic herbicides such as RoundUpT"^ (active
ingredient[a.i.]glypFrosate) and GarlonT"^ (a.i. tricbpyr) should kill the plant. Begin with a cut stem
treatment of the vines 1 inch and larger caliper in an area. Cut the vine close to the ground and
immediately spray the wt stem with at least 25%glyphwate(i.e. halfwater, half herbicide with 50%a.i.
On the label = 25% a.i. solution)with a colored marking dye. Pertorm this adivity belween the months of
May and January.Applications in February/March may not be as effedive due to cold temperatures
and/or the plants natural sap flow at that time pushing the herbicide away from the living tissue.
�JR'. ��• ' � � •' •�� • . � �
�i�/ � �! � � �� �
'' �' ' , ��.,�► "��'
.
�' ' ., �' �, ,.
�� r����i -
, , � �
" Figure 23. Image of Onental bittersweet
. (Ce/esfzs orbicvlefus).Amencan
�1 � bittersweet(Ce/eshusscentlens)has
� orznge colored fiuit covenngs,whereas
� .. Onental has yellow as shown in this image.
. � . AIso,Onentalbittersweet(atleft)hasfiuits
� . gmwingnotonlyinaterminalpenic/ebut
��y� �,e � �—� �� alongcymesthroughoutmuchofthestem.
��# �1 r ..-� w ° �•'"�. � �
;CYt . � : �,, �
� :�i .�y.�� 'a.
Next, spray the foliage of the plant (completely wet the leaves but not to the point of runof� by backpack
sprayerwith 2%solution in water of Garlon 3AT"^ or tricbpyrgeneric herbicide. This can be done belween
the months of April and November when the plant is actively growing. Triclopyris effedive at killing only
broadleaved plants so native grasses or sedges present will not be damaged. GlypFrosate can be used as
a foliar herbicide but only during the months of October or November when temperatures are above 40
degrees and most native plants have gone dormant and are not at risk of being killed by accidental
contad with the broad-spectrum herbicide.
Finally, Four Mounds should monitor the effectiveness of the previous herbicide applications, and if small
scattered plants are still present in an area, they should be pulled out of the ground by their roots and
dropped on the forest floor to die as a fnal step. Volunteers could be utilized well for this practice.
Prescribed fre disturbance is not effedive at managing Oriental bittersweet. Expect fre to stimulate the
vine after a bum so time foliar herbicide treatment accordingly.
FourMoundsPark Praine,Savanna,andForestManagementPlan Page35of104
PRUDENTERRA
� _ _ i-�' ` \
� \ � , �\ Honaysuckle
.
� _�_ eo ioo�io
�����r�_��� _ .. � 60I9%
/ � nP58r
� 1��� ���� -., � � sao=c
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i� \���'' � , _ ---------- _---- - \
Figure 24.Map showing the location and percent coverestimate ofinvasive woody plantbush honeysucMe (Lon�cere spp.). It is
present in high levels in the areas in red and orange. Moderate infestation is presentin the yellow areas,and lightinfestation in the
areas green and blue.
Bush honeysuckle refers to one of a half dozen species of non-native shrubs from Eurasia. It is a
precocious shrub with bright red berries and white flowers that can bloom in spring or fall. The shrub
spreads throughout disturbed forest floors with bare soil and sunny openings. If unmanaged it will grow in
size until it dies at a maturity up to 20 feet tall and a horizontal spread of 15-20 feet. No living vegetation
can persist underneath the dense shade of this plant.
l '
1�' � i
,� ��,` r���
ik,. ~ �
Figure 25. Bush honeysucMe in npe fruitstage.Note the opposite � � � � 1 '��
onentation ofiG leaves,a goodinitialindicatorofplantidenfification. lts ��"�y ��
leaveswill be green well before nafive plant;begin to leaf-out in the Spnng % 4 � ,
andstaygreenwellatterthenativevegetationgoesdortnantinthefall. � . , '
� �. : }
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PRUDENTERRA
For an infestation this size, chemical management pradices are recommended and should be used in
combination with hand pulling of small outbreaks as a follow-up treatment. Systemic'bontad" herbicides
such as glypFrosate or triclopyrwill kill the plant. Begin with a cut stem treatment of the shrubs 1-inch and
larger caliper in an area. Cut the shrub close to the ground and immediately spray the cut stem with at
least 25%herbicide in water solution with a colored marking dye. Pertorm this adivity between the
months ofAugust and Odoberfor best effectiveness. Applications in other months may be done but it
may not be as effective in February and March due to cold temperatures and/orthe plants natural sap
flow at that time pushing the herbicide away from the living tissue.
Foliar herbicide treatment is an option by backpack sprayer at 2%to 5%in water solution if pertormed in
late fall during the months of Odober or Novemberwhen temperatures are above 40 degrees fahrenheit.
Prescribed fre management is effedive at killing small honeysuckle plants and top killing medium sized
plants. It can be used effedively in prairie and savanna areas to prevent encroachment. Consecutive
annual bums may be necessary to eradicate this plant. Fire can be an effective treatment to manage this
invasive plant in forests. Plan on all white oak group dominant forest stands to offer the greatest fuel
conditions to be an effective tool for long-term management. Cooler,wetter areas dominated by mixed
hardwood species other than oaks and shagbark hickory are likely going to offer less high quality fre
conditions to suppress honeysuckle suffciently. Repeat treatments of cut stem plus herbicide,foliar
herbicide, and hand pulling treatments may be required at a frequency of about every 10 years.
� — ��
��� ��� BucktM1orn
� eo-ioov,
��f� � 6P]9%
�� � \ � �� � 40.59%
� � � � 15J9%
��j ����� i iov.
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,
'� � '� � �° � - - .
� � � �, � _�
/ �,:, �`��='---- - ---- _ �1 ., �
I
Figure 26.Map showing where the invasive woody plant common budAhom(Rhemnus cethert�ce)is located. It is found in highest
concentration in the areas in red(E4B,E4D)and second highest infestafion is in E2A in the northwest ofthe land. Low levels of
budahom are Presene mmu9houe much of ine Nrese.
Common buckthorn is a non-native woody plant from Eurasia. It may resemble a shrub or small tree
growing in the forest. If grown in full sun it can be up to 30-40 feet tall.A precocious fruiting plant, it
spreads by birds eating the fruit and depositing the seeds. It is easily identified by looking for a long thorn
in between a paired terminal bud on the branches/twigs.When the living bark is damaged, it may appear
as a bright orange color inside the dark outer bark layer. Dead stems often have a dark burgundy or
pinkish hue when cut in half.
FourMoundsPark Praine,Savanna,andForestManagementPlan Page3]of104
PRUDENTERRA
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y,
y� . ..' ��'-' �
� � �[ � Figure 2].Common budQhom(Rhemnus
� _ '"� `Vi cefhert�ce)hasmund,darkpurpleNlack
�� buit;asshowninthefigureabove. lnthe
� � ��G'� � y �_� dortnantseason it is easily identified by
�� . �- looking at the tertninal buds.There you will
� findelongated, neatlypairedbudsthat
�
� �sameia ma snava ordaart�a6��ma
fl'i � snowwiehalongehomstickingouein
� �y4.� �:. � bB�tiJBBfl�B.9 �bOC�QhORI'ISIL3CORIRIOfI
� 4 :� t f13RIE.
l
� �/ � �l.
� A �' �� �1.'
j � h
� r.
a. ����r ��
For an infestation of this size the best treatments for buckthorn will be cutting the large caliper plants
greater than Y'at the base and spraying the fresh wt stumps with herbicide. Use a 1:1 ratio of
herbicide:water using the generic form of glyphwate herbicide such as Tomahawk ST"^ (53% a.i.)with a
marking dye added. Hand pulling of all small shrubs less than Y' caliperwith the aid of Four Mounds Park
volunteers is also recommended as a follow-up treatment to this frst wtting and spraying action. Focus
on managing the forest areas with greatest concentration of buckthorn frst before they can spread to
other units.
Fire can be an effedive treatment to manage this invasive plant. Plan on all white oak group dominant
forest stands to offer the greatest fuel conditions to be an effective tool for long-term management.
Cooler, wetter areas dominated by mixed hardwood species otherthan oaks and shagbark hickory are
likely going to offer less high quality fre conditions to suppress buckthom suffciently. Repeat treatments
of wt stem plus herbicide, foliar herbicide, and hand pulling treatments may be required at a frequency of
about every 10 years.
FourMoundsPark Praine,Savanna,andForestManagementPlan Page38of104
PRUDENTERRA
-_��J% ` �
�(� \
� v __ — Muti�lora Rose
\��'"��- _-� eo-ioor.
1 � 60.]9%0
�' � 40 59%e
� 15J9k
. 1 ��� ������� e 1.1�%n
�� � �� Nos�edng—Q%a
�\` �```
�`` [.ao ` \\�.
�A �t
V�� � \
. A��\� r �
\
� o�� � �
.�,� � [�a e.oeE a e�c
\`
\
/ � A n� �
�� � u w n�
� \
� � \
_ — �. .� . . . E
\ `� —�
., �.� __�-=`-------- NT
� �� �\/N�i � � ___-_ -__ �
,.. �
Figure 28.Map showing the location and pement cover estimate of mulfiflorz rose(Rose mulf�iloie). It is present in faitly low
concentrations in areas where sunlight is more abundant.Dense stands of timber rypically do not support its development due to
insuffiaentsunlightavailable.
Multiflora rose (Rwa muttifbre) is present in relatively low frequency at Four Mounds Park at this time. It
is also from Eurasia and was introduced by well-intentioned foresters and wildlife biologists in the
1950s-1970s for use as a '9iving snow fence" in rural areas across the country. Unfortunately, it was not
effedive for its intended purpose and it spread wild throughout the land by birds. It is well adapted to
persist in a wide variety of soil and sunlight conditions and will be a part of our forest communities for
generations. It is seen by some foresters as a relatively benign invasive plant due to its tendency not to
totally dominate within forests as other invasive plants will. Deer may be discouraged from browsing some
tree seedlings regenerating up through its thorny brambles. However, it can be quite large, robust, and
problematic in old feld succession sites and grasslands that are not burned frequently.
��v�� �lly �� �� .� �' �• .�+y� �,�
' �� 7 T A
�.�l1�" ;��'F��;�.��, •��.
� rjy t, � �s=�
i�� 'ii� �i�if,s�-��`�. ♦�y� r4" ��,
, .,�,�� � � �Y �.
♦ . ;-.
,f �� • �� r� � �y' .� � Figure 29. Image ofmWtiflora mse in
�� �• • • ��f' }. . • � � awoodland.Adistinctcharactensticof
�� ��� �J- itsfortnindudeseMensive,large,
v� `' \ I: .
� � � � hookshapedthomsanda
' � T�� ��� ���, �'r reddish/green hue to it;stems.
'� , 4 .. .
, � �', , 7� ? ;
�' -. ' '.+�.�� �' �1`
�iy� yy� �+ , , . � �
}..;"y r , �� , -- � � ,
J�� 11����i�.�4y, ��, �L ' 1�.. �L�l1
PRUDENTERRA
To manage the multiflora rose bushes in forest areas, spray a foliar herbicide by backpack sprayer of 2%
tricbpyr such as Garlon 3AT"^.The ideal time of year to do this is within lwo weeks of its flowering period
approximately June through July when the plant is most sensitive with the lowest root reserves of energy
on hand. Areas to be restored to prairie need only to mow the plants down and initiate fre annually for at
least three years to eradicate the plants from those sites. Savanna areas should also be burned to
prevent encroachment by invasive plants such as multiflora rose for at least three years in a row after
cutting ofwoody plants is completed. Repeat applications of foliar herbicides lwice in a year or annually
for three years may be needed to kill the largest plants. Prescribed fre in oak-hickory dominant forests
can be an effedive pradice to kill small multiflora rose plants. In diverse hardwood forests plan on foliar
herbicide treatments needed at least every decade to maintain these areas free from this plant.
i
� ��V Ge0[MuS�eN
�� � � � � � 8�100Yo
\�
� 60.1y%
...� /�) 0.59°m
� � 15d99n
1 , emc
\� ' ���� i-iowo
.,� ��'�� �� ry naemq.aw
��..,.�� �`_�
��\] E.00 � ��
V���.,a _�o. �,�, .., �
) o�.� �
C�
♦
`� � ♦ "' F.,� n ��� A
. �� \ , ...` .,.
� �
�
_ ���• � ` ., ... " - .
, �
- , 'a \�1'' ``� ''�_____ '"—___� ______�--� E, -�
Figure 30.Map showing the location and pement cover estimate of invasive woodland herbaceous plant gatlic mustaN(Alliene
peAolete). It is present in high concentrztions in areas shaded in red nearthe recently managed zone of E8A in the east of the forest
by the White House. It is also present in low concentrafion in much of the west half of the forest.
Garlic mustard is a woodland herbaceous plant originally from Eurasia.As a biennial,the plants frst year
(rosette stage) grows leaves only. It overwinters, then in Spring it sends up a tall flower stalk. After
flowering, hundreds of small seeds are produced and as the plant dies, the seeds are released and are
spread by animals, and the wind. It is really only a challenge in woodlands. It does not compete well in
native shrub thickets, savanna, or prairie.
FourMoundsPark Praine,Savanna,andForestManagementPlan Page40of104
PRUDENTERRA
' ��'.'��� ~/��
�f r .-5� i. �.
Figure 31. Invasive herbaceous plantgatlic mustard ��� � ���
infestation in full fome in a woodland. Only in the � � �
plantssecondyearofgrowthwillitpmduceatallstalk i'� - �fX ',�
with flowers(four�etaled)on top. �f� ��. 1
�
Si
This plant is currently moderately infested at Four Mounds Park. Hand pulling of the 2nd year plants each
spring (April-May) over two or three consecutive years is a great option to manage its spread. Restoration
of prairie diversity with fre management in Areas E1 and E8 will eradicate it in those areas. Should dense
patches of frst year plants pop up they can be sprayed with 2%glyphosate herbicide solution in water by
backpack sprayer. Spray only in the months of October or November to limit risk to non-target native
plants in the vicinity.
� — ��� �
��� � eame�y
V ` � oo-ioo�o
\Y \
� � 6P]9%
� � � 40.59%
� � � � i5J9%
�� ��� ������� 1.1�%e
� � � nasn�ama-om
� �``
���� Eoo �
� aL�\
V ��.,w
\`�� E„ .��,.1`� \
� �� F..� \
/ � �� .�.
��� � .� .« °' - . . �
�
`
��— \ ,
\
� ��
� � NT
\ �_ �.�_--- ---- - --1 �
,
, ��
Figure 32.Map of land showing where the invasive woody plant Japanese barberry(Berbens fhunbeigii)is located currantly in the
forest.Relative to other invasive plants at Four Mounds Park,at present,this plant is present in low concentration.Areas in green
are the areas of highest concentrzfion at this time.Areas in blue are low,and no shading means there wasn't any identified in those
zones at the time of this inventory.
Japanese barberry(Berberis thunbergii) is native to Japan and East Asia but has since been established
across much of the temperate climates in the world. It is an escaped ornamental plant that moves into
forests through birds that feed on its fruits. It is present in fairly low concentrations in Four Mounds Park's
more open woodland edges, prairie restoration areas, and fenceline stands.This plant typically grows only
to 3-4 feet tall in isolated individual plants scattered throughout the forest but it can form larger clumps of
plants up to 30 feet wide if unmanaged.
FourMoundsPark Praine,Savanna,andForestManagementPlan Page41of104
PRUDENTERRA
The most effective treatment with this plant is to pull it from the ground by the roots during the growing
season. It is critical that the roots dry out suffciently to kill the plant or else it can re-root making repeat
pulling necessary. For larger plants greater than three feet tall, it is recommended to cut the plant in the
fall of the year and spray the cut stump with a 1:1 retio of herbicide and water using the generic form of
glyphosate herbicide such as Tomahawk 5T"^ (53%a.i.)with a marking dye added. If foliar treatment is
preferred it can be done to the plants by backpack sprayer using 2%glyphosate solution in water during
the late fall of the year when native plants are dormant (approximately November-December). Fire may or
may not be effective at managing this species, there is insuffcient research to know for sure. Some
research by the United States Forest Service suggests due to the nature of the root reserves of the plant,
it may successfully recolonize a site after fre.
i . r
• � t
� � . 1� j ��W' �
� • Ir �
'
�* ,�o:-.-�*,_�J�'�`
. � Figure 33.The fiuits,leaves,and stems with thoms ofthe
N invasive plant Japanese barberry(Beibens fhunbeigii). Note the
�'�� `��� � • bnght red,small,"barbell"shaped fruit;.The fiuits persist Nr
n�`�� . manyweeks ormonths into the fall so the plant can be easily
�� .�� - idenfified, even fora beginning botanist.
� � r \. ?
':�. ,� ,�
� w i =i ,�.c�` .
One additional invasive woody species found currently at Four Mounds in relatively low abundance is
Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia). It is native to Euresia and is a member of the Olive family. It is
precocious and plants are spread into open sunny areas by birds. It is currently found in the Western
portion of the land but will spread if not eradicated. If unmanaged it will grow to a height of up to 15 feet
with multiple sprouting stems from the base until it dies from old age where the cycle restarts with new
vigorous sprouts and young plants regenerating from seed.
It can be managed successfully with cut stem treatments similar to buckthorn and bush honeysuckle.
Prescribed fre in prairie sites may be successful in top-killing the plants less than two inches at the base
but vigorous resprouting will occur and must be managed by repeat mowing or one or two foliar herbicide
spot treatments. Prescribed fre in woodland sites may be insuffcient to top-kill this plant unless flame
heights are above four feet high.
.
, �� �
,.
,, >
° ��r
Figure 34.The eatly season fiuits, leaves,and stems ofthe invasive plant
� � � Russian olive(NeeegnusengusfiPolie). Note the underside ofthe darkgreen
� ' leavesare a stnking silvery-colored and scurtytexNre on leaves, fine twigs.
� a�, ���< Olive shaped buits beNre bnght red when mature in fall.The fruits persist for
� b,� � manyweeksormonthsintotheautumn.
r,�.
<
r j ��'
, y ��r,
�ChT'��Y ��\ ir "':.A ,
�� e, Savanna,andForestManagementPlan Page42of104
PRUDENTERRA
� ArY� •j • A�
N 1
�� � ���� Figure35.Mediumsizedstandingtree
� � _ �� Y Sy;�'f recently dead,exhibiG a charzctenstic
.�.r,�, i'x- � ideal Nranimal habitat-sloughing bark
'� with openings wide enough for bats to
� �, • �� most,birdstohideRompredators,and
r� - . � mammalstostaywarminwinterandcool
� � insummer.
•� r y. � ,�y ' , • � .I:GI'
�
� '� �4� �'. .� ��
4 y t � '' d n��".
s , f
y�, �9_ ^r
���. ,, �� —, ;�-
�� t:
.. . y
. ,. _ �: a �.. �
Mid-story and snags
Critical to supporting diverse wildlife in a forest is the mid-story which contains the intermediate canopy
class of living trees, vines, woody debris, and standing dead trees(snags). Native vines such as
moonseed, wild grape, and poison ivy all have fruits of signifcant caloric value to wildlife. These plants
grow up from the forest floor along fallen branches, broken tree tops, and standing trees both dead and
alive. Partially down, "hung up"woody debris helps provide excellent connectivity from ground to tree
canopies and screening for wildlife, cover of the soil from splash erosion in rainfall, shelter from the
elements, and soil fertility for future trees and all otherforest plants among other qualities. Finally, young
shade tolerant maple or basswood, and moderately shade tolerant living trees such as hackberry, elm,
black walnut grow up and are prepared to replace the tallest trees when they die. Upon the death of a
tree, of any age or size, a supreme habitat feature begins to take shape.
Optimal counts of standing dead trees is estimated by the lowa DNR to be two small trees(at least 6-10
inches d.b.h.), four medium trees(11-20 inches) and lwo large trees(greater than 20 inches) per acre. If
fewer than this number of snags are present, habitat forwildlife is limited.
Currently at Four Mounds Park,forest areas are limited in wildlife habitat value when it comes to snags.
57.4%of forest acres are deficient in small snags, 772%defcient in medium snags, and 69.4%defcient
in large snags. No stand had optimal levels of snags in all three size classes.
Table 9.Data is shown in acres of forest below optimal levels of standing dead trees with a percentage of total forest land.More
than two-thirds of the rorest is currently defiaent in snags. Snags of inedium (1 b20"dbh.)and large(greaterthan 20")diameter
dasses are the most scare limited in availabiliry to wildlifa.
Small6-10" 13.6 5]4
Metlium11d0" 183 ]]2
Large>20" 1645 694
Average 16.1 68
FourMoundsPark Praine,Savanna,andForestManagementPlan Page43of104
PRUDENTERRA
Table 10. Number of standing dead trees(snags)per acre by stand and size classes:small(6-10 inches d.b.h.),medium(11-20
inches)and large(greater than 20 inches). The data fields are color coded to aid the reader in interpreting this data. Green shading
is used when the number of snags per acre is at or above the optimal level.Yellow is when the number is below optimal,and red is
when snags are absent from that size class entirely.Stands which are not managed as forest are absent intentionally from this table.
. ' . i
E2A 9.54 3.18
E3 � 3.18 3.18
E4A - 9.54 -
E4B ---
E4C - 3.18 3.18
E4D ---
E6A 3.18 3.18 3.18
E6B 9.54 3.18 -
E6C ---
E7 3.18 3.18 3.18
E8A ---
E8B - 6.36 -
E8C ---
E8D ---
E9 3.18 --
E10A 6.36 3.18 -
E10BE - 9.54 9.54
E10C 3.18 3.18 -
E10D ---
Overstory
In this highest part of the forest canopy there exists dominant trees (the tallest few trees per acre in the
forest) and receive the most sunlight. Co-dominant trees are also found here. They are in high
competition with each other for limited sunlight resources. The more sunlight a tree receives, the more
energy it can generate and the larger their crowns (area of the tree with leaves) can become. The larger
the crown of a tree, the larger the trunk diameter growth rate can swell.
Currently, there are vast areas of forest at Four Mounds where tree species that are likely to die due to
known pests (Emerald Ash Borer) or disease (Dutch Elm) have achieved dominant status in the canopy
or as co-dominants are shading out valuable diverse species that are not as likely to die. It would be a
good return on investment and action of stewardship to maximize the sunlight exposed to the best
formed, diverse trees species desired to be grown to achieve the landowner's goals and expedite the
decline of trees with a known limited life span.
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 44 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
-_�
i � �
��� �'-° � WM1teOek/HclroryLocations
\�J� -- .. '. _'_ • 9M1� 54�YMaWreS�entl
1 "° � L O InyMelure6lend
y � ellm0e�
� R g eGon
� 11 � �-�,
,
� �',- `�
��_
��� E,o � '�\,.
�'��� °� �,
,,� �,\ E,. .�,. .�„�� ��
; � , �. ;
'��- '�, .. ... � � E
` NT
, �\\\, \ `\ , . �< <___----� .
Figure 36 Location of two stands that have significant white oak(Quemvs e/be)trees present.The highest quality stand of white
oak is the crescent shaped stand(E10BW)west of the pnvate propeRy inholding pamel.White oak is the supreme wildlife speaes of
all the oal¢in lowa.Bats most in it;sloughing bark,acoms are highly nuMfious Nrwildlifa,and hundreds of other species of moths,
butterflies rely on itand otheroal¢fortheirlifa cydes.
CutturedArea
Soil erosion created by stormwater runofffrom buildings, roads, and trails threatens to continue to wash
away land if not correded. See separate Cultured Area Site Plan by landscape architeds on how to
address these critical concems.
Table 11. New vision CUINred Area zones at Four Mounds Park table corresponds to stand map of NNre condifions at Four
Mounds Park(Figure 1).Each stand indudes approximate size(in acres),and current level ofstocking by trees.A descnption of its
currant plant community supported in each stand as of 2018 is listed. If a stand will have more than one future condition plant
communiry,it;relative area within the stand will be listed[in brzckets].
�
E5,(0]), Even aged stand along an upland ndge.Sparse large sawtimberwhite, bur,and red oaks,and sugarmaple.
Understocked Nativeshmbssuchaselderberryandhighbushcrznberryaregrowingintheunderstory.
NortFnoRhwestfaang bacl¢lope faaNres uneven aged stand ofsparse,large sawfimber-sized red oak,eastem
E6A�E%],(0 8), white pine.Occasional basswood,sugar maple and hackberry each ofwhich makes up%of basal area.This is
Overstocked anareainfluencedbytheadjacentropescourse. Successfulmanagementofthisstandwillrequire
cross-0oundary coordination with Pem Conservancy Company land to the South.
E6C�N�],(1.1), Thisistheropescourseanddimbingwallareafaatunnganunevenagedstandoflargesawtimbereastemwhite
Overstocked pine,smallsawfimberamencanelm, basswood,sugarmaple,andpolesrzedhackberry.
E11, (1095), n/a Cementand gravel roads,roofs,turtgrzss,bedding plant;Aandscaping,gardens,buildings,sidewalks,shade
trees induding Amencan chestnuts.
13.55 acres Total
FourMoundsPark Praine,Savanna,andForestManagementPlan Page45of104
PRUDENTERRA
One unique feature at Four Mounds Park related to ecological management is the presence of severzl
Amencan chestnut (Cestenee tlentete)trees located in the CUINred Area. This speaes, now rare due to
an asiatic blight that spread bom Asia in the eatly 1900s once was the most impoRant masEpmduang
tree in the eastem hardwood forest of the United States. Today, Four Mounds Park is one ofjust a dozen
sites in the midwest known to be gmwing trees of this speaes. Preservafion of these exisfing trees, and
planting addifional blighEresistant Amencan chestnuts when they become available in the next two
decades is one more way that Four Mounds Foundation and the City of Dubuque can be a leader in
restorzfion. The following infortnation about the ChestnuG was compiled by the local Izaak Walton
League�
Four Mountls Park's remaining 9antl o!lour Amerian CM1e9n W trees makes up 50%ol�M1e
�o�al trees known In lowa.TM1e atlacM1etl Mar�represen�s�M1e IaA log ol trees In 200.9,antl
e l09 one tree en�irely sin��M1en,antl ano�M1er was 109,b W we've pm�etletl�M1e
�ucker�M1a�ame up(mm i�s9ump.TM1e League M1asa survey o(trees,lo��ing�M1em by
GPS antl M1as been mlleding our seetls(or years TM1ey�ack�M1e gene�irs on eacM1 tree
Intllvitlualty In ortler�o untlerAantl wM1a��M1ey are pmpaga�ing antl our�rees M1ave
contrib Wetl�o�M1eir rebulltling�M1e M1eaI�M1 ol Amerian CM1eAnWs by�M1e League. TM1e League
M1as pmpaga�etl our seetl lor tliAribWion wi�M1in a live�ta�e MitlweA reglon,antl curren�ly
M1ashuA-bearing seetllingshom gene�ially tlissimilar trees�M1a��M1ey plan�o sM1are wi�M1 us
In]f118 or]f119,�o pmvltle a tliverslietl sucrosion plan�ing.
Table 12.�a�a mlletletl by�M1e Izaak Wal�on League no�ing�M1e loa�ion olall Amerian cM1e9n W trees known�o be alive In lore9s
onnammwas.
L' Beoaarte.L4 14 X \fa�vo��FeaHe�imdBrc�liut
� Fow'.louvd.l Oub�que 14 r
°Fciu VIDimd 2 Dubuqoe 11 S
3Fow�lrnwd.3 DW � La X
aFomitc�vdsa pub�p�x L� .\'
JFow\Lrvi�i Dubuq�e L4 ,l'
13 MeshilLmm 14 X Askabw[Hibb]IcdoiO¢ee
14 �I3slNlianu 14 Y
I� \e��t�u Li C JTras
�5 :.5ddleAmvu LL %
SaaFk md m_fmo.
9 G4.Canoll Il. X 3 ol�er
SsavrY \!ss'sus�pp� ATr�enivaeBl��
II Palasadc3�e2Pvk ➢. X em�W6
Sui ,
S�dlm¢s oCvrnwLL Li
esmlf soi'WasSll�=tl
l8 N' � dencs T10 C
FourMountlsPark Pairie,5avanna,antlFore9Managemen�Plan PageA6oH0A
PRUDENTERRA
Summary of Current Conditions
• Good potential exists to restore high quality prairie and savanna in strategic locations identified,
but new tactics (foliar and cut stem herbicide applications, hand pulling) repeated over many
years may be needed to be successful.
• Forest areas are at high risk of significant loss of habitat and timber values due to colonization by
multiple invasive species.
• Forest still has many high quality native trees (for example: white oak) growing in it but they are
under threat of competition for sunlight by more common trees (like sugar maple, cottonwood,
and black cherry).
• Different tree species like sugar maple, black cherry, cottonwood, and hackberry are regenerating
where oaks and shagbark hickory once did.
• Climax community maple-basswood stand in E7 is a great example of what much of the forest
wants to become without ecological disturbance or invasive species colonization. This forest type
does not provide the same values to the Four Mounds Foundation as an oak-hickory forest has
over the past century.
• Removal of most dead trees and coarse woody debris for firewood to make the forest look"neat
and tidy" may be limiting the habitat value to wildlife.
• Improperly designed and constructed woodland trails/roads are unsafe for users in several areas,
difficult to maintain, and eroding significant amounts of soil.
• It is not too late to change land management actions and make a big difference improving these
conditions for the future.
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 47 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
WILDLIFE SPECIES OF GREATEST CONSERVATION NEED
The lowa Wildlife Action Plan managed by the lowa DNR has identified more than 1,100 wildlife species
in lowa of greatest conservation need (SGCN)° due to their populations in lowa at risk of declining or
becoming extirpated from the state. Hundreds of these species may be found in the three habitat types at
Four Mounds Park.
Four Mounds Park is located in the Dubuque blufflands area of the Paleozoic Plateau. The Environmental
Protection Agency's (EPA) ecoregion 52B is known as the Paleozoic Plateau/Coulee Section. There are
three priority terrestrial habitats located here, all of which are found in relatively small units at Four
Mounds Park. 1) Grassland (prairie), 2) Open Woodland (oak savanna), and 3) Forest
From that list, based on the site specific characteristics of the prairie, savanna, and forest, we estimate
that Four Mounds Park may help support the following number of lowa's SGCN: 45 birds, 17 butterflies,
15 mammals, 15 reptiles, two amphibians and the rusty patched bumblebee.
The highest number of SGCN that could be supported at Four Mounds Park are savanna birds, prairie
butterflies, prairie reptiles and forest mammals. Two species of amphibians may be supported if more
semipermanent standing water could be provided for amphibian breeding. The wildlife value of oak
dominant woodlands cannot be overstated. Oak trees provide habitat for the larval stages of at least 534
species of butterflies and moths in lowa for example. Loss of oaks on this site overtime would likely result
in significant loss of biodiversity.
Table 13.Summary of the priority species of greatest conservation need of wildlife and habitat requirement cover type that could be
supported at Four Mounds Park.The table is sorted by wildlife type from highest count of species to lowest count.Some species
use both prairie and savanna and are counted twice.
� �� •' TOTAL
BIRDS 17 4 0 21
BUTTERFLIES 7 9 1 17
REPTILES 5 7 3 15
MAMMALS 5 3 7 15
AMPHIBIANS 0 0 2 2
BEES 0 1 0 1
TOTAL 34 24 13
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Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 48 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
Table 14. List of priority wildlife in Dubuque County according to the lowa DNR Natural Areas Inventory, Driftless Area Priority
Amphibian and Reptiles Conservation Area(PARCA), and lowa Wildlife Action Plan whose habitat preferences may be supported at
Four Mounds Park with management.These may be good indicator species one can hope to observe over the next twenty years.
Asterisk(*)denotes the species is listed more than once in the table because its habitat includes more than one preferred cover
type. Hyperlinks to articles on sites such as herpnet.net, buttertliesandmoths.orq/,and insectsofowa.orq provided for some species.
Prairie
Columbine duskywing Dry orairies that su000rt the woodland wildflower Columbine.
on limestone or sandstone alades on south or west slooes
Common fve-lined skink* Goat prairies,savannas,and rockv blufflands alonq the
MISSISSIppI
Common roadside-skipper Dry prairie
Dusted skipper Dry orairie limestone and sandstone alades near the
Mississiooi River
EIIioPs short-tailed shrew* Forests,woodlands,savannas,gresslands
Ermine Prefers prairie bordering forests, marshes and riparian
woodlands
Franklin's ground squirrel* Savannas and prairies
Gopher snake* Bluff orairie. hiah in forbs
Leonard's skipper Open qressv areas includinq native prairies
Monarch Open areas with milkweeds for eqq lavinq and larval qrowth
Northern broken-dash Grasslands nearwoodland edges
Ornate box turtle Tallaresses with abundant forbs for baskina
Ottoe skipper Dry prairies limestone bluff with little bluestem and side-oats
grama
Rusty patched bumblebee Abundant wildflowers free from pesticide exposure
Silvery blue* Ooen woods.orairies.rockv moist woods.and brushv felds
Six-lined racerunner bluff orairie.savanna
Sleepy duskywing* dry oak woods often in close proximitv to dry prairie openinqs
Smooth green snake* Oak savannas,qrasslands
Timber rattlesnake* Steeo bluffs with rockv outcr000inas
Savanna/Open Woodland
Common fve-lined skink* Goat prairies,savannas,and rockv blufflands alonq the
MISSISSIppI
Edward's hairstreak Savannas,forest edge or clearings
EIIioPs short-tailed shrew* Forests,woodlands,savannas,gresslands
Continued bebw
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 49 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
Continued from above
Evening bat Forage along forested riparian areas and forest edges,summer
roosts in trees or structures.
Franklin's ground squirrel* Savannas and prairies
Gopher snake* Open savanna with snaqs and down woodv debris
Hickory hairstreak Oak hickory woodlands.Shagbark hickory is larval host plant
Juvenafs duskywing Oak woodlands,oaks are larval host plant
Pepper and salt skipper Woodland edges,forest openings
Redbelly snake(subspecies: GresslandiWoodland edqes,dry sandv areas, near water
northern) sources
Silver-haired bat Along riparian areas,roosts in live or dead trees
Silvery blue* Ooen woods.orairies.rockv moist woods.and brushv felds
Sleepy duskywing* Dry oak woods often in close proximitv to dry prairie openinqs
Smooth green snake* Oak savannas,qrasslands
Spotted skunk Oak savanna near rockv areas for den sites
Timber rattlesnake* Steeo bluffs with rockv outcr000inas
Wild indigo duskywing Open woods
Forest
Eastern gray treefrog Forests and woodlands.esoeciallv alona river vallevs
Eastern hog-nosed snake Oak savannas.woodlands. arasslands. bluff orairies
Eastern newt Semi-permanent woodland pools and under loqs in forest
Eastern pipistrelle Forage along riparian areas and forest edges. Summer roosts
in live trees or structures.
EIIioPs short-tailed shrew* Forests,woodlands,savannas,gresslands
Gray fox Moderete to mature,diverse mixed forest
Indiana bat Standinq dead trees,larqe shaqbark,white oak
Northern long-eared bat Needs standinq dead trees with slouqhinq bark
Ringneck snake(subspecies: Deciduous woodlands. oak savannas.and adiacent orairies
prairie)
Southern flying squirrel Mature oak-hickory forests,woodlands with snaqs
Striped hairstreak Deciduous forest openinqs and edqes
Westem ret snake North and east facina slooes
Woodland vole Deciduous forest with leaf litter
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 50 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
BIRD INVENTORY AND PRIORITIES FOR BIRD CONSERVATION
Birds have been monitored by Four Mounds Foundation volunteers, primarily Mr. Tony Moline capturing
data using the Cornell University School of Ornithology application, "eBird". 21 species considered
"priority" in the region and two additional SGCN (blue-winged warbler, and chimney swift) have been
observed recently on the site.
Table 15. Bird Species of Greatest Conservation Need(SGCN)that have been recorded at Four Mounds Park by volunteer bird
watching enthusiasts(primarily Mr.Tony Moline)on the Cornell University School of Ornithology application"eBird". BCA stands for
Bird Conservation Area.This table is listed alphabetically by common name of the birds.
Abundance:A-abundant, Gcommon, CL-common locally, U-uncommon, UL-uncommon locally, R-rere,SGspecial concern,
Th-threatened, En-Endangered,X-extirpated, E-extinct. Trend: D-decreasing, I-increasing,S-stable, K-unknown
Baldeagle USES-YEARROUND X SC I
Black-and-white warbler USES- MAY,AUGSEP X R K
Blue-winged warbler USES-SEP R-W/U-E S
Broad-winged hawk SEEN-APR, SEP X R S
Brown creeper USES-OCT-FEB,APR X R S
Canadawarbler USES-AUG X U n/a
Chimneyswift NEST-MAY-SEP C K
Dickcissel NEST-MAY-JUNE X A D
Easternmeadowlark NEST-APR X C D
Fieldsparrow NEST-APR-AUG X C D
Golden-winged warbler USES- MAY,AUG-SEP X U n/a
Henslow'ssparrow NEST-JUL-AUG X Th I
Leastflycatcher USES-AUG X R K
Peregrinefalcon USES-SEP X SC I
Red-headedwoodpecker NEST-YEARROUND X C D
Sedgewren NEST-AUG X U I
Willowflycatcher NEST-JUN X C S
Woodthrush USES-AUG X U D
Yellow-billed cuckoo NEST(undocumented) X C D
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 51 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
TM1lssi�elsloa�etlln a birtl conserva�ionregion known as�M1e Pairie �o Hartlwootl Trans�ionAcmrtling
m meiowx omasaim consenxnon nrex wees�eg aere xresi eim spedesmx�xre x peonry ror
cove�rva�ion eRotlsa� FourMountlsPark TM1eIrliAetl M1abi�a� prelerenceslntlia�e �M1a� untler�M1elantl
�ypes presen�, a� leaA25 o(�M1e51 o(�M1ese priori�yspeciescoultl be suppotletl.
Speoesno� observetl curren�ly using �M1e si�e, bW may be suppotletl a� FourMountlsParkilre9ora�ion
atlivi�iesare pedormetl areliAetlln �M1e �able below. TM1ese may be gootllntlia�orspecies�o moni�or �o
uchre �M1e e!letlivenessoleRorts�o acM1ieve �M1e lantl managemen� objetlrves Some ol�M1e speoes
as bobolink, larksparmw may requlre long�erm mowing or bmwsing managemen� wi�M1 long reA
periotls o(a setlion o(�M1e palrie or savanna �o M1elp pmvitle �M1e pmper Amdure �M1ey pre(er�o neA In.
O�M1ers require managemen� ol�M1icksM1mb-lilletl etlgesa��M1e �ansi�ion o! prairie antl lore9. Managing
�M1issi�elor�M1e mazimum po�en�ialtliverse M1abi�a��ypeswillsuppor��M1e krgeA numbero@irtls.
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PRUDENTERRA
Table 16. List of priority birds in the bird conservation region and lowa Wildlife Action Plan not observed currently but whose habitat
preferences(according to the lowa DNR)may be supported with management. These may be good indicator species to monitor for
over the next twenty years.
Prairie
Bobolink Medium grass w/sparse forbs
Common nighthawk Open areas of grasslands
Grasshopper sparrow Short grass with forbs and sparse small shrubs
Northern bobwhite Short-to-medium grass with shrub thickets and abundant forbs
Savanna/Open Woodland
American kestrel Oak savanna and wooded farmsteads with large trees
American woodcock Moist brusy woodlands with scattered openings
Common barn owl Savanna with up to 200 acres of adiacent qressland for huntinq
Bell's vireo Thickets in savanna/grasslands
Black-billed cuckoo Woodland thickets of dense shrubs 2-6 feet tall
Eastern towhee Dense shrub-filled woodland edges
Eastern wood-pewee Oak forest&woodlands,oak savanna
Lark sparrow Short grasses like in a pastured savanna
Loggerhead shrike Thorny shrubsftrees in savanna/grasslands
Long-eared owl Mixed conifer/hardwood forest with adjacent open grassland
Northern flicker Oak savanna and mature open woodlands with snags
Olive-sided flycatcher Feeds along forest openings and edges
Osprey Tree-lined rivers with fsh
Veery Moist woodlands with understory of low trees or shrubs
Whip-poor-will Ungrazed woodland with open understory
White-eyed vireo Woodland/savanna ege thickets with dense shrubs
Yellow-breasted chat Dense shrub-filled woodland and savanna
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 53 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
BURN PLAN
Refer to separate document Burn Plan by Gregg Pattison of the USFWS. All burns on this site will require
a professional burn plan approved by the City of Dubuque and be issued a permit. An ignition map like
Figure 36 below will likely be necessary as well along with a written narrative describing the burn unit
conditions, burn objectives, personnel, materials/equipment needed, atmospheric and weather conditions
required, etc.
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Figure 38.Ignition plan map 6om a woodland burn site. It is shown here as an example ofwhat may be required by the City of
Dubuque to be issued a burn permit to conduct this management at Four Mounds Park.
Four Mounds Park Prairie, Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 54 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
TRAILS AND UNPAVED ROADS
Several thousand feet of trails exist along the north and northeast aspect facing the river. There is a
wooden bridge that was recently constructed across a draw between E10BE and E10BW stands. They
have not been designed properly and are eroding as well as are not comfortable for the typical trail user
that may come across them during an overnight stay at Four Mounds Park. They require assessment by
someone with specialized training in native surface trail layout, construction, and maintenance such as
Pete Englund of Legacy Trails, LLC. Pete has more than 18 years of experience in this field and his
assistance would be very valuable to ensure the longevity of this resource and help Four Mounds
Foundation meet their objectives for stewardship of keeping the soil on the land. It would be valuable to
get input on where existing trails should be discontinued, modified, and new trails be placed that would be
easier to maintain, safer, and help highlight the many other natural features at the Park that are not
currently easy to access.
A maintenance road is placed in a location between E5 and E6A/E6C. There is some cutting erosion
along this feature and a trails consultant would also have some ideas on how to mitigate issues from
water erosion and other challenges created by its use. If possible, a step pool system could be used to
provide stormwater storage, slow soil erosion of the forest draw near trails while also providing
semi-permanent woodland ponds- breeding habitat for terrestrial amphibians.
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Figure 39.M example of a"social traif'at Four Mounds Park in Stand E10BW facing East.The wooden steps made of old railroad
ties are unstable and have failed due to improper placement,and construction.A newly built bridge has inadequate handrails and
likely unstable footings that will soon degrade and become dangerous to users.
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 55 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
NATURALRESOURCE MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
Generally, the prairie areas require:
1. Tree removals and stump applications of herbicide to prevent resprouting
2. Herbicide application to dense native and non-native woody shrub and tree clusters,
3. More frequent disturbance (mowing, grazing/browsing and fire)
4. Removal of hazard or risk treess near trails or structures, and
5. Care to retain native downy hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) and other native woody prairie plants
The remnants need a botanical inventory performed by an expert now and after five years of burning.
After this time it may be deemed necessary to add diversity of prairie plants especially forbs that may no
longer be present on the site due to degradation overtime from the shade of woody plants, and lack of
fire. This can be accomplished by seeding and/or transplanting live plants of local ecotype prairie species
(ideally from seed harvested from other remnants in the vicinity) . This action can help achieve a resilient
state of biodiversity to outcompete with undesirable woody plants and invasive species when stimulated
with mowing or burning disturbance. Remnant oak-hickory savanna at the nearby Little Maquoketa River
Mounds State Preserve located two miles north of Dubuque was surveyed by a botanist in 2008. This
may be a good place to use as a reference site. The data is available from the Dubuque County
Conservation Board who also manages the 42-acre preserve.
Table 17. Proposed actions to successfully reconstruct and restore prairie in specific areas(stands)at Four Mounds Park(see
Figure 1).
� ���
Cut all non-native shrubs, all trees(except Hire botanist to
Burn annually for Increase prairie diversity with
E1A oaks or shagbark hickories)and spray at least three inventory prairie and local ecotype plants as
stumps with herbicide. Buck up to below years make species mix recommended by botanist
chest height and stack debris into piles. recommendation
Cut all non-native shrubs, all trees(except Foliar herbicide
application to Burn annuallyfor
E1 B oaks or shagbark hickories)>Y'caliper and Woody plants and three years Browse,mow,or burn annually
spray stumps with herbicide.
invasives.
Cut all non-native shrubs, all trees(except Foliar herbicide
oaks or shagbark hickories)and spray Foliar herbicide application to
E2B stumps with herbicide(except cedars). application to Burn annually for Oriental bittersweet,continue
Buck up to below chest height and stack �^'oody plants and three years burning every 1-3 years
debris into piles.
invasives.
Spray contact Seed diverse prairie
in the dormant
herbicide in Continue mowing for at least
Cut all woody plants(except oaks, season,establish
E8A sha bark hicko or down hawthorn and November to kill two more years if annual weeds
9 ry' Y � all living prairie with monthly Persist; mow or burn annually to
spray stumps with herbicide. non-native mowing at six maintain open view
vegetation inches June through
September
Bum site and then Spray contact Establish prairie with monthly
herbicide in
Cut all non-native shrubs, all trees(except apply foliar November to kill all mowing at six inches June
E8C herbicide to through September. Mow until
�E�� oaks or shagbark hickories)>Y'caliper and Young woody living non-native established then burn after third
spray stumps with herbicide. vegetation;seed
plants and diverse prairie in the Year;mow or burn annually to
invasives. dormant season maintain open view
s Hazard orrisk trees are of poor form, diseased,dying,or standing dead located in close proximity Qypically,one average tree
height or up to 100 feet)to trails,structures, or roads. If proactively felled, or in the case of live trees with dead hanging limbs
individual branches pruned, management helps keep park users safe,reduces maintenance costs,and limits damage to
infrestructure.Also see Cultured Area Site Plan for information about management of risk trees in those areas.
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 56 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
Generally, the savanna areas require:
1. Cut stem herbicide treatment to all woody plants (except oaks or hickories),
2. Prescribed fire in the dormant season (typically November through March) when humidities are
below 40%, wind speeds above 10 mph from a consistent direction, to achieve flame heights in
the burn unit are between about 3-4 feet tall, and
3. Annual foliar herbicide applications to Oriental bittersweet leaves in November for two to three
years following the fire to prevent its re-establishment,
It may take a decade or more of annual dormant season burns in the savannas until the full diversity of
native plants on the site are blooming. When satisfactory white oak regeneration is achieved, fire
disturbance can be terminated altogether or modified to reduce intensity (reduce flame height) to allow for
the establishment of a new generation of oaks.
Table 18. Proposed actions to successfully restore savanna in specifc areas(stands)at Four Mounds Park(see Figure 1).
� ��
Spray foliar herbicides
Cut and treat with herbicides all Burn annually November Build sustainable trail,
E2A in areas of woody
�S�� non-native woody plants and all trees through March for at encroachment to maintain fre every three to
(except oaks,shagbark hickory) least three years support continuous fre fve years
Foliar herbicide application to Continue burning or
E3 Oriental bittersweet, all regenereting Burn with prairie unit E1A stretegic goat browsing
(SW'A) trees except oaks or shagbark to the north periodically with
hickory savanna unit E6B
Foliar herbicide Continue burning
Burn annually
Cut and treat with herbicides all application to Oriental periodically as needed to
E6B November through
�W�� non-native woody plants and all trees bittersweet,all March for at least three manage invasive species.
(except oaks,shagbark hickory) regenereting trees except Years Work with neighbor to South
oaks or shagbark hickory to expand management
Foliar herbicide gurn annually
Cut and treat with herbicides all application to Oriental Continue burning
E9 November through
non-native woody plants and all trees bittersweet,all periodically as needed to
�NW� � (except oaks,shagbark hickory) regenereting trees except March for at least three manage invasive species
oaks or shagbark hickory Years
Cut and treat with herbicides all Spray herbicides in areas Burn annually Continue burning
E10A November through periodically as needed to
�W�� non-native woody plants and all trees of woody encroachment March for at least three manage invasive species,
(except oaks,shagbark hickory) to support continuous fre Years keep open for cabin view
Cut and treat with herbicides all gurn annually in fall for Build sustainable trail Install interpretive signage
E10BW non-native woody plants and all trees three years and connect to E10BE about the wildlife value of
(except oaks,shagbark hickory) white oaks
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 57 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
Generally, the forest areas require:
1. Eradication of established invasive species by cut stem, foliar herbicide treatments, limited
low-intensity prescribed fire in oak-hickory stands, and hand pulling,
2. Crop Tree Release' - a crown-touching release of about 20-70 trees per acre of the best formed
co-dominant canopy class of diverse hardwood species including a cut stem herbicide treatment
of all vines on "crop trees",
3. Modification of firewood harvest protocols to leave more snags (standing dead trees) and down
woody materials throughout all forest stands8,
4. In understocked areas, additional tree or shrub plantings and seedling care management.
Seedling care includes discouraging animal browse, suppressing shading by broadleaf weeds
and root competition of grasses through the first three to five years of establishment,
5. Construction of a high quality, sustainable with minimal maintenance, native surface trail up to
two miles long for walkers and land managers to easily access the diverse features in the
ecological zones, and
6. Removal of hazard or risk trees near trails or structures
Table 19. Proposed actions to successfully restore diverse hardwood forest in specifc areas(stands)at Four Mounds Park.
�
E2A Apply foliar herbicide to Cut and treat with Hand pull and drop to Crop Tree Release,cut any
(N%) Oriental bittersweet herbicide all invasive ground all woody invasive vines on crop trees and spray
woody plants>3 feet tall plants<3 feet tall with herbicide
Crop Tree Release,cut all Hand pull and drop to
E3 Apply foliar herbicide to invasive vines and native 9round all woody invasive
(N%) Oriental bittersweet vines on crop trees and shrubs<3 feet tall
spraywith herbicide
Apply foliar herbicide to Crop Tree Release,cut all Plant 150 new oaks, Spray herbicides around newly
shagbark hickory and
EaA Oriental bittersweet,cut and invasive vines and native shelter from deer,hand Planted trees for three to fve
treat with herbicide all woody vines on crop trees and years; repeat garlic mustard
invasive plants>3 feet tall spray with herbicide Pull 2nd year garlic pull
mustard
Cut and treat with herbicide all Hand pull and drop to Apply foliar herbicide to Plant and establish trees or
E4B woody invasive plants>3 feet ground all woody invasive Oriental bittersweet shrubs after invasive plants are
tall plants<3 feet tall managed
Pull all 2nd year garlic mustard Apply foliar herbicide to Crop Tree Release,cut all
in spring and place in black Oriental bittersweet and invasive vines and native Plant more white oaks in sunny
E4C plastic bags;remove from 1 st year garlic mustard in vines on crop trees,rogue openings on the north edges,
woods and dispose of in November,repeat pull of kill scattered shelter from deer,protect from
garbage receptical 2nd year plants honeysuckle,and spray competition with herbicides
stumps with herbicide
Cut and treat with herbicide all Hand pull and drop to Apply foliar herbicide to Plant and establish trees or
E4D woody invasive plants>3 feet ground all woody invasive Oriental bittersweet shrubs after invasive plants are
tall plants<3 feet tall managed
Crop Tree Release,cut all
Apply foliar herbicide to Hand pull and drop to invasive vines and native Plant dense native shrub
E6A Oriental bittersweet,cut and vines on crop trees,rogue thickets, shelter from deer,and
(W%) treat with herbicide all woody 9round all woody invasive kill scattered spray herbicides to protect from
invasive plants>3 feet tall Plants<3 feet tall honeysuckle,and spray root and sunlight competition
stumps with herbicide
Continued below
' For more information on Crop Tree Release see: httos:/iWww.extension.iastate.edu/forestrv/oublications/PDF fles/PM2002A.odf
a Ai least two small (6-10"d.b.h.),four medium(11-20"d.b.h.),and two large(>20"d.b.h.)standing dead trees per acre;at least 20%
cover of fne woody debris,and at least 20%cover of coarse woody debris.
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 58 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
Continued from above
Apply foliar herbicide to Hand pull and drop to Crop Tree Release,cut all Plant dense native shrub
E6B Oriental bittersweet,cut and 9round all woody invasive invasive vines and native thickets, shelter from deer,and
(E%) treat with herbicide all woody Plants<3 feet tall vines on crop trees spray herbicides to protect from
invasive plants>3 feet tall root and sunlight competition
Apply foliar herbicide to Crop Tree Release,cut all Plant dense native shrub
E6C Oriental bittersweet,cut and Hand pull woody invasive invasive vines and native thickets, shelter from deer,and
(E%) treat with herbicide all woody plants<3 feet tall; vines on crop trees spray herbicides to protect from
invasive plants>3 feet tall root and sunlight competition
Apply foliar herbicide to Crop Tree Release,cut all plant native shrubs, Spray herbicides to protect
E7 Oriental bittersweet,multiflora invasive vines and native shelter them from deer from root and sunlight
rose vines on crop trees competition
Pull all 2nd year garlic mustard Cut and treat with
herbicides all non-native Plant black walnut, red
E8A in spring,apply foliar herbicide Woody plants and all trees oak,and black oak trees Protect trees from competition
(E%) to Oriental bittersweet and 1st �except oaks, shagbark and shelter from deer With herbicides
year garlic mustard,repeat
hickory)
Pull all 2nd year garlic mustard Cut and treat with Plant white oak group trees and
in spring,apply foliar herbicide herbicides all non-native gurn woodland at time of shelter from deer;protect trees
E8B to Oriental bittersweet and 1st �^'oody plants and all trees Prairie burn in E8GE8A from competition with
year garlic mustard,repeat �except oaks, shagbark herbicides
hickory)
Cut and treat with herbicides Plant white oak group trees and
E8C all non-native woody plants Burn woodland at time of shelter from deer;protect trees
(W%) and all trees(except oaks, prairie burn in E8GE8A Build sustainable trail from competition with
shagbark hickory) herbicides
Cut and treat with herbicide all replant native shrubs, Protect shrubs from root
E8D woody invasive plants>3 feet Build sustainable trail shelter from deer competition with herbicides for
tall three years
Hand pull woody invasive Crop Tree Release,cut all
E9 plants<3 feet tall; Build sustainable trail invasive vines and native
vines on croptrees
Crop Tree Release, cut all Plant native protect trees and shrubs from
E10A invasive vines and native Build sustainable trail shade-tolerant conifer root competition with herbicides
�E�� vines on crop trees trees,shrubs,shelter from for three years
deer
Plant native conifer trees,
Crop Tree Release, cut all Hand pull woody invasive shrubs,shelter from deer&
E10BE invasive vines and native Build sustainable trail plants<3 feet tall on protect shrubs from root
vines on crop trees south and west edges competition with herbicides for
three years
Apply foliar herbicide to Crop Tree Release,cut all plant native shrubs, Protect shrubs from root
E10C Oriental bittersweet,multiflora invasive vines and native shelter from deer competition with herbicides for
rose vines on crop trees three years
Apply foliar herbicide to Cut and treat with Hand pull and drop to Crop Tree Release,cut all
E10D Oriental bittersweet,multiflore herbicide all woody ground all woody invasive invasive vines and native vines
rose invasive plants>3 feet tall plants<3 feet tall on crop trees
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 59 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
The Cultured Area requires:
1. Removal of invasive plants and aggressive non-native plants and replacement with native plants,
2. Mitigate stormwater runoff with step-pools and other rainwater garden features,
3. Limiting the use of pesticides to support federally endangered rusty patched bumblebee,
4. Removal of hazard or risk trees near trails or structures, and
5. The need to remain vigilant and vet all future plantings for their potential to become invasive
before planting
Table 20. Proposed actions to successfully manage native plants in Cultured Area in specifc areas at Four Mounds Park(see
Figure 1).
� ���
Cut and treat with herbicide all Hand pull woody plants Establish shrubs with
ES woody invasive plants>3 feet <3 feet tall;plant dense herbicide and shelter Hand pull garlic mustard
tall native shrub thickets from deer browse
E6A Cut and treat with herbicide all Hand pull woody plants Establish shrubs with
�E�� woody invasive plants>3 feet <3 feet tall;plant dense herbicide and shelter Hand pull garlic mustard
tall native shrub thickets from deer browse
E6C Cut and treat with herbicide all Hand pull woody plants Establish shrubs with
�W�� woody invasive plants>3 feet <3 feet tall;plant dense herbicide and shelter Hand pull garlic mustard
tall native shrub thickets from deer browse
Build sustainable Evaluate stormwater runoff and
Eradicate any invasive species Reduce mowed
trailheads with good address erosion from buildings and
E11 used in landscaping; Replant lawns, reconstruct
with native plants only signage,map of walking Prairie roads with native plant restoretion
trails areas
TIMELINE AND BUDGET OF MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
The order of management actions should proceed as described in the following tables. It is critical to
focus on managing invasive species throughout the site. Opening up the canopy of the forest with tree
removals will allow more sunlight to the forest floor where invasive plants can quickly colonize to capture
that new energy available. Sustained management actions for at least three to five years is crucial to be
successful with some stands at Four Mounds Park especially with those areas infested with Oriental
bittersweet, garlic mustard, and honeysuckle.
Table 21. Land management activities at Four Mounds Park scheduled to be completed in 2019.
i •
� ��
Winter Burn brush piles E1A 7 $1,500
Burn gressland E8C(E 1/2), E8A(W 2/3) 1.15 $1,200
Burn gressland E1B, E1A 16.5 $3,800
E4A, E4B, E4C, E4D, EBA, EBB, EBC,
Pull all 2nd year garlic mustard EBD, and E10D 9.4 $150
Spring Buy seed,prepare site and seed prairie E8C(E 12), E8A(W 2/3) 1.15 $6,000
Plant 250 oaks and shelter E4A, E4C 2 $4,500
Botanical re-inventory site visit 1 of 2 Prairie remnant 20 $2,500
Trails assessment, prescription and plan Entire site 60 $5,000
Continued below
9 These costs listed here are approximate,not to be confused with a formal,not-to-exceed estimate.
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 60 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
Continued from above
Foliar herbicide application to all woody plants<1" E1 B, E1A(W 1/4) 6 $3,000
Foliar herbicide application to Oriental bittersweet EBB, EBA, E3, E4B, E4D, E4A, E4C 92 $4,000
Mow establishing prairie monthly E8C(E 1/2), E8A(W 2/3), E1A 8.15 $3,200
Hand pull all invasive plants<3 feet tall E10D, E9, EBD, EBC, E8A 5.3 $50
Cut stem herbicide application to all Oriental bittersweet E10D, E9, EBD, EBC, E8A 5.3 $2,200
Summer Cut stem herbicide application to all invasive woody
plants>3feet E2A(N1/3) 2 $1,200
Protect newly planted trees/shrubs from shade and root
competition E4A, E4C 2 $700
Pertorm triage trail maintenance to critical areas Half of existing trails 1 $5,000
Botanical re-inventory site visit 2 of 2 Prairie remnant 20 $2,500
Cut stem herbicide application to all shrubs and trees
>3feettall E1B, E1A(W1/4) 6 $2,800
Hand pull all invasives<3 feet tall E4B, E4D, E6B, E6A, E6C, E4A, E4C 6 $0
Fell all trees except oaks or hickories;apply cut stem
herbicide treatment,move debris into brush piles. E1A 7 $26,000
Cut stem herbicide application to honeysuckle and
buckthom throughout, also in E6B(W 12 only)
Fall fell all trees except oaks or hickories and pile debris E4B, E4D, E6B, E6A, E6C, E4A, E4C 6 $4,400
Foliar herbicide application to Oriental bittersweet EBB, EBA, E3, E4B, E4D, E4A, E4C 92 $3,000
Cut stem herbicide application to all woody plants>1"
except oaks,hickories,and cedars E2B, E1A 47 $4,000
Protect newly planted trees or shrubs from shade and
root competition with contact herbicide within 3 feet E4A, E4C 2 $1,200
Assess risk or hazard trees. Prune,fell,or remove. All areas 100'of trails, structures, roads 20 $2Q000
TOTAL $107,900
In prairie, it it critical to maintain the areas free from woody plants with fire and mowing. Prioritize the
completion of tree removals to allow fire to carry throughout the entire unit. Note that felling of trees can
only occur October 15 to March 31 due to the federally protected status of several species of threatened
or endangered bats that may be nesting outside of those dates. There are also specific management
guidelines10 from the USFWS for the rusty patched bumblebee which this plan is in alignment with except:
burning no more frequently than once every three years. One way to comply with this is to divide the
prairie burn unit into thirds, and burn one section only per year. Care must also be taken so that no
adjacent burn units are burned in consecutive years in order to allow slow moving, short distance
migrating insects a chance to re-colonize new areas that may be disturbed in the fire. Working toward
achieving this practice can also support reptile conservation.
Savanna areas along the edge of the primary burn unit of prairie (E1) are the next priority because of the
relative ease of expansion to a fall burn in a couple of years and then prairie and savanna could
potentially be burned at the same time. Trail evaluation is needed upfront before further degradation or
10 httos://www.iws.aov/midwest/endanaeredlnsects/robb/odf/ConservationGuidanceRPBBv1 27Feb2018.odf
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 61 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
injury to a trail user occurs, then funds should be secured to make a significant one-time investment in
trail construction costs. Finally, steady annual forest improvement actions of crop tree release in the forest
zones can be performed. The final stage of management is to perform regular maintenance of periodic
fire, browsing, mowing of prairie and savanna. Forest areas will require regular monitoring and removal of
invasive plants that will continue to persist in relatively low levels after management. The final stage of
this 10 years of work is evaluation and reflection on what elements of the plan were successfully
implemented and what remains to be completed (if anything).
Table 22. Land management activities at Four Mounds Park scheduled to be completed in 2020.
'� ��
Cut stem herbicide application to all buckthom E2A 2 $1,200
E4B, E4D, E6B, E3(N 3/4),(E 1/2),
Winter Crop Tree Release E6A(W 12), E4A, E4C 7.6 $4,600
Burn brush piles E1A, E2B 9 $2,500
Fell all eastem red cedars,move debris into brush piles. E2B, E1A 47 $6,500
Burn gressland E1B, E1A 16.5 $3,900
E4A, E4B, E4C, E4D, EBA, EBB, EBC,
Pull all 2nd year garlic mustard EBD, and E10D 9.4 $100
Spring Plant red oaks and black walnut with shelters EBA, E8B 1 $3,700
Plant shrub thicket E5 1 $3,200
Protect newly planted trees/shrubs from shade and root
competition with pre-emergent herbicides into bare soil E4A, E4C, EBA, EBB, E5 4 $2,000
Hand pull all invasive plants<3 feet tall E4B, E4D, E6B, E6A, E6C, E4A, E4C 6 $50
Mow establishing prairie monthly E1A, E8C(E 1/2), E8A(W 2/3) 15.15 $5,000
Foliar herbicide application to all trees and shrubs<1" E1 B, E1A(W 1/4) 6 $3,200
Maintain 500 linear feet of native tread walking trail EBA, E8C 0.05 $2,000
Summer
Basal bark herbicide application to young poletimber
woody plants>2"and<12"except cedars E2B 2 $600
Pertorm triage trail maintenance to critical areas Second half of existing trails 1 $5,000
Protect newly planted trees/shrubs from shade and root
competition with pre-emergent herbicides into bare soil E5, EBA, E8B 2 $700
Fell all trees except oaks or hickories; apply cut stem E2A(S 1/2), E3(SW 1/3), E6B(W 1/2),
herbicide treatment, pile debris into brush piles. E10BW, E10A(W 1/3), E9(NW 1/10) 3.45 $5,900
Foliar herbicide application to all trees and shrubs<1" E1 B, E1A(W 1/4) 6 $2,800
Fall E2A, E3(SW 1/3), E6B(W 1/2),
Foliar herbicide application to Oriental bittersweet E10BW, E10A(W 1/3), E9(NW 1/10) 5.45 $2,800
Protect newly planted trees/shrubs from shade and root
competition with contact herbicide within 3 feet E4A, E4C, EBA, EBB, E5 4 $1,700
TOTAL $57,450
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 62 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
Table 23. Land management activities at Four Mounds Park scheduled to be completed in 2021.
i
� ��
Crop Tree Release E10BE, E10C 5.1 $3,000
Winter
Burn brush piles E1A, E2B 47 $2,600
E4A, E4B, E4C, E4D, EBA, EBB, EBC, EBD,
Pull all 2nd year garlic mustard and E10D 9.4 $150
Burn gressland E1B, E1A, E2B 182 $4,000
Spring
Site prep and plant trees and/shrubs with shelters E6A 1 $3,900
Protect newly planted trees/shrubs from shade and
root competition with pre-emergent herbicides into
bare soil E4A, E4C, EBA, EBB, E5, E6A 5 $2,000
Mow establishing prairie once or twice as needed E1A, E8C(E 1/2), E8A(W 2/3) 15.15 $2,000
Protect newly planted trees/shrubs from shade and
root competition with pre-emergent herbicides into
Summer bare soil E6A 1 $500
Construct one new mile of trail TBD by Trail Plan 0.5 $10Q000
Maintain 500 feet of existing trail EBA, EBC, E9, E10A 0.05 $2,000
E2A, E3(SW 1/3), E6B(W 1/2), E10BW,
Foliar herbicide application to Oriental bittersweet E10A(W 1/3), E9(NW 1/10) 5.45 $2,000
Protect newly planted trees/shrubs from shade and
Fall root competition with contact herbicide within 3 feet E4A, E4C, EBA, EBB, E5, E6A 5 $2,600
E2A(S 1/2), E3(SW 1/3), E6B(W 1/2),
Prescribed bums of oak savanna E10BW, E10A(W 1/3), E9(NW 1/10) 3.45 $2,300
TOTAL $127,050
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 63 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
Table 24. Land management activities at Four Mounds Park scheduled to be completed in 2022.
i
� ��
Winter Crop Tree Release E10D, E2A 37 $2,600
Burn gressland E1B, E1A, E2B 182 $4,000
E4A, E4B, E4C, E4D, EBA, EBB, EBC,
Pull all 2nd year garlic mustard EBD, and E10D 9.4 $0
Protect newly planted trees/shrubs from shade and root
Spring competition with pre-emergent herbicides into bare soil E6A, EBA, EBB, E5, E10C, E10BE 5 $2,300
Monitor for invasive species, estimate percent cover of
each species present. EBB, EBA, E3, E4B, E4D, E4A, E4C 92 $700
Site prep and plant shrub thicket E10C, E10BE 2 $6,000
Protect newly planted trees/shrubs from shade and root
competition with herbicides EBA, EBC, E9, E10A, E10BW 2 $1,200
Summer
Maintain 500 feet of existing trail E10BW 0.05 $2,000
Protect newly planted trees/shrubs from shade and root
competition with contact herbicide within 3 feet E6A, EBA, EBB, E5, E10C, E10BE 5 $2,700
Fall E2A, E3(SW 1/3), E6B(W 1/2),
Foliar herbicide application to Oriental bittersweet E10BW, E10A(W 1/3), E9(NW 1/10) 5.45 $2,600
E2A(S 1/2), E3(SW 1/3), E6B(W 1/2),
Prescribed bums of oak savanna E10BW, E10A(W 1/3), E9(NW 1/10) 3.45 $3,000
TOTAL $27,100
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 64 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
Table 25. Land management activities at Four Mounds Park scheduled to be completed in 2023.
i
� ��
Winter Crop Tree Release E10A, E9, EBD, E8C 3.6 $3,000
Burn gressland E1 B, E1A, E2B 182 $3,800
Protect newly planted trees/shrubs from shade and root
competition with pre-emergent herbicides into bare soil E6A, E10C, E10BE 5.8 $2,300
Monitor for invasive species,estimate percent cover of
Spring each species present. E2B, E2A, E6B, E6A, E6C 4 $600
Protect newly planted trees/shrubs from shade and root
competition with pre-emergent herbicides into bare soil E6A, E5, E10C, E10BE 5 $1,700
Botanical re-inventory site visit 1 of 2 Prairie remnant 20 $2,500
Protect newly planted trees/shrubs from shade and root
competition with herbicides E10C, E10BE 2 $1,200
EBA, EBC, E9, E10A, E10BW,and
Summer Maintain 500 feet of existing trail E10BE 0.05 $2,000
Construct second mile of new trail TBD by Trail Plan 0.5 $10Q000
Botanical re-inventory site visit 2 of 2 Prairie remnant 20 $2,500
Protect newly planted trees/shrubs from shade and root
competition with contact herbicide within 3 feet E6A, E10C, E10BE 5.8 $2,300
Fall E2A, E3(SW 1/3), E6B(W 1/2),
Foliar herbicide application to Oriental bittersweet E10BW, E10A(W 1/3), E9(NW 1/10) 5.45 $2,600
E2A(S 1/2), E3(SW 1/3), E6B(W 1/2),
Prescribed bums of oak savanna E10BW, E10A(W 1/3), E9(NW 1/10) 3.45 $3,000
TOTAL $127,500
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 65 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
Table 26. Land management timeline and budget summary for 2019-2028.
� �
2019 See Table 20 $107,900
2020 See Table 21 $57,450
2021 See Table 22 $127,050
z�zz See Table 23 $27,100
2023 See Table 24 $127,500
z�zq Protect seedlings in spring and fall in stands E10C, E10BE with herbicides;burn prairie in spring,inventory
prairie remnant again; Maintain 500 feet of existing trail in E10D; purchase high quality prairie seed to broadcast
into remnant prairie as determined by botanist; burn all savanna and prairies together in frst fall burn; Monitor
about 10 acres(E10C, E10A, EBD, EBB, E10BW)for invasive plants; Hand pull invasives outbreak in 1-2 acre
patch;Assess risk or hazard trees. Prune,fell,or remove. $5Q000
2025 Broadcast prairie seed in early winter or late fall the year prior. Protect seedlings in spring and fall in stands
E10C, E10BE with herbicides; Mow establishing remnant prairie monthly in summer in newly seeded areas.
Maintain 500 feet of existing trail in E10D and E2A; burn all savanna and prairies together in fall burn; Hand pull
invasives outbreak in 2-3 acres patch $75,000
2026 Hand pull invasives outbreak in 2-3 acres patch; Mow establishing remnant prairie monthly in summer in newly
seeded areas. Maintain 500 feet of existing trail in E2A and E1A;burn all savanna and prairies together in fall
burn; $4Q000
z�z� Hand pull invasives outbreak in 1-2 acre patch; Mow establishing remnant prairie once or twice in summer in
newly seeded areas; Maintain 500 feet of existing trail in E1A; burn all savanna and prairies together in fall burn; $3Q000
z�z8 Hand pull invasives outbreak in 1-2 acre patch; Maintain 500 feet of existing trail in E1A; Inventory the site again
in summer,revise plan for the next 10 years in fall. Burn all savanna and prairies together in fall burn;Assess
risk or hazard trees. Prune,fell,or remove. $35,000
TOTAL $677,000
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 66 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
WHY DO THESE ACTIONS
Most forests in lowa, like Four Mounds Park, are valued by their owners for much more than the potential
timber revenue they may or may not generate, yet nearly all forest in lowa has been harvested multiple
times in the past. This reality demands us to take a look at what potential impact the proposed forest
management actions may have on the timber volume, type, and estimate its value over the next twenty
years.
Using the previously mentioned computer program T.I.G.E.R., forest management was simulated for each
stand as proposed. The basal areas of the stands to be thinned were determined based on the author's
professional judgement of the current stand characteristics, values and objectives of the client. Table 26
describes the thinning actions simulated in the program.
Table 27.Actions used in the simulation to help forecast the impact on the growth of the forest overtime with management. 'BA"
stands for basal area,the area in square feet of an acre of forest taken up by the trunks of trees.Selected BA were based on the
Upland Central Hardwood Stocking Guide in the lowa Forestry Reference Handbook" based on the current basal area and total
trees per acre for each stand,following the guide's line from that point down to approximately the'B-Line".
E2A 113.3 667 Ironwood,eastem red cedar,black cherry
E3 140 100 White mulberry,eastem cottonwood,shagbark hickory(partial)
Eqq 80 75 American elm(partially)
E4C 153 100 American elm,eastem cottonwood,black cherry
E6A 140 110 White mulberry,American elm
E6B 143.3 667 Hackberry,American elm,American basswood,black cherry,ironwood, and sugar maple
E6C n/a n/a n/a
E7 140 100 American basswood, hackberry,sugar maple(all partially)
E8A-D n/a n/a n/a
Green ash,American elm,eastem cottonwood,American basswood(partially),sugar maple
E9 133.3 85 (partially)
E10A 145 100 Green ash,American elm,ironwood,American basswood(partially), sugar maple(partially)
E10BE 140 67 Black cherry, honeylocust,American elm,American basswood,sugar maple(partially)
E10BW 150 80 Sugar maple,American basswood, ironwood,American elm,white mulberry,boxelder
Green ash,American elm,honeylocust,eastem cottonwood,black cherry,boxelder,paper
E10C 143.3 100 birch
E10D 120 74 Green ash,and black cherry
"lowa Forestry Reference Handbook httos:/iWww.extension.iastate.edu/forestrv/oublications/odf files/om1850 ref handbook.odf
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 67 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
� no thinning � with thinning
5,500 I
I
5,000 I
�
u
m
a
d i
� 4,500 —
> �
.
d
a
E
� 4,000 i
�J
3,500
2020 2025 2030 2035
Year
Figure 40. Current and simulated future timber volume comparing no action altemative(no thinning)with the proposed forest
management adions in this plan(with thinning).This chart shows that if these adions are pertortned,the forest will initially lose
about 1,300 board feet per acre oftimbervolume primanly the fast-growing species eastem cottonwood,American basswood,and
American elm.After a period of recovery the forest is poised for more rapid timber produdion of the retained trees in 2030 and
beyond.
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna, and Forest Management Plan Page 68 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
100% � Shagbark hickory
� Black walnut
� Sugar maple
m
75% White oak group
E
� � Red oak group
0
>
� � All other hardwoods
a 50°/a —�— combined
E
i=
w
>
.�
� 25%
0%
2020 2025 2030 2035
Year
Figure 41.Current antl simulatetl future relative timber volume with proposetl siretegic ihinning of ihe forest acres at Four Mountls
Park.All other hartlwootls combinetl inclutles:American basswootl,American elm,black cherry,eastern cottonwootl,green ash,
hackberry,honeylocust,ironwootl,paper birch, antl white mulberry. This chart shows ihat if ihese ihinning actions are taken,ihe
forest will be changetl somewhat to support more white oak,black walnut,sugar maple, antl shagbark hickory by tlisplacing all other
hartlwootls.
The model predids that the proposed forest management adions will support the expansion of adual and
relative sawtimber volume at Four Mounds Park made up of the following species: white oak, red oak,
sugar maple, and black walnut. Shagbark hickory will be maintained and all other hardwoods will
decrease. The adions will not likely eliminate entirely any native tree species from the forest. Instead the
forest will provide a greater diversity of healthier growing trees forthe neM generation including slower
growing, shade intolerant species like white oaks, and shagbark hickory.
Four Mountls Park Preirie,Savanna,antl Forest Management Plan Page 69 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
According to the simulation performed, the volume of timber of the highest quality trees forwildlife and
timber values (oaks, shagbark hickory, and black walnut) is forecast to increase by about 4,858 board
feet. This is about a 125% increase compared to the no action alternative. The slight dip in volume
forecast between 2023 and 2028 is due to the models prediction that large, old oaks will decline in the
mid-term until the younger aged trees can replace the volume lost. White oak is predicted to increase the
most by about 150 bf/ac, followed by black walnut 52 bf/ac, black oak 20 bf/ac, and red oak 3 bf/ac. Bur
oak and shagbark hickory are forecast to decline slightly in timbervolume by 7 and 12 bf/ac respectively
but their decline is reduced compared to the no action alternative.
� no thinning ♦ with thinning
2,850 i �
2,800 �
U I
A
w
a 2,750
� il I
�
0
> 2,700 - ! ��
v I
a I
E � i
~ 2,650
I
2,600
2020 2025 2030 2035
Year
Figure 42.As a result of the proposed forest management actions called for in this plan the highest valued mast-producing
hardwood timber volume of oaks,shagbark hickory,and black walnut is forecast to increase by about 205 board feet per acre
(bf/ac), about 125%increase by 2038 compared to the no action alternative. Most of these gains are realized by white oak and black
walnut.
In a future sale of timber, patches of"regeneration" harvest technique (small clearcuts 3-5 acres in size)
with subsequent woodland burns could be performed in areas where mature cherry, ash, and maple are
present to help increase the regeneration potential of even more oaks, hickories, and walnut than are
simulated here.
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna, and Forest Management Plan Page 70 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
� no thinning � with thinning
$4,500 �
� $3,500
�
? /�
�
>
� $2,500 � �
r I I
I I
$1,500
2020 2025 2030 2035
Year
Figure 43.As a result of the proposed forest management actions called for in this plan timber value of oaks and black walnut is
forecast to increase by about$1,400 per acre by the year 2038 when compared to the no adion alternative.About$1,272 of this
value is made by black walnut with white oak making up about$790/acre of value gains.
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna, and Forest Management Plan Page 71 of 104
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� no thinning � with thinning
$4,500
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o $3,500
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2020 2025 2030 2035
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Figure 44.As a result of the proposed forest management actions called for in this plan timber value of all species is forecast to
increase by about$1,210 per acre,by the year 2038 an increase by about 38%when compared to the no action alternative.
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna, and Forest Management Plan Page 72 of 104
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In addition to timber volume, timber value increases, investing in ecosystem management through the
recommended restoration practices will provide great benefits for game and non-game wildlife, pollinator
habitat, prehistoric cultural resources, and ecological education of the public who enjoy Four Mounds
Park regularly in their diverse school or civic programs.
Wildlife habitat quality will be improved by this management for species of greatest conservation need in
lowa such as the smooth green snake, Henslow's sparrow, and skipper butterflies and threatened or
endangered species such as owls, (barn and long-eared), bats (northern long-eared and Indiana), and
rusty patched bumblebee. Increased standing dead trees in forest zones and oak savanna will support
more red-headed woodpeckers, northern flickers, and lark sparrows for example. In more open prairie
areas, common nighthawk, grasshopper sparrow), dickcissel, sedge wren, and several species of reptiles
will be supported. Shrub thickets planted will add diversity of northern bobwhite and enhance pollinator
forage available.
Less than 1/10th of one percent of prairie remnants remain in lowa and half of those are in the Loess Hills
of western lowa. This site has known populations of prairie and savanna plants found in previously
restored areas including forbs such as spurge, tall coneflower, false boneset, legumes like white and
purple prairie clover, tick trefoil, and leadplant, grasses including switchgrass, indian grass, big bluestem,
little bluestem and side oats grama. We suspect that many more diverse plants await to be documented
in this mostly uncultivated forest or old-pasture property.
The undulating topography has provided for an incredible diversity of woodland plant communities found
across this relatively small unit of land including bur and red oak savanna, white oak savanna, mixed
hardwood regenerated forest of shagbark hickory, white, bur, black, red, oaks, and dense sugar maple
and red oak forest in cool, moist north and east facing slopes. lowa's forests were greatly altered or
destroyed by European settlement. Today, just about half of our land remains forested and most of that is
in a condition far different than before the year 1700. Generally speaking, lowa's forest today suffers from
high-grading by logging, permanent grazing by livestock, and colonization by invasive species which
starve native wildflowers of sunlight and interrupt forest regeneration. Located adjacent to the Mississippi
River, an internationally recognized fly-way of diversity, birds stop to forage along their way to northern
breeding grounds and their return to winter habitats towards the South.
Restoration of the diverse habitat types and management disturbance of fire compliments the cultural
preservation objectives and community benefits. The archeological cultural site, four burial mounds,
remain. According to archeological evidence in the region our understanding is that these mounds were
developed between 600 and 2,200 years ago in the late Woodland period. During this time, the
indigenous peoples who lived at or around Four Mounds Park would have burned the woodlands and
prairie to help suppress the woody vegetation on the site, facilitate hunting and travel through the terrain.
Returning the plant communities and disturbance regime of the people who built the mounds offers us the
opportunity to care for the special mounds better and offer great interpretive value to visitors of the land
who seek to better know and understand the people who cared for this land before the arrival of European
settlers.
Implementing this ecological restoration vision in this location is a wise strategy because thousands of
Dubuque students and their families who attend events at Four Mounds Park or visitors to Dubuque from
across the region who stay overnight at the bed and breakfast will be learning this through osmosis. It is
important to expand the common knowledge of these practices so other landowners, more than 85% of
lowa's forest is privately owned, can also become motivated to take new management efforts on land
they own as well. According to the recent United States Forest Service's Forest Inventory and Analysis
and Woodland Owner Survey in lowa, with regards to land parcels with ten or greater acres of forest,
fewer than 20% of those owners have received any professional advice about how to manage their land.
Diversity of partnerships have a proven track record on this site ranging from city to private funding
sources organized by the non-profit staff at the Four Mounds Foundation. USFWS biologist Gregg
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 73 of 104
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Pattison has been assisting and providing funds when available to assist with the project including
drafting a fire management policy document that will be crucial to get burn plans approved by the City of
Dubuque. The DNR private lands biologist Greg Schmitt has reviewed the site and is involved in offering
recommendations for wildlife monitoring and how to develop the site for the widest wildlife diversity
potential.
There is an urgent need to invest in this site in particular due to the rapid encroachment of Oriental
bittersweet, buckthorn, Japanese barberry, garlic mustard, and honeysuckle as well as the native woody
plant sumac currently racing into the partially complete savanna and prairie management that has been
conducted over the past several years.
ENVIRONMENTAL, ECONOMIC, AND SOCIAL IMPACTS
Over the next ten years, this plan calls for about 20 acres of woody trees and shrubs to be cut, piled, and
burned from prairie and savanna remnants. These same 20 acres are to be repeatedly burned during the
dormant season. About 25 acres of invasive species will be either cut and sprayed or strategically foliar
sprayed by herbicides. Young invasive plants in about 25 acres will be hand pulled by volunteers
(repeatedly in the case of garlic mustard) until management objectives are achieved. Three acres of trees
and three acres of shrubs will be planted and established with the aid of shelters, herbicide, and mowing
to manage competition. 20 acres of trees will be strategically thinned using the forestry management
technique known as Crop Tree Release. Two miles of sustainable native surface walking trails will be
constructed and maintained.
The funds to perform this work estimated to be $677,000 over 10 years will pay private contractors who
own businesses and serve clients in lowa and are licensed to perform the ecosystem management work
including prescribed burning. Volunteers will be engaging directly in environmentally sound actions,
getting exercise, and time outside, away from their electronic devices.
Some of these recommended activities can be performed by Four Mounds Park volunteers with little risk
of harm to the forest or themselves. Here is a suggested plan including time of year when their efforts can
be most effectively put to work:
• April-May
o Pull tall, flowering stalk by hand, stick in a garbage bag, and haul out of woods
■ Garlic mustard
o Materials needed:Water bottles, snacks to share during a break, laminated 3.5x5 inch
photos to identify the plants, "contractor-grade" black plastic garbage bags, gardening
gloves, long sleeved shirts, pants and closed-toed shoes, a Four Mounds Park Stand
Map with their zone circled on the map.
• March-May, and September-November
o Pull woody invasive plants less than three feet tall, drop on the forest floor
■ Japanese barberry
■ Bush honeysuckle
■ Common buckthorn
■ Oriental bittersweet
o Materials needed:Water bottles, snacks to share during a break, laminated 3.5x5 inch
photos to identify the plants, a pair of pliers flagged with bright pink or orange tape,
leather gloves, long-sleeved shirts, pants, closed-toed shoes, and a Four Mounds Park
Stand Map with their zone circled on the map.
We expect this project will also draw more community interest to Four Mounds Park's cultural and
ecological features providing increased use of infrastructure for events, increased bed and breakfast
stays.
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 74 of 104
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FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Table 28. Potential sources of financial assistance for proposed management of Four Mounds Park prairie,savanna, and forest.
.�
Non-Profits Open
Community Foundation of Greater Unknown Communitv Imoact Grants Feb 15
Dubuque
Trees Forever $2,000 Workina Watersheds: Buffers and Bevond Dec.31
Municipal
City of Dubuque Unknown Parks and Recreation in-kind support Unknown
County
County of Dubuque Unknown Dubuque County Conservation in-kind support Unknown
State Agencies
Dubuque County Soil and Water $50-$600 per acre Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Open
Conservation District
lowa Department of Natural Prairie seed Prairie Partners�DNR Wildlife Biologists Open
Resources $15Q000 Citv Parks and Ooen Soaces REAP August 15
$5-$1Q000 Conservation Education Proaram May 15
$7,500 Habitat Manaqement Grant Nov 1
lowa DNR/National Park Service Unknown Land and Water Conservation Fund March 15
lowa Department of Transportation $1,500-$7,500 lowa Livinq Roadwav Trust Fund Requires 20% June 1
match
State Historical Society $10-75,000 Historical Resources REAP Late April
Federal Agencies
US Fish and Wildlife Service Unknown Partners For Fish and Wildlife Open
Service Learning Grents
Clif Bar Family Foundation $250-$15,000 Small Grants Feb 1,Jun 1,Oct 1
Dubuque Kiwanis and Rotary $500-$1,000 Small donations and potentially volunteers Open
lowa Native Plant Society $500 Small Grants-Education Jan 15
New Belgium Brewing $5,000 Youth Environmental Education March 31
For Profit Companies
Small cash donations and in-kind help around utility
ITC Midwest $250-$1,250 lines they manage Open
John Deere Foundation $7,500 Email CoroCitizenshio�JohnDeere.com Open
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 75 of 104
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EMERGING THREATS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Invasive species are the primary threat facing this forest over the next 20 years. The high amount of
"edge" habitats along roads, property boundaries on three sides of this land unit will make the likelihood of
return of invasive plants inevitable and re-colonization rapid. Coordination with all neighbors is essential
for the betterment for all in the area. The volunteers and public users of the land may accidentally carry
with them invasive plants in their muddy boots, on their clothes, so introduction of new pests into the
forest as trails are expanded and forest management creates more sunlight hitting the ground in the forest
is a concern.
Secondary to this is the impact of climate change including expansion of the ranges of pests and
diseases (oak wilt - infecting red oak group species, bur oak blight- Tubakia spp. fungus weakening bur
oaks, gypsy moth -feeding on the foliage of all trees, and others). Keeping as many diverse species of
native plants thriving on this site overtime is critical to diversify the site to prepare for what may come.
Unintentional or intentional damage caused by actions in the Cultured Area is also a threat facing this
unique land. Not only are the ornamental exotic plants a potential threat currently but construction of new
roads or structures with impervious surfaces to support the human activities on the site. It can be tempting
for current or future managers over the next two decades to view the woods, prairie, or savanna as
"unimproved land"that is available for use. The land management actions and decisions of adjacent
landowners to the east and south over the next twenty years will also have an impact on the land at Four
Mounds Park.
Leased deer hunting on this property or an adjacent one owned by a neighbor could be a potential new
source of revenue to help fund these improvements and is recommended in order to reduce white tailed
deer density to a more sustainable level to support wider diversity of plant and animal life at Four Mounds
Park.
In the end though, the natural places that people care about personally are going to be the ones that are
best positioned to thrive over the coming decades. Here are some wonderful places for all who care about
Four Mounds Park to visit and appreciate.
Fun places to explore at Four Mounds Park
• Largest bur oak inventoried is located in E4C- diameter 36"
• Largest white oak inventoried is located in E10BW- diameter 28"
• Largest red oaks inventoried are in E8B- diameter 46"
• Most impressive white oak savanna to restore - in E10BW
• Most impressive bur oak savanna - E2A
• Most impressive white oak regeneration - E3
• Stately white oak"wolf tree" - southwest side of E3
• Sugar maple stand - E10A
• Highest quality black walnuts- E10D and E4A
• Stand with the best mix of diverse high quality trees - E10BE
• Timber rattlesnake country?- E2B
• Goat prairie remnants- seek out the high open country - E1 A
• Great example of a "climax community" the final stage of forest succession - E7
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 76 of 104
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APPENDIX
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Figure 05. George Catlin, View on the UpperMissi,ssppi; Beautilul Praine Bluf(s, 18351838,oll on �nvas, Smitl�sonlan Amen�n
Art M useum, Gitt of M rs.JosepM1 Hartison,Jr., 1885 88 312
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oiMrs.JwepM1 Hanlson,J[, 1985 66330
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GlftoiMrs.JwepM1 Harnson,J[, 1985 65.329
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Figure 48.Histonc Vegetation Map bom the 1830s with 2018 pmpeRy boundary in cyan-a
neighborhood view.Vegetafion was surveyed in the 1830s-1850s,when Eumpean settlement
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mosaicofnaturalfeaNresfrombottomlandforesttothenorth,toprzinetothesouth.Muchofthe —
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FourMoundsPark Praine,Savanna,andForestManagementPlan Page80of104
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Figure 49.Histonc Vegetation Map bom the 1830s with 2018 pmpeRy boundary in cyan-dose up
view at Four Mounds Park.
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Figure 50.Neighborhood view of Four Mounds Park in 18]Ss Andreas Atlas with 2018 propeRy line in cyan.
FourMoundsPark Praine,Savanna,andForestManagementPlan Page82of104
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FourMoundsPark Praine,Savanna,andForestManagementPlan Page83of104
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FourMoundsPark Praine,Savanna,andForestManagementPlan Page84of104
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FourMoundsPark Praine,Savanna,andForestManagementPlan Page85of104
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FourMoundsPark Praine,Savanna,andForestManagementPlan Page86of104
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FourMoundsPark Praine,Savanna,andForestManagementPlan Page8]of104
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FourMoundsPark Praine,Savanna,andForestManagementPlan Page88of104
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FourMoundsPark Praine,Savanna,andForestManagementPlan Page89of104
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Figure 58.Hillshade relief map of Four Mounds Park with 2018 propeRy boundary in cyan and dashed black line. Image is Rom
from Light Image Detection and Range(LiDAR)data(1 meterresolution).The stands are also identified on this map to ilWstrate how
the speaes composition is affected by topogrzphy.
FourMoundsPark Praine,Savanna,andForestManagementPlan Page90of104
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Figure 59.This photo is typical of E1A-note the presence of Oriental bittersweet vines in the foreground and pole-sized black
walnuts in the background draw.Cessation of fre and/or livestock browsing/grazing 40-60 years ago supported the development of
black walnut and other mixed hardwood species(ash, cherry, elm,mulberry,cottonwood)growth in wetter draws.
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 91 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
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Figure 60.This photo at left,(the plant with deeply lobed, rounded leaves)of what is believed by the author to be exotic plant
possibly escaped from a Four Mounds Park Cultured Area currently established in the forest edges of E6A/E4C. It is also found in
the woodland edges of E1A.
Four Mounds Park Prairie, Savanna, and Forest Management Plan Page 92 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
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Figure 61.This photo was taken approximately in the center of E2B along the boundary with E1A facing South. It is typical of of this
area. Note the high density of invasive species,high level of bare soil, insufficient coarse woody debris and standing dead trees,
and low sunlight levels due to an overly dense stand. Formerly open prairie indicator species eastern red cedars reign.
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 93 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
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Fi �hoto is typical of Stand E10A note the absence c nt standing dead trees,low
coarse woody debris,and low sunlight levels due to an overly dense stand. High densities of young pole-sized sugar maple are
replacing large sawtimber scattered large white oaks,red oaks,and green ash.
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 94 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
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Figure 63.This photo was taken in the center of E7,facing South with Jay Potter in the background among large sawtimber
overmature basswood. It is typical of Stand that is at the end of its life of relatively short lived basswood(100-125 years old)species.
Note the absence of a healthy shrub layer,insufficient coarse woody debris, high bare soil levels,and low sunlight levels due to an
overly dense stand. Pole-sized sugar maple is present in the foreground.
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 95 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
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Fi das taken in area EBC,facing North and represents the goal of maintaining an open"viewshed"of the river.
The plant communities shown are typical of the stand with dense shrubs colonizing the site with scattered small sawtimber oak
trees.
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 96 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
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Figure 65.This photo was taken in the north half of E3/E4A facing north-northeast.This is a middle aged stand of trees with
scattered very old white oaks towards the southwestern portion of this unit. Downed trees and an understocked woodland area are
shown in the background at right. Note the high infestation of Oriental bittersweet,absence of a healthy shrub layer, insuffcient
coarse woody debris,and low sunlight levels due to an overly dense stand.
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 97 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
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Figure 66.This photo was taken in the center of E4D,facing northeast and is typical of the stand. Note the high infestation of
multiple invasive plants(buckthorn,Oriental bittersweet, Russian olive,multiflore rose,and bush honeysuckle).A healthy shrub
layer is absent,there are high bare soil levels.
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 98 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
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Figure 67.This photo was taken in area E4A,facing South. Large sawtimber overmature black cherry and basswood is typical of
Stand. Note the absence of a healthy shrub layer,and high infestation of Oriental bittersweet.
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 99 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
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Figure 68. This photo was taken in the West part of E6A,facing West among large sawtimber overmature black oak and basswood.
It is typical of the westem half of the Stand. Note the absence of a healthy shrub layer, high infestation of invasive species, high bare
soil levels.Advanced regeneration of sugar maple is present in the foreground.
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 100 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
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Figure 69. This photo was taken in the center of E6A,facing North among small sawtimber hackberry,and large sawtimber
overmature red oak and basswood. It is typical of the Stand. Note the high density of invasive plants including Oriental bittersweet
vines on the tree in the foreground.This stand has high bare soil levels. The forest floor is dense with sugar maple tree seedlings.
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 101 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
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Figure 70.This photo was taken in the center of E10C,facing west-northwest. Note the smaller,younger trees typical of this unit of
land.There is an absence of a healthy shrub layer,insuffcient coarse woody debris,and high bare soil levels. Invasive plants are
starting to take hold in this area.
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 102 of 104
PRUDENTERRA
GregB Pa�tison Quota NumOe
CP62PremwmP011inalorMixQuo�e Puo[e�ate
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seeame ea�e_s.rs ima«lao.i saaasisq�aa mon
No�es� mis mix was aa�eionea us�ng me in Nacs eammam.nom rvo�eRoe�i s,2on.
CommonName SClentilicName %ofMix Seetlsltt' Totallb
Gmsses
SitleoaLSG2ma �ouRlouacutlipentlula 682% OB 1]SOPLSIL
CanatlaW�IORye Erymuswnatlensis 19i0% �8 d.900PLSlp
ViryinFaWiltlRye Elymusviigmlcw 4B]% O4 1250PLSIo
JunaGraes Koeietlaulslala 0.8]"/e 3� 0250PL510
�i1lleBluestem 9c�isacM1ymm�sooVe�lum 9]5% 28 2500PL51�
Rwgh�ropsee0 SVoroboNsaspera 09>% OE 0250PL51�
Forbs
wes�e��ve�row aanniPammamuun� �.+ii ve o.aooa�sio
aniseHyaop qgastacliebe�lwlum U]E% 13 O.zooPLSln
Colum�lne l�pulleB�eoanadensls 0]B% 01 0-0SOPLSIb
CommonMilkweetl Psclopiessynaca 195% 01 OSOOPL516
BUVerIyMBkweeU Hsolepwtlube�osa 09]% 01 0250PLSIb
CanatlaMllkVeteM1 AsrtegaWsranatlensis 9]5°/n 31 2500PL516
TeIIBe�lflower Campanulaameticana Ol0% 03 0.025PL51�
WhiYe Prahle Clover Deiea can0l�um 195% 0� 0.500 PLS lb
PmpieFaineGlover �aleapumu�ea 9l6% 93 2W� P4510
IiIInolSBuntlleRawe� Da4men�M1us➢liimensis i150% 09 2.BSOPLSIG
PelePuryleConeflower ECM1inaceapallitla 0]9% 00 OOSOPL31�
Pumla Cone�ower EcpmacBa purpurea 4.ft]e O6 1250 PLS I�
OxayeSun�lower Hellopsl.sM1elienNoitles 1]]°k 01 0.300PL516
WIIOBayamot MonarOaflslubsa iJ]% �5 0.90� P4510
CommanEvenlnpFfimrdse OenolM1erabinnnis OSB% 10 0]SOPLSItl
Fotylove Beartltongue Pensiemnn OigAalls 035% �0 0.10U PL510
G�aineQnque(oll Polen011ea�9ule O80% 38 0275PLSIb
Yellow Coneflower Retlblda pinnata 390°b 22 1 000 PL516
BIyCk-ByB05u62n RI�GbBGkl3M1ltla 224°/u 99 0.5]$ P4510
6mwnayetl Sosen Fuubeckia Globe 1 R°o Ol 0900 PLS 10
O�IOSplderrvort irzaascen�haMenSs 0]5% 00 O.OSOPl51D
HoayVenein Ve�benssVltla 195% 10 0.500PLSlb
GoiaenNexanoers Lzleeurea 0.60% Oi 0.1]SPLSIb
Figure]1.Seed mix plan[ed a[Four Mounds in 201]-2018,abou[6 acres of cleared s[and E1 A.
FourMoundsPark Praine,Savanna,andFores[Managemen[Plan Fage103of104
PRUDENTERRA
REFERENCES
Aerial photos and other graphics accessed at the lowa Geographic Map Server- lowa State University
Geographic Information Systems Support and Research Facility: www.ortho.gis.iastate.edu/
Property maps accessed at http://beacon.schneidercorp.com/
Soil data table accessed at the USDA online Web Soil Survey: htto://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov and
Dubuque County lowa Soil Survey document available online at:
https://www.nres.usda.qov/Internet/FSE MANUSCRIPTS/iowa/IA061/0/dubuaue.pdf
Timberhill: Chronicle of an Restoration by Sibylla Brown. 2013.
Four Mounds Park Prairie,Savanna,and Forest Management Plan Page 104 of 104