A new volunteer effort is being initiated to help enhance the eco-system of the forested areas on the lower campus area at ILC/ILHS. The primary focus will be on reducing the amount of invasive and encroaching species within the Immanuel forests, allowing native pine and broadleaf trees to expand their presence. As the native species expand, they create a forest environment that minimizes the opportunities for many invasive and encroaching species to establish any substantial presence.
The forests on the Immanuel property are very diverse with dozens of tree species including but not limited to red oak, white oak, burr oak, cherry, plum, chokecherry, apple, basswood, white pines, jack pines, firs, ash, alder, hackberry, chestnut, walnut, and others. At least 50 different types of flowering plants have been documented in just the past 6-8 months.
Less than 10 years ago, volunteers cleared a series of walking trails that meander through the entire expanse of the forests on the Immanuel campus. Those trails are regularly mowed by campus maintenance staff and provide 1-2 miles of trails where one can experience many examples of the miraculous handiwork of God’s creation.
Just over 15 years ago, it became necessary to do selective cutting in the forests to remove old trees and many deadfalls. Selected broadleaf and white pines were left untouched to help regenerate the forest with desirable growth. However, selective cutting also provides the opportunity for invasive species to get a foothold before desirable forest can totally rejuvenate.
Two aggressive invasive and encroaching species, buckthorn and honeysuckle, got that toehold and have annually expanded their presence. Buckthorn is notorious for rapid spreading once they mature and start bearing seed berries. End result is an inability of desirable, native trees to sustain growth in these areas and growing difficulty to maintain the trail system.
So…what’s the plan?
Step 1…In September, 2025 the first volunteer effort will be to remove honeysuckle and buckthorn within 10-15 yards of the trail system within the forest. The cutting will be put through commercial wood chippers, with chips returned to the forest floor. Herbicide will be carefully applied to cut stumps to kill the root systems and prevent re-growth.
Step 2… In 2026, selected areas with emerging broadleaf trees will be targeted for further removal, chipping, and killing of the root system of impacting invasive species. Targeted application of herbicides may be used during the early summer growing season where invasive species are in their first years of emergence.
Step 3…Monitor the woods to determine if any additional cutting and chipping is desired, and continue with targeted application of herbicides on newly emergent invasive species.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
September 13-14, 2025 (Saturday and Sunday) are being targeted for Step 1, the removal of buckthorn and honeysuckle 10-15 yards either side of the walking trails. A commercial chipper will be pulled along the trails by vehicle. Volunteers will be needed to move cuttings to the trail, put the cutting into the chipper, and apply herbicide to the cut stumps. While the work is physical, it shouldn’t be too demanding given the close proximity between cutting and the chipper. And, much of the cutting will be sapling size rather than large trees or branches.
Experienced chain saw operators are already in place. One person will be able to cut down trees faster than we can run them through the chipper. We don’t want to cut down more than we can run through the chipper while its on site.
Food is intended to be provided. If you’re willing to volunteer with the food preparation, we’d love to add you to the crew!! We’re thinking about grilling hamburgers, brats, and hot dogs with chips and purchased side items.
Schedule is to work from 8:30 AM till 4:30 PM with a break for lunch. It will be the same schedule on both Saturday and Sunday.
If you can only help for one day or only a few hours, we still want you on the crew.
If you are interested in helping financially rather than physically, the entire effort is being privately funded and donations are accepted. Costs for this Step 1 effort should be well under $1000 with chipper rental, herbicide, and food for the crew.
If you are willing and interested in helping, please contact one of the two following individuals.
Contacts…
Tom Beekman (thomasbeekman1961@gmail.com)(715-491-2025)
Kyle Scheberl (kscheberl@gmail.com)(715-210-0562)