Shining Tree Woods, Norfolk County, ON Ongoing Field Trips
This very special conservation property is home to an array of rare species...including it's namesake, the Cucumber Magnolia (Magnolia acuminata), or Shining Tree.
Unfortunately, in recent years, garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) has begun to invade this area of the province. Garlic mustard has been called the purple loosestrife of the woods. It outcompetes desirable native species and left unchecked results in a mono culture of mustard. We've experimented with a number of control methods and this year will attempt to remove as much garlic mustard as we can by simply pulling/cutting, bagging and removing it...an easy, effective method that depends on many hands and repeat visits. 
We also need help cataloging some of the many special species that make up this forest and the adjacent field.
A visit to Shining Tree Woods is an event not to be missed! In spring, the woods are full of trilliums, hepatica, trout lily and other spring ephemerals. If we can stop the garlic mustard invasion it will remain so. Please join us!
Please wear clothing appropriate to the weather and bring gardening gloves if desired.
