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April 22, 2011  

Signs of Spring


Signs of spring have been slowly showing since the end of February when Skunk Cabbage flowers started to make an appearance.

Skunk Cabbage Flowers

And since the winter of 2010-2011 was an especially snowy and cold one, I thought it was important to show by way of photography how nature is renewing itself. Enjoy the spring photography tour!

Dutchman Breeches in Franklin Lakes Lorrimer Sanctuary

Dwarf Ginseng in Ridgewood's Grove Park

False Hellebore Sprouting in Ridgewood's Grove Park

Vernal Pond in Pequannock's Cherry Street Park

Trout Lilies carpeting floor of Hackensack's Borg's Woods

Spicebush blooming in Hackensack's Borg's Woods with understory of Skunk Cabbage

Pink Lady Slipper at Silas Condict County Park Kinnelon, NJ

Feel free to e-mail NJUrbanForest at NJUrbanForest@gmail.com with any comments, memories or suggestion! Thank you and have fun exploring!

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April 10, 2010  

Borg’s Woods Update 4.10.10


Received an e-mail from Eric M. showing good will to the county on Borg’s Woods:

TO:     Ray Dressler
Bergen County Parks Department
Dennis McNerney
Bergen County Executive
I wish to thank you for the following good work in managing the Borg’s Woods property.
(1) It appears as if the large uprooted trees will be left undisturbed for nature, and for scientific study
(2) Your recent removal of large limbs and small fallen trees on the Main Trail, from same 3/13/2010 storm
(3) Your recent clean-up of several large bags of yard waste dumped near Allen Street entrance by local homeowners
(4) Also a few months ago, Park’s staff evidently cut the half-fallen mulberry along Fairmount Ave that was hanging on an electrical wire. I had pointed that out to you on the city’s last cleanup day
(5) Since the volunteers removed and disposed about 300 feet of barbed wire fencing along Fairmount Ave (a few years ago), there been slow clearing of the invasive multi-flora rose, and invasive Mulberries (some fallen) in the former vegetable garden area. Unsure who is doing it, the County or other parties. It hasn’t been me.
There’s nothing wrong with ”thank you” emails. Most people do nothing but complain, and never extend their thanks when things go well.  Let’s hope things continue to go well.
It’s a beautiful time of year in Borg’s. The Spring wildflowers bloomed 2 weeks ahead of their normal schedule. Tree leaves are coming out now, as if it was already May 1st.   On both counts, it’s the earliest I’ve ever seen.  A little extra rain, a little extra warmth….
- Eric Martindale

Borg's Woods Map


March 29, 2010  

Borg’s Woods Statement from McNerney


Received an e-mail from Eric M which included a statement from McNerney regarding the recent “tree avalanche” and Vernal Pond issue in Borg’s Woods. Please see below.

FALLEN TREES — Dennis McNerney states that the County will not cut or touch the trees which fell during the March 13th storm. Presumably this means that major limbs and small fallen trees will be removed which are blocking the main trail which runs from Allen to Byrne Streets.

MOSQUITOS — McNerny stated that the County Parks Department will let the Bergen County Mosquito Control Commission continue their current practices regarding the water level and the mosquito issue at the vernal ponds.

This is not good news, but it is not unexpected. However, it should be noted that McNerney was called to other business and did not finish his statement. McNerney was copied on the e-mail.  A new blog will be posted regarding this matter if a response is received.

March 23, 2010  

Borg’s Woods After the Storm Pictures


I will let these pictures speak for themselves of the March 13th storm devastation in Hackensack’s Borg’s Woods.

Eric Martindale, who helped preserve the preserve stated in the Bergen Record on April 2, 2010 that “Trees blocking major trails should be cleared, but otherwise, fallen trees are characteristic of an old growth forest.  “The trees aren’t blocking the trails. In addition, large fallen trees provide habitat niches for various types of wildlife.”

Hackensack Riverkeeper’s own Capt. Bill Sheehan stated in the April 2, 2010 Bergen Record that “Bugs and other small critters will take care of the trees in good time, and that’s how you replenish the soil of the forest,” Sheehan said. “Things die, they fall down, they biodegrade, and new things grow up. If a tree falls in the woods, it should probably stay there.”

 

Borg's Woods Map

 

 

March 18, 2010  

Borg’s Woods Update 3.18.2010


Sad news to report. I received an e-mail stating that 5% of Borg’s woods or nearly an acre was destroyed during the storm Saturday March 13th.

The e-mail, received from Eric M. who helped edit the Borg’s Woods blog here on NJURBANFOREST stated:

“As far as the Blowout of trees is concerned, the fallen trees should simply be left in place. Except of course those that fell from the County’s land onto homeowner’s property. The event was a natural event, an act of God / act of nature. This is a nature preserve.  This is something that would have happened if no humans existed on the planet.  Just leave it be. Don’t cut them up into small logs, that would be unnatural.  We don’t want anything unnatural in the woods. The purpose of a nature preserve is to experience and to learn about nature.  As upsetting as it is, a blowout of trees is part of nature. And it is part of what an old-growth forest is about.  Therefore it is part of what visitors should see.”
Most of the trees that fell were mature 200 year American Beech Trees.  It appears most of the damage occurred in the southeast corner of the preserve.
More on Borg’s Woods:

Borg’s Woods After the Storm Pictures

Hackensack’s Borg’s Woods-A Living Museum

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