Buffer maintenance is crucial, especially in the first five years after planting. But what does a "typically maintained" buffer look like if it is managed as recommended by experts?
The Alliance's Pennsylvania Forest Program Manager, Ryan Davis, walks us through a consistently maintained buffer and points out its identifiable traits. He also demonstrates the more tedious routine maintenance tasks, like removing bird nets, raking back matted vegetation around trees, weeding in tree shelters, and pruning damaged leaders. These small actions are as important as the recommended herbicide spot-treatments and regular mowing to ensuring buffer establishment success.
This series was created by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and the Upper and Middle James Riparian Consortium, and funded by the James River Association. Learn more about the Consortium at jamesriverconsortium.org/​.