Nature's Edge - Prescribed Burns - October 2006

The Village will be conducting a number of prescribed burns this fall. Prescribed burns are an important part of maintaining our beautiful native woodlands and plants. Fire is used to reduce the number of nonnative invasive trees and plants in our natural areas. These plant and trees have shorter root systems that are damaged by fire. This helps to reduce their population and keep them in control. Native plants have deep root systems and actually thrive when fire is used as a management tool.

Areas where buckthorn removal has taken place are key areas for burns. Buckthorn suppresses native plants and keeps them from sun light. After buckthorn is removed sun light is able to reach the soil and the seeds in the soil start to grow. Native plants spend much of their early growing period establishing their deep root systems. As a result non-native plants, with their shallow roots, quickly come into a new area and take over - once again suppressing the native plants and shielding them from sunlight. Annual burns help to keep these non native plant populations down allowing the native plants time to become strong enough to take their place in our landscape.

The Village will be burning portions of North Park and Florsheim Park this fall. If you live near these parks and wish to be notified prior to a burn please call the Village at 847-883-8600.