There were two aspects of the forest management work in 2022. One was the laying down of dead ash trees. The other was the removal of the invasive garlic mustard plants.

The Branchton Forest has an old growth of many species, with Black Oak being prominent. Many of the Black Oak trees are coppice trees, meaning they have grown many stems from the one and only cut of the forest some time in the 1880s. These trees are now from 100 to 150 years old. Some of the
coppice trees are now weak at the base and come down under their own weight. Most of the dangerous trees have been laid down in the past, but a few may remain.

Recently, the Emerald Ash Borer has killed all the old growth ash trees in the forest. Ash is a minor aspect of the forest, and most occur in the eastern portion. These have been left standing to provide wildlife habitat. However, many are now starting to break and fall. Some are on the ground but others are
leaning on other trees and are very dangerous to users, especially children who may be prone to climb on the trees. Therefore, the dangerous trees need to be laid on the forest floor where they will remain for natural decomposition and nutrient recycling.
In early May 2022 a major wind storm damaged many trees. The damaged trees were cut down as part of the forestry work undertaken in 2022.

In addition, after 3 years of active removal of the invasive garlic mustard plants, the population is much reduced. One more year of active removal of the plants is needed to largely complete the removal of these plants from the forest.

The Region of Waterloo is thanked for the environmental grant of $3975 to undetake this work in 2022.