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Swamp Cottonwood The following article is reprinted with permission from Scott Whalen and was originally printed in part in the Toronto Star. It seems there is something new under the sun after all. Just in time for Earth Day, the discovery of a Swamp Cottonwood tree - never before seen in this country - has been announced by the Nature Conservancy of Canada. The discovery was actually made in November of last year at Bickford Oak Woods, a protected area on the St. Clair River, south of Sarnia in Lambton County. Three scientists were conducting an ecological survey of the area when the tree, which is found more commonly in the southern United States, was discovered. Dr. John Ambrose, a botanist formerly of the University of Guelph who was also curator of botany for the Metro Toronto Zoo and is now a consultant, was in the forest the day the tree was identified. "I've been working with trees since 1974, but this was the first time when I was actually present when it was realized, 'Hey, this is a new tree for Canada.' " Ambrose was working with fellow scientists Gerry Waldron and Lindsay Rodger on the ecological survey when the discovery was made. "I'm just really amazed because southern Ontario is so well-known. Not just roads, farmland and cities and so on, but it is so naturally well known. Since the late 1700s or early 1800s people have been documenting what is here and we are still finding new trees. And these aren't obscure little orchids or whatever, but big trees." The stand of Swamp Cottonwoods, or Populus heterophylla, consists of about 63 trees and the largest has a diameter of just over 50 centimetres, or about half a metre, according to Ambrose. The tallest tree is about 60 feet high. Ambrose said he would estimate the trees are about 30 to 40 years old. Swamp Cottonwood is very rare in the north. There are only four populations in Michigan. The tree looks like other poplars and cottonwood, but it has a reddish hue to its bark and is recognizable by its olive green twigs, small buds and orange pith. Ambrose said the trees are in part of a wet woods with pockets of swamp. He said there was still standing water in the location where the species was discovered. "So Gerry (Waldron) and I are looking at this tree and we saw the leaves on the ground and they weren't cottonwood leaves, although I was thinking this was a hybrid. So that was my inclination, but Gerry had been looking for this species for a long time, and he knew the habitat was right." The scientists collected some bark, twigs and leaves and immediately went to reference materials to identify them. When he realized they had discovered a tree never seen before in Canada, how did Ambrose feel? "It makes your day. We don't know of any others in Canada, but there may be some elsewhere in this area." The researchers say the find confirms the importance of the Bickford Oak Woods for environmental protection. Other naturalists in the area, such as Larry Cornelis of the Sydenham Field Naturalists, agree wholeheartedly. "This verified that we knew (this area) was important and look what we have already found. This is a significant site and it needs to be preserved, which we have done and it needs to be managed for these species too. "So it was quite exciting to find a new tree for Canada." Cornelis said there is no danger to the recent tree discovery, because the stand of Swamp Cottonwood is located in the middle of the 762-acre Bickford Oak Woods. The trees won't be fenced or marked, he said. "We have to make sure it doesn't get crowded out by another species of trees or we may have to watch that an alien species doesn't move in. We will be monitoring it." Researches and scientists will also return to determine whether the trees are evenly split between male and female or are predominately one sex. If they are predominately male or female, they would be "clonal", Ambrose said, meaning they might all be from the same source. However, either way, their discovery is considered significant. Finding the Swamp Cottonwood tree in Canada underlines the need to look carefully in our own backyards, Ambrose said. "I think we have to stop (just) looking at pristine sites, especially in southwestern Ontario where there is so little forest that whatever is left is so important. "This is an example of why it is important, because here's one species that was overlooked, and no doubt we will find other species that may be new to that area.:" Bickford Oak Woods is located in Canada's Carolinian Zone, an ecoregion where forest cover has been reduced to under 11 per cent in many cases. The Nature Conservancy of Canada purchased Bickford Oak Woods in partnership with the Ontario government and other donors in 2002. Scott Whalen |
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My Spring 2003 Morel Season The fever would strike much earlier than I anticipated in some unspecified, of course, deep dark damp ash grove right here in Lambton County. Confirmation would come from LWI's resident expert, Peter "The Grand" Banks, that my delivery to him of a couple specimens would be the first recorded discovery of the half-free morel (morchella semilibera) in the county. I would have my initials beside this species on the master list Peter regularly updates. I was sure enough of identification for the couple dozen or so of my first-ever morels locally that they had already made the trip to a frying pan in some olive oil and pat of butter. As discarding the leftover oil would be a sacrilege, it was extended to infuse what would be a much more flavourful ham hash. In a feel-it-in-my-bones anticipation of great success in my upcoming hunt at the National Championships, I had brought along a couple 5 gallon pails for the drive north to Boyne City, Michigan. At hunt central all the talk was about this being a banner year. "The best since '89. Look for them in a grove of popals." (That's local speak for poplar or aspen.) It was good to touch base with fellow enthusiasts from the Morel Maniacs and others I'd met a couple years previous. The format would be the same with late afternoon instruction, tasting and then a practice hunt. Weighing in on how to find them was now-retired 5-time champion Tony Williams who offered that he "doesn't have to prove he can find morels anymore". In a competition he said to keep scanning the forest floor about 30 feet ahead and you'll find them as "rivers". Once you locate one, circle the find as you're apt to find more. In a 90 minute timed hunt his personal record is 480. That's one in the bag on average less than every 12 seconds! But hardly the all-time record, which is over 900. Really! Seems one of a pair of brothers competing had found the mother lode and amazingly, the other had come up with not a single one. When a complimentary soup sample came around for the audience it was a very generous 4 ounces reflecting the bounty of the forest floor this year. There was plenty left over in the cauldron and the servers were most happy to offer me a couple more. Last time the ration was about shot glass size. Wild mushrooms should always be cooked and for morels a rule of thumb is: "If it's not hollow, don't swallow." The half-free morel can be easily confused with the thimble cap (verpa bohemica) from the outside but the "cap's" stem is cotton-like when sliced open. Sometimes. The "edible with caution" department can indeed be very serious with "just one more" as there can be cumulative low-level poisoning to a deadly threshold. Hydrazine, a type of poisonous rocket fuel, can be off gassed while cooking these caps so care has to be taken here too. Some pickers simply pluck the cap and leave the stem behind. "I've been eating these all my life and I've never felt better." More on this debate at www.mushroomexpert.com. There was mention of the "Humungous Fungus" found by the "Yoopers" from the Upper Peninsula. It's a 2 mile diameter fairy ring calculated to be the most massive living thing extant on the planet. On the practice hunt I would discover my first-ever "blacks" (m. elata), the first shows along with some "whites" (m. deliciosa) and leave behind dozens of caps after the warnings. The half-frees are intermediate followed by "yellows" (m. esculenta) that I found on my first hunt. Elizabeth Tenhoeve tells me she has come to greatly appreciate the culinary merits of this caramel-coloured variety she finds locally. The evening's entertainment would feature, as Leonard Cohen sings in "Closing Time", Dick Solberg and the Sun Mountain Band which was "really happening" and with "a fiddler that was fiddling so sublime". I didn't stay around long enough to see if "the women tear their blouses off and the men they dance on the polka dots" but the place was definitely jumping all night long. Next day for the hunt, my scramble before reaching the woods on state land was greeted by the already encamped and reviled "those who had already been there". "Ya ain't gonna find too many morels in them there woods, Chuck." So much for the secret, guarded location. I would find only one black and that was after time expired as I walked back with an eagle-eyed gal who would spot a dozen I'd passed by. I did harvest some wild leeks or "slats" which were there by the truckload. A very impressive make-sawdust-like-chainsaw performance by the crow-sized pileated woodpecker and carpets of trilliums made up for my lack of mushrooms. But the day's winner would find over 400. His strategy was to run as fast as he could to places furthest away from roads. He checked in drenched in sweat. Every roadside had vehicles parked alongside and the occupants were hunting. Another cursed the introduction of a bastard wild turkey from Montana that had devastated his special spot. Another lady scouring a hillside said she would just scream with joy if she could find her first-ever morel. I don't think she had gotten over the time an experienced picker took her to a spot and told her to find. After no luck, the pro plucked several dozen from all around her. She was still looking at the time I left. For others the morel is the object of near-divine worship as their eyes glass over when the subject is brought up, and of fungi generally, for their role in the chain of life. For me, finding mushrooms is largely the thrill of this activity and the cooking is a delicious bonus. Next spring I'll be sure to revisit my local spot and explore other candidates. If conditions are favourable, a more focused effort to study maps of Boyne environs is called for to find the morels that are so incredibly prolific there. Like those with local knowledge, I too would like to find pails so I could enjoy them year round. Further hunting adventures will tackle the King Bolete, the real grand picking prize. I read they're up in Algonquin Park later in the summer. George Sunaitis, June 6, 2003 |
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Wetlands and Natural Areas Darrell Randell is the former Chair of the Rural Lambton Stewardship Network and is currently the south-western Ontario Coordinator for Ducks Unlimited. He recently joined LWI. There are no shortages of issues to talk about but by way of introduction, I thought I would start with my job and why Ducks Unlimited Canada has me doing it. Historically, DUC's main presence in our area has been at the large coastal marshes along Lake St Clair, Western Lake Erie, and lower Detroit River area. The importance of protecting and restoring those few remnant marshes was immense. On a landscape that in pre-settlement times was dominated by its' wetlands, such as marshes, swamps, and forested wetlands, we now have the most intensively drained and farmed region in Canada. The reality is that we have drastically altered the landscape so that it suits our needs better. We now have to ensure that enough of the natural functions of land and waterways remain in order to sustain what we have built. We can no longer consider nature as something to fill a void while waiting for development. If homes and farms and stores and factories are important to us, we must also have equal regard for our remaining natural areas. To put it in a nutshell, my job is to work with farmers and other landowners to build, restore, and enhance natural areas, especially wetlands. The Ducks Unlimited vision, has not changed, but it has expanded to recognize that small pairing ponds dotted across the countryside are also an important complement to reaching our conservation goals. These small ponds are important for many creatures other than waterfowl too. Many other species live in or near the water. The list of animals that benefit from ponds is large and diverse, but to give you an idea, it includes white tailed deer, wild turkey, bob white quail, cottontail rabbits, herons, terns, and a variety of raptors, reptiles, and amphibians. Aside from private landowners and farmers, I am also working with industries, municipalities, parks and others to help them develop their holdings with minimal effect on their operation while maximizing the natural functioning of their land. I see signs of a developing 'nature ethic' in everyone I meet. In some people it has consumed their lives, and they are driven to restore their property to a natural state. In many people it is an appreciation for wildlife and desire to share it with future generations. In a few people it is a reluctant willingness to "allow nature on the property as long as it doesn't cost me anything." That last statement may signal that there is still lots of work to do, but it is also a recognition that not all areas can be or should be developed. Next time I will tell you about the new program we have developed to help with pond creation. Darrell Randell |
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The Highway 40 Project There is a grand project underway along Highway 40. A natural heritage and wildlife corridor is being created along 40 from Dufferin Avenue west of Wallaceburg north to Sarnia. Shrubs and prairie species are being planted along the fence-lines of the highway. Under the leadership of the Rural Lambton Stewardship Network, various organizations are involved in funding and planting. These include the MNR, Ontario Power Generation, Great Lakes Sustainability Fund, and MTO. The planting of shrubs has been undertaken by the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority. Shrub planting for 2003 has now been completed up to Petrolia Line. The section north from Petrolia Line to Lasalle Line is part of Dow Hydrocarbon Storage. They have already planted trees and shrubs on their lands and along the highway, and have continued to do so this year. I personally have been involved with the tree and shrub planting both at Dow and along the highway. Core anchor areas (established woodlots) include the First Nations Territory (north of Lasalle Line), Bickford Oak Woods area, and Walpole Island. As well, the Sydenham River valley is a key corridor extending inland. Shrubs have been planted in various sections in one or two rows, depending on available land. Sometimes both sides of the highway right-of-way are utilized. Shrubs include Red Osier Dogwood, Gray Dogwood, Silky Dogwood, Ninebark, Elderberry, Nannyberry, Highbush Cranberry or Serviceberry. Conifer breaks of White Spruce are planted every so often. Prairie plantings include some larger areas. A mix of various wildflowers and grasses will be planted, mainly by seed. Existing grass and vegetation has been sprayed by herbicide to allow the seeds to be planted. Due consideration has been given with these plantings for safety concerns along the highway, as well as utility lines. Again, ATV's are a concern, as there is a well-established track along the highway. Most of these ATV users seem to have no regard for wildlife and the natural environment. It is hoped that this project will provide a continuous wildlife corridor from the Walpole Island area up to Sarnia and beyond. It is the first such undertaking in Ontario, if not Canada. Many of these projects have been established in the United States. The Northern Bobwhite is one species they hope to attract along this wildlife corridor. The only significant population in Ontario is at Walpole Island, and the surrounding area. Some sightings have taken place along highway 40, and other areas of Lambton County. While planting trees at Dow in early June, I encountered some Bobwhite on both sides of the highway near Lasalle Line. This was interesting, because the Bobwhite is one of the species that the RLSN suggest could increase in numbers. The project has much potential if it is successful. It will take time and effort to get established if all goes well. Dealing with prairie plantings is a challenge due to noxious weeds. These weeds are very aggressive and will hinder growth of a good prairie site. Prairies are dependent on burning for success and rejuvenation. Unfortunately at this time, burning will not be possible along the highway due to safety concerns and the inability to close down the highway for a period of time. Mowing, haying or spraying is the only option available for the rejuvenation process. This is where the challenge lies, but hopefully in a few years we will have something to boast By Blake A. Mann |