[To see photos and stories of this prairie in other years, go to the links on the main Hidden Oaks Savanna page.]
This is the year we started working on clearing under the oaks in the savanna.
8/2/2004 There’s one huge old Burr Oak, and grove of younger ones behind the bench – the start of the savanna.
9/6/2004 Looking in to the main part of the savanna from the bluff prairie, before we had done any work
9/18/2004 Hidden Oaks Meadow showing the big apple tree in the middle, and the edge of the aspen grove on the left.
10/9/2004 Our old path through the savanna, just where it ended at the bluff prairie.
10/9/2004 Another view of the savanna from the bluff prairie – before we started clearing
10/18/2004 This is the way most of that area looked before we’d done any clearing.
10/18/2004 Before clearing
10/18/2004 Before clearing – mostly Gray Dogwood
10/17/2004 Starting clearing work – we mowed and cut the brush under the trees.
10/18/2004 This is after some clearing, but there are still piles to remove. We moved all the piles onto a giant pile farther back in the woods.
10/18/2004 Looking the other way – toward the point
10/18/2004 More mowing and more piles
10/18/2004 Mike at work, moving piles
10/18/2004 Finished clearing
10/18/2004