Hidden Oaks Point – 2023

[To see photos and stories of this prairie in other years, go to the links on the main Hidden Oaks Point page.]

The prairie has much less sumac than it used to, and not many of the aspen sprouts that I cut and treated are coming back. There are many more clumps of Prairie Dropseed. The biggest change this year was the amount of Whorled Milkweed – much more than I’ve ever seen here before.

On the western slope, where I cleared about 5 feet of brush last year, is filling in with mostly prairie species. Over the summer I pulled some Queen Anne’s Lace and a few other invaders.

I did one small project here this year – I cut and treated raspberries, buckthorn and honeysuckle that were growing up just below the prairie and above the big Burr Oak on the end of the point. I planted some prairie seeds in the open place – mostly seeds I gathered from plants on the top of the point.

I also planted seeds on the point: Downy Painted cup, Dwarf Blazing Star, Side Oats Grama (in the cleared part on the end of the point), Large Flowered Penstemon, and Cliff Goldenrod.

4/3/2023 First day on the bench this year

4/3/2023

4/25/2023

5/15/2023 Looking down the end of the point

5/18/2023 Looking up at the top of the point – with Hoary Puccoon

5/18/2023

5/21/2023

5/24/2023

7/2/2023 One Wood Lily bloomed here this year.

7/9/2023 This is along the east facing slope. Below this is thick brush that I’d like to clear someday.

7/16/2023 The middle of the prairie is very open now – almost no sumac; lots of Purple Prairie Clover, Leadplant, Hoary Puccoon, and Whorled Milkweed.

7/16/2023

8/10/2023 Whorled Milkweed is thriving.

9/16/2023 Unexpected Cycnia – I only found one larva here this year – on Whorled Milkweed.

9/16/2023

9/17/2023

9/20/2023 Looking along the edge of the brush on the west facing slope. I’m gradually working my way down – cutting and treating the brush. The last 5 or 10 feet were done last year.