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Z0'd -1kil0l ? 61U� 1011 WJCZ-% Fit" October 7,2003 qn-Z41Alt Ult Barry dl:Julia Knight Fax: 952-475-3121 P.O. Box 327•Prinoeton, Minnesota 55371 Office: 763-389-4342 For. 703-389-4346 425 Tonlawa Road Orono,Minnesota Dear Barry & Julie: It was interesting to see your site on Monday,October 6,and to bear about the difficult and unfortunate circumstances of your project. It's a beautiful piece of property and I think then are several things that could be done to protect and enhance It at this time. here are a few of my preliminary thoughts. I was happy to see that the majority of the older oaks and other quality trees have been left uncut. Most of those trees appear to be second growth,probably averaging about 100 years of age. Because of the dry southern exposure of the slope,the oak trees are more dominant and are probably only one step removed from the more open grassland that was there just a few hundred years earlier. The existing root mass and kof litter will serve very well to restrict erosion. I really have no concerns about soil running down into the lake. On the other hand,the dry nature of the site and the shade will make it a little more challenging to establish ground layer vegetation. I am confident,however,that the right native seeds amid plants could be established to provide color,habitat and further erosion control. I will prepare an outline to specify how this can be done and what materials to use. As almost everyone now understands,European buckthorn has become an immense problem. Your property is no exception and the removal of buckthorn that has already been done is a great start. Additional removal should be done wherever buckthorn exists and the native species should be saved when possible. in the area where trees were Inadvertently cut on your neighbor's property,there are many desirable woody plants that could be replanted. These could include Chokecherry.June berry,Ironwood,Arrow- wood,Bush honeysuckle, and others. Although I think ground layer plants such as native sedges,grasses and wildflowers have an equal value to trees, if trees are necessary those species would be good selections. I understand that there have been some mistakes trade but I also know that restoring native plants could also result in an improved landscape. Cleaning your wood$ and removing your buckthorn was a good start. Now you'll need to develop ground layer vegetation to add diversity and to provide competition to the impeding buckthorn. We would No to help you with that process by providing the right materials and management strategies to get the job done. I sincerely believe that your landscape will be healthier and more stable when we get this work finished and I hope that everyone will benefit. The outline of specific procedures and materials will be provided as soon as time allows.If you have questions before then,please feel twee to call. Most sincerely, Ronald W.Bowen President Bringing people together with the land 1-10 ,ett• o,, ZO/Z0'd 669S9LVZS6 ZAUM HONA1 IIIN83W SE:LT £00z-L0-100