RIVER BENDS PARK-WEST AND HOLLAND ... - Shelby Township

Habitat and wildlife use: This stand was primarily a dry hardwood oak-hickory type, with minor
components of maples, black cherry and shagbark hickory. Birds that live in oak-hickory forests include
great-crested flycatcher, eastern wood pewee, rose-breasted grosbeak, scarlet tanager, blue jay, ovenbird,
black-capped chickadee, white-breasted nuthatch, red-bellied and downy woodpeckers, northern flicker,
ruffed grouse and wild turkeys 10 . White-tailed deer, squirrels, deer mice and voles are the most common
mammals. Many of these species prefer and depend on acorns, but the hickory nuts with their hard shells
are significant foods primarily for wood duck, wild turkey, squirrels and chipmunk. Hickory nuts and/or
flowers are incidental foods in the diets of ring-necked pheasant, bobwhite quail, crow, rose-breasted
grosbeak, blue jay, white-breasted nuthatch and red-bellied woodpecker. Yellow-bellied sapsuckers feed on
the sap. Deer feed on leaves, twigs and nuts, white-footed mice feed on leaves and nuts, and raccoon, rabbit,
gray fox and black bear feed on hickory nuts and/or bark.
Recreational opportunities: This stand is a destination site as part of the Holland Ponds complex, and
receives frequent visitation by patrons. The old ranger station foundation could be made much more
interesting if an interpretive sign with old pictures of the building and the rangers using it, perhaps with a
floor plan of the building, were assembled and erected at the site. This could be accompanied with an old
map of the park or recreation area at the time the building was used. There is a side trail going east along
the hilltop, with a bench in serious need of graffito removal. This particular trail was established and signed
to allow visitors to get a glimpse of the heron rookery to the south. For better viewing, some tree branches
or entire small trees may need to be cut out of the way at different locations along the hilltop.
Potential for timber production: If timber production were a goal of the Park, this small stand may be worth
managing for long-term sustainable harvest. The oaks, sugar maple and black cherry are the most valuable
species in current markets. Nearly all the species in this stand provide valuable food sources and
nesting/roosting sites for wildlife, so they should be maintained for that purpose. The maples are more
shade tolerant than oaks and hickories, and without some kind of disturbance, such as fire, wind-throw or
timber harvest, the oak-hickory forest will eventually convert to maple-beech or some other forest type 10 .
This stand is very accessible by Holland Pond roads.
Potential for other uses:
Water quality issues: Activities in this stand which could potentially allow chemical pollutants to fall on the
ground surface should be avoided, as such pollutants could migrate downhill to the swamp below.
Important natural features: All the trees in this stand have importance for wildlife and people. The slopes
are also important features, influencing vegetation and wildlife use.
MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR 'STAND 4. OAK-HICKORY'
Landowner's objectives for this stand: Maintain this mixed hardwood/conifer forest for its aesthetic, wildlife
and recreation values. If feasible, add interpretive signing next to the old ranger station foundation.
Maintain the various trails in and along this stand.
Silvicultural Prescription:
Recommended silvicultural system: Uneven-aged management, favoring oaks, hickories, and maples.
Details of the silvicultural prescription: If perpetuating the oak-hickory dominance in this stand is
considered important, periodic small disturbances may be necessary to open the forest floor to sunlight,
allowing oak and hickory seedlings to grow. Planting these seedlings would help the process. Alternatively
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