Buffalo Bayou Park Vegetation Management Plan (PDF)

Chapter 5Significant Management ZonesPrairie Maintenance:• Hand-weed giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida) bi-monthly for the first summer. Decrease maintenanceaccording to monitoring reports.• Treat woody invasive species with herbicide using the cut-treat method• Monitor other herbaceous species like vines and poison ivy which may need herbicide applicationsPRAIRIE MAINTENANCE FREQUENCY SCHEDULE:MonthMaintenance ManagementNJan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept OctPracticesovDec TotalWeeding & Invasive sppTrees x x 2Shrubs x x 2HerbsTree Pruning x x x 3PlantingsTreesShrubsHerbsSeeding x 1Bush Hog x x 2Indicates range of time to perform maintenancex Indicates specific time to perform maintenanceWEEDING AND INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROLHerbaceous vegetation such as Giant Ragweed should be pulled by hand. Systemic herbicides should beused to control invasive woody species. Encroaching poison ivy should be avoided when hand pullingother weeds and treated with herbicides. Woody invasives should be treated with cut-treat herbicideapplications described in section 6.5.CONTROLLING WILD SAPLINGSDesired native shrubs, such as Yaupon holly, that grow in established prairies should be transplanted orleft to let prairie succession occur.PRUNING TREESPrairie perimeters should be clearly defined. If a prairie butts up to a row or stand of trees, the treesshould be pruned and maintained to identify the area as maintained and intentional. Native woodyprairie species including Baccharis (Baccharis halimifolia), Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria), and Wax myrtle(Myrica cerifera) established in the prairie should be left to provide habitat for birds and insects.MOWINGBush hogging shall occur annually in the spring between February and March. The cutting will removeold growth, disperse seeds, manage woody plants and help control invasives. It also simulates naturaldisturbances such as grazing, and to a lesser degree, fires.Boundaries should be maintained around the entire perimeter of each prairie. A 10-foot mowed swathbetween prairies and trails or wooded areas should be maintained during regular park mowing.SEEDINGAfter the initial establishment of a prairie, re-seeding shall occur as needed.THREE YEAR CAREPrairies will need brush hogging, weeding, plantings and re-seeding for the first three years to ensureproper establishment. Maintenance may drop to annual brush hogging after three years with reducedweeding beyond three years.October 2004 33 Buffalo Bayou Park Vegetation Management PlanBuffalo Bayou Partnership