06/04/2026
One Tree, Two Tree, Good Tree, Bad Tree
When we started removing the invasive vines on the land by the Publick Playhouse in Bladensburg, MD, we discovered a shocking number of the invasive Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) underneath- 109 to be exact.
Gulp!
Kerry Wixted, M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County knew that it was time to create a forest management plan.
We brought in Bud Reaves, forester extraordinaire, and with the help of eight volunteers, we counted, identified the species, analyzed the condition, and mapped nearly every tree on the 2-acres.
There are at least 325 trees on site, a mix of natives and other invasives. Some are in good condition. Many of them are in poor condition. The vines wreaked havoc on them. There is an estimated 1,500 bush honeysuckle on site.
Now, Bud is going to go through all the data and create a plan that will advise us on how to best manage this seriously degraded woodland.
We are going to make this space healthy again. It's going to be a lot of work, but I know we can do it!