Re-establishing the Cypress Dome
The Student Union cypress dome was saved from the axe when the Union was built, but the native conditions sharply altered as the campus core was developed. You might notice that there are no young cypresses-- evidence of competition from weedier species, both native and exotic, that have established because the water table was lowered and the storm runoff drained into culverts. LNR will be re-introducing native understory wetland species that have been extirpated by the years of over-growth by undesirable plants.
Planting Along the Alafaya Frontage
For many years, the campus edge along Alafayal was deliberately left unmanaged as a buffer between Orlando’s spread eastward, and the campus core. In the last decade, it became evident that effective and sustainable land stewardship in Florida cannot be simply to “leave the woods alone” for the Florida landscape becomes choked with exotic weeds from around the world.
In 2004, the three hurricanes proved the weakness and ill-health of this neglected strip of forest. The sand pines were broken and twisted. In addition, the surviving trees were weakened and their cracked bark allowed bark beetles to burrow into the living wood, carrying lethal bacteria, and causing green-looking trees to die. Even now, large trees are dying overnight in this aftermath.
In December 2007, clearing of the accumulation of dead trees from the 2004 storms and the beetle infestations began.Additionally, exotic tree species, like Camphor Tree, Chinaberry, and the “Ear Tree," are being removed before they spread into the natural areas.
After clearing the dead and dying trees along Alafaya from Gemini to Central Florida Boulevard, L&NR intends to reintroduce longleaf pines, replant the understory with native flowering shrubs and grasses, and to maintain a beautiful park-like landscape under the restored native tree canopy. |
