Native Haunts Consulting and Services

Do you ever wonder what your backyard had growing in it before the forest was cleared and the land razed? Fragments of the natural landscape persist in even the most disturbed or meticulously groomed areas of our communities; vacant and sparsely developed lots across the street or down the road are good areas to take notes from. These refugia give us a glimpse of what species grew here in the past- they can serve as inspiration,and sources of propagating material for restoration. The clues are always there, it just takes the right person to interpret them.We can make sense of the pieces and develop a list of plants to guide your planting efforts. We can supply many hard to find species or get them for you from reputable nursuries.

Curious about the plants that are growing on your property? Many questions may be swirling around your head- What kind are they? Are there any rare plants? Are they native or introduced? What about invasive plants?

I can accompany you on a laid back nature walk answering your questions and pointing out prominent species and important features of the landscape. These walks can be easily geared to an individual or groups;in 2007 I took a class of kindergarten students out on a trail walk to complement their educational unit on natural studies.

A series of botanical surveys during the course of the year can offer a complete inventory of all plants growing in a defined area. These types of services are most often used by conservation groups researching a prospective purchase or a donated piece of land. The information provided by these surveys aids in planning conservation priorities and management.

Native plants can be incorporated into any landscape design; you can be a purist and have only indigenous species, or mix in natives with a smart selection of non-invasive plants from other areas of the world. Even though natives are better suited to your general area, it is still important to have the right plant in the right place. I can advise you and make recommendations as to what plants could go where; there is a native plant for every application whether its shady and wet or sunny and dry.

Many common species of plants can be identified readily using Field Guides. However, there are many groups of plants like the asters,sedges,and roseaceous shrubs that require technical manuals, equipment like dissecting microscopes, and familiarity with specialized vocabulary to accurately identify the plant in question. I can advise you what type of material you would need to properly identify the plant;some ID's can be done using detailed photographs, while others need a specimen of the plant with reproductive structures and information like where it was found (habitat type). Depending on the time of year and lifecycle stage of the plant, identification may not be possible until the next year. Even in the Winter, lots of plant can still be identified, especially woody material like trees and shrubs.

Native plants are my passion and I love nothing more then talking about them. I can present a generalized lecture or a customized one with a specific focus. Topics include a "These are the plants in your neighborhood" photo tour of some of our most noteworthy natives, propagating and growing native plants, identifying natives, using natives in your landscapes, invasive plant species, and so on.

Native plants can be notoriously difficult to grow, especially from seed. Unlike many garden vegetables, native plant seeds often are in a state of dormancy and certain requirements have to be met in order to get them growing. Seeds in simple dormancy need a moist cold period at about 40 degrees for 60-90 days, then warmth. Viburnums have double dormancy where multiple warm-cold cylcles have to be met in order for germination to take place. Don't get frustrated,I can help you, send me your questions.

Just because a piece of land is being developed does not mean that everything growing there needs to be lost. Before the bulldozer lowers its blade we can come in to identify any rare, unique, or otherwise significant plants and quickly develope plans for their extraction. Plants can be removed from their original spots and put somehwere safe until the building is done, and then replaced. Another option for the ecologically minded property owner is to have significant plants removed and brought into a orphanage situation of sorts,put into holding, until they can be relocated into another area that is being landscaped or restored. We can't move large trees, but will move small trees, shrubs, and perennials.

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Fees

Fees are based on services provided and to whom they are given to. For example- educational institutions, like elementary school nature walks are done at no charge. Plant identification using submitted photographs are also free of charge.

On site visits for private individuals and businesses will be charged based on distance travelled from home base,types of services requested (i.e. botanical inventory, plant identification, invasive species identification, etc., and follow up work. Please contact me directly with your specific interests and needs.

Native Haunts, 317 Mountain Road, Alfred, Maine, 04002 United States of America

Last Updated on December 29, 2009