Forest Hills Re-Wilding Study

Keep Durham Beautiful (KDB) volunteers performed Invasive Plant Removal (IPR) at this location on January 2026. Significant levels of Glossy Privet (Ligustrum Lucidum) and Chinese Privet (Ligustrum Sinense) were removed from the study site. This site has the characteristics of an Urban Edge Forest, very common in Durham parks. These areas are particularly prone to invasive intrusion due to exposure to windborne seed distribution as well as high levels of bird activity.                                     

Often, removal of invasives allows native saplings and the seed bank to re-wild the area as long as continued control of invasives is performed. In some cases, because of the high density of invasives removed, much of the understory (Mid level bushes and trees) no longer exists. In these scenarios planting of native trees and shrubs is appropriate to jump start the process.

As part of an NC Master Naturalist Impact Project in association with KDB, a study is being conducted to determine which types of trees and shrubs perform best in re-building the understory layer of the environment. The understory is critical to insect, bird and other wildlife as well as providing replenishment of the canopy as mature trees die off.

The wooden stakes indicate locations of the various trees and shrubs which will be monitored over the next year for growth, pest intrusion, animal browsing or loss. This data will then be utilized to formulate rehabilitation models for other KDB IPR sites.

Trees and Shrubs for the study were provided by Project Pando and Pather Creek Forest Farm. The species planted include:

• Beauty Berry-Callicarpa Americana

• Buckeye -Buckeye Aesculus

• Black Haw- Viburnum Prunifoium

• Dogwood - Cornus Florida

• Elderberry - Sambucus Ebulus

• Hearts-A-Bustin -Euonymus Americanus

• Mockernut Hickory -Cara Tomentosa

• Willow Oak -Quercus Phellos

• Paw Paw - Asimina Triloba

To learn more or volunteer, visit Keep Durham Beautiful’s Invasive Plant Removal Page