I’m always puzzled by the fact that many of us feel the need to tame or cultivate the wilderness or natural areas of our property.

As a landscape contractor I am frequently invited to a potential customer’s residence and asked to price out the removal of trees and shrubs of a woodland area. When asked why, the number one answer is to create more lawn.

It’s important to understand these naturalized woodland areas are filtration zones to create cleaner ground water. The process of water working its way through the leaves, soil and stones is nature’s way of removing toxins to maintain drinkable ground water.

Keeping these woodland areas in place helps keep our environment cooler. During a heat wave, property shaded by trees and shrubs can be ten to twenty degrees cooler than sunny locations. Keeping our property in shade can save money by keeping energy costs down and maintains a more comfortable outdoor, as well as indoor environment.

Woodland areas are wildlife friendly. Birds, reptiles and mammals hide, nest and feed on the natural cover in these areas.

Inventory these woodland areas because it is important to remove invasive species, such as Barberry and Euonymus and replace with a more wildlife friendly species of shrubs such as Clethra and Vibernum.

Proper woodland management and leading by example as responsible land stewards will help teach our children how we can sustain our fragile, more crowded environment for future generations.