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By Bob Tomaselli & Kaitlin Muccio
In the heart of Hopewell Township, a quiet crisis unfolds under one of the rarest natural features of New Jersey: the mature American beech forests by Curlis Lake Woods. Influenced by a rapidly widespread disease without known healing, these stately trees are endangered for first-class arable land. However, a large reforestation test offers hope to help the forest.
A forest that is worth it
The American beech (Fascolia Fire) is the only species of beeches based in North America. Known for their smooth, silver-gray bark and highly towering height of up to 115 feet, it plays an important role in the eastern US forest provision of food, protection and nesting places for countless wild animals.
In Hopewell, one of the most important remaining lowland beech forests in Curlis Lake Woods near Pennington is located. These forests are not only exceptional for their size, but also for strongly dominated by Beech, a rare characteristic in the lowland areas of Central New Jersey. In the late 1980s, the location was the focus of one of the earliest maintenance efforts by today's Open Space (Freienderfriends of Hopewell Val Tal) (FOHVOS). After years of advocacy and coordination, Curlis Lake Woods became Fohvos' first major conservation victory in 1993.
Today, the forests have a system of trails that bake oak trees through mature beech, maple and red oak trees and extend along half a mile of undeveloped lake shores. The hiking trails connect to the Equestrian Center and Rosedale Park/Mercer Meadows, whereby hikers, cyclists and riders are served.
A new threat: beechblatt disease
Now the forest is exposed to a new and urgent threat. Buchenblatt disease (BLD) caused by the invasive nematoden Litylenchus Crenatae McCanniiarrested. The microscopic round worm infects leaf buds and leaves, flows trees and ultimately causes mortality – often within 2 to 10 years. The BLD, which was first identified in Ohio, has since spread to the northeastern USA, including the forests and the suburban district of Hopewell.
All beech trees in Curlis Lake Woods show a certain degree of infestation. While some experimental pesticide treatments have shown promising in the improvement of tree health or the control of the nematodes, no one is currently suitable for large scale in natural environments such as curlis.
Grow back a resilient forest
To ensure that the forest survives long after the beech decline, Fohvos and the Mercer County Park Commission (MCPC) have a great reforestation. The strategy: proactively with a mixture of local trees and shrubs to help a new forest to grab roots before invasive species can dominate.
Last year, 97 hectares of Lake Woods were released by invasive plants such as Multiflora Rose, Japanese Barrberry and Linden Viburnum. This spring, MCPC is delivered over 1,000 local trees and shrubs in highland forests and along the Seeshore. Types like Shagark Hickory, Mockernut Hickory and various oaks are used to regenerate the canopy. Seticians are protected from Hirsch with tree tubes and temporary fence.
The ongoing maintenance includes the monitoring of the invasive re -growing and maintaining the protective tube. Additional planting is planned in the next two years.
How to get involved
Two upcoming options invite the participation and learning of the community:
- Saturday, April 19th: Guided walk with Dr. Mike van Clef
The director of Fohvos Stewardship Dr. Mike van Clef will take a walk through the Curlis Lake Woods to discuss the ecological role of American beech and efforts to combat beech trace. - Saturday, April 26th: Community tree planting day
FOHVOS and MCPC will jointly organize a volunteer event to plant local trees and shrubs in Curlis Lake Woods. Everyone is cordially invited to restore this special forest.
The loss of the American beech will leave a noticeable gap in the landscape of Hopewell, but thanks to the early action and the committed administration, a new forest is already rooted – one that honors the past during the preparation for the future.