Forest Theater Tree Report

Table 2 lists the species, number and condition. This area (F1 to F4) contains 164 (out of 223) or 74% of the total trees (Table 1) recorded for the Forest Theater area. The American beeches are magnificent (79% “high”, 21% “moderate”) and should be preserved as they assume their rightful place in this climax forest.

Comments about regeneration under Total Tree Composition apply specifically to the F1 – F4 areas. Once the scruffy invasives and poison ivy are removed, the understory and edges by the proposed path might be enhanced by carefully selected, shade-tolerant native shrubs and small trees like Aesculus parviflora, bottlebrush buckeye; Aesculus pavia, red buckeye; Aesculus sylvatica, painted buckeye; Callicarpa americana, American beautyberry; Calycanthus floridus, sweetshrub; Chionanthus virginicus, fringetree; Dirca palustris, Atlantic
leatherwood; Fothergilla taxa; Hydrangea arborescens, smooth hydrangea; Hydrangea quercifolia, oakleaf hydrangea; Lindera benzoin, spicebush; Rhododendron species with emphasis on native, deciduous azaleas (complete collection) as well as the evergreen R. catawbiense, R. chapmanii, R. maximum, and R. minus; Stewartia malacodendron, silky stewartia; S. ovata, mountain stewartia; and native Viburnum species (in quantity). Collaboration with the Botanical Garden could result in a wild-collected, taxonomically-documented assemblage of native, flowering shrubs/small trees that serve aesthetic and educational purposes.

Table 3 lists the species, number and condition of trees located in the Lawn area north of the native woods (F1 – F4). This swath starts at the tip of the triangle formed where Country Club Drive and Boundary Street intersect and three Ilex ‘Mary Nell’ are located, and extends to the west side of the parking lot, including picnic tables, to the actual theater structure. Thirty-five trees comprised 15.5% of the total. Only two rated “high”, Fraxinus americana and Liquidambar styraciflua. Twenty-seven percent rated “low”; 69% “moderate”. This area should be considered in concert with F1 – F4, particularly if the new path and native shrub understory plantings are implemented. Removal of the “low” rated trees and pruning of the “moderate” and “high” rated trees would dramatically enhance aesthetics and safety.

Assess available lawn space after removal/clean up and then add species that mirror the F1 – F4 area. Recommend a short list of Acer saccharum, Fagus grandifolia, Liriodendron tulipifera, Nyssa sylvatica, and Quercus alba. Several strategically placed Pinus taeda, Pinus glabra and/or Pinus strobus are warranted.

Table 4 lists the species, number and condition in the Theater and east to a path that extends to Country Club Drive (F5 and F6 on the map). On the inside of the Theater, against the back stage wall, Morus alba, Ilex vomitoria, and Fraxinus americana, are ensconced. All could/should be removed. Recommend softening the wall with true-clinging, native vines like Bignonia capreolata, Decumaria barbara and Parthenocissus quinquefolia. There are several new cultivars of all these species that provide unique foliage and flower colors. No
supports are necessary since these species affix themselves to structures by “adhesive” means.

The 24 trees rank about 33%:67%; “low”:“moderate-high”. The slope next to the east seating area is a shambles with small regenerating redbuds. Several trees were removed as evidenced by stumps. Erosion is a problem. Adding a screening border composed of Viburnum rafinesquianum, Viburnum rufidulum (larger) and Viburnum dentatum would stabilize soil and provide enclosure. Behind this “screen”, larger evergreen trees, Magnolia grandiflora and Pinus spp., could be planted.

Several tree planting pits, now empty, are present in/near the theater seating areas. Consider replanting with native oaks like Quercus coccinea, Quercus falcata var. pagodifolia, and Quercus nuttallii.

Behind the theater, a grouping of large conifers would form the backdrop. Fast-growing pines are an option, perhaps mixed with Magnolia grandiflora ‘Claudia Wannamaker’.