Native trees among invasive shrubs

Since large areas of our land have been covered with extremely dense growth of glossy buckthorn, common buckthorn, honeysuckle, multiflora rose, spindlebush, barberry and other invasive shrubs, the management plan involves clearing some large areas of land.  We are leaving some of the native species of trees, to provide food and shelter for wildlife.  However, portions of the land will look very different, because so much of the current invasive shrub growth is being removed.  This work will also result in improved trails for walking and improved views from those trails.

At this stage, the ground in the newly-cleared areas looks a bit messy and rough, but this will change in the spring.  After the snow melts, we will do a second pass to cut the stumps down closer to ground level, and to grind up the woody debris.