BROWNS-WOODS - AN EARLY GRAVEL-PIT FOREST RESTORATION PROJECT, ONTARIO, CANADA

Few early examples of forest restoration projects are extant in the fo rmerly forested parts of eastern North America. In this paper I presen t the history and status of an early forest restoration project in a d enuded gravel pit in Ontario, Canada. The site was part of a deciduous forest until 1840, at which time forest clearing occurred. From 1874 to 1886 the site was exploited as a gravel pit. In 1887, under the dir ection of William Brown, it was planted with 14 species of coniferous and deciduous trees, of which 10 are still present. No soil preparatio n was carried out. The trees were pruned for 7 years, but in 1892 inte nsive maintenance ceased. In the 107 years since planting, the site ha s acquired some structural characteristics similar to the surrounding native deciduous forest, but it retains characteristics of an artifici al community. Canopy cover has increased from 85% to over 95% since 19 30 and is primarily Juglans nigra and Acer platanoides. Survivorship a nd current growth rates of native and exotic taxa have been similar. R ecruitment patterns suggest that J. nigra and A. platanoides will domi nate the canopy over the next century. The site is a useful example of the progress and problems created by attempts at forest restoration t oday.