Brown's Woods: An Early Gravel Pit Forest Restoration Project, Ontario, Canada

Abstract Few early examples of forest restoration projects are extant in the formerly forested parts of eastern North America. In this paper I present the history and status of an early forest restoration project in a denuded 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 direction of William Brown, it was planted with 14 species of coniferous and deciduous trees, of which 10 are still present. No soil preparation was carried out. The trees were pruned for 7 years, but in 1892 intensive maintenance ceased. In the 107 years since planting, the site has acquired some structural characteristics similar to the surrounding native deciduous forest, but it retains characteristics of an artificial community. Canopy cover has increased from 85% to over 95% since 1930 and is primarily Juglans nigra and Acer platan aides , Survivorship and current growth rates of native and exotic taxa have been similar. Recruitment patterns suggest that J. nigra and A. platanoides will dominate the canopy over the next century. The site is a useful example of the progress and problems created by attempts at forest restoration today.