Seedlings of Rare Black Hawthorn Planted on Ottawa National Forest

Black hawthorn shrubs raised at Forest Service Nursery and planted at Black River Harbor to boost population viability

Black hawthorn, Crataegus douglasii, is classified as a Regional Forester's Sensitive and Michigan special concern plant. There is a documented population of this shrub just north of the Ottawa National Forest boundary, but no documented sites on the Forest. The Ottawa Botany Program obtained permission to collect fruits from the documented site. Seeds were extracted and plants raised at the J.W. Toumey Forest Service Nursery.

When the plants were large enough to transplant, in September 2008, about 60 seedlings were planted in sunny to partially shady locations around the Black River Harbor day use area. This area was selected since the shrubs are generally found close to Lake Superior, when they occur in the Ottawa National Forest vicinity. The planting also coincides with efforts to maintain plant species diversity and resilience at the Harbor by ongoing treatments to control the non-native invasive glossy buckthorn.

Seedlings were mulched with straw to help them withstand harsh winter winds and snow, and brush was piled near each seedling to discourage deer herbivory. If all goes well, the seedlings will develop into a sustainable population at the Harbor, thereby increasing longterm viability for this uncommon shrub.