Based on recent forest surveys, the species that bordered the Red and other prairie rivers included white or American elm (Ulmns americana), green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica),
Manitoba maple (Acer negundo), peachleaf willow (Salix amygdaloides), eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), and, in favourable locations, basswood (also known as linden or whitewood, Tilia americana).
The burn will remove nonnative
Manitoba maple and other non-native shrubs in order to allow a healthy native tallgrass prairie to develop.
That summer, I had the large
Manitoba maple that shaded the back garden chopped down and shredded, roots and all.
Important species include hard, white and sugar maple (Acer saccharum); black maple (Acer rubrum); silver maple (Acer sacchariunum);
Manitoba maple (Acer negundo); and Bigleaf or Western maple (Acer macrophyllum).