14. Black Walnut Grove

Welcome to the Black Walnut grove at the Montezuma Audubon Center.

The largest trees in this 10-acre woodland are mostly black walnut trees which has a natural herbicide that makes it difficult for other native vegetation to grow here. However, invasive species like Japanese honeysuckle and garlic mustard can survive and thrive if left unchecked.

Through the MARSH! volunteer program, we have mobilized hundreds of volunteers to help us remove the invasive species here and plant native trees like white oak and red oak. The blue tree guards that you see in the woodland are protecting these seedlings from white tail deer and helping them grow straight and tall as they mature.

In the spring, look for wildflowers like white trillium, red trillium, Solomon’s seal, bloodroot, and Mayapple. Common year-round birds in the woodland include Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Northern Cardinal, American Goldfinch, Song Sparrow, American Robin, Downy Woodpecker, and Red-bellied Woodpecker.