Lightning Tree - Andover

[Alan Ankers]

A couple of weeks ago, I visited Lightning Tree Conservation Area in Andover and was surprised by the large amount of tree clearing work that had gone on. I was hoping to see Elfins, which I have had good luck finding there in the last few years, but I did not find any at all. As some of you know, Howard Hoople has historically paid close attention to the elfins out there but has now moved out of state. I wondered if the clearing was some kind of habitat restoration that might help the elfins in the longer term (though perhaps not at present). I reached out to the Town of Andover and received this encouraging response from Ben Meade, the Director of Conservation:

 

Yes, I understand that the tree clearing work at Lightning Tree makes the area look a lot different, and different than what you expected.  The tree work was done per the requirements in the MA Natural Heritage Habitat Management Plan, and it was done under the supervision of Natural Heritage staff and a licensed forester.  This tree work was done to help reduce the canopy cover and maintain the grassland/savannah/early successional habitat at Lightning Tree.  White pine and other generalist tree species would otherwise close in the canopy and dominate the vegetation community at Lightning Tree over time, and this work was done to keep the area more suitable to a pitch pine and grassland-dominated habitat that also benefits Elfin butterflies and other, state-listed insects that are found at the site.

 

Again, I know the place looks different, and I sympathize if it caused you alarm.  However, this work was done with the overall ecological health of the Lightning Tree property in mind.  I hope you are successful in seeing elfin butterflies the next time you visit Lightning tree, and please visit often!

 

Alan Ankers

Carlisle, MA