Observing deer on a walk through a Leelanau Conservancy nature area is a good thing.
But can you have too much of a good thing?
The answer is yes for elderberries. Their chances of growing from fledgling shrub to small, flowering tree are greatly improved by avoiding browsing interlopers in the form of whitetail deer.
Consequently, elderberries are doing just fine in two fencedoff areas within 1,075-acre Palmer Woods Forest Preserve, the Conservancy’s largest nature area. So are honeysuckle and viburnum, as well as other native shrubs that thrived on the forest floor before deer numbers exploded with the cutting of old-growth forests years ago,.
“Right now, the changes are subtle and many people may not notice,” said Emily Douglas, land steward for the Conservancy, about the difference in forest makeup within and outside of the enclosures. “In another 10, 20 years it’s going to be very obvious.”
It was seven years ago when the Conservancy high-fenced 13- and 22-acre areas to create deerless test plots at Palmer Woods. Douglas said the sounds of pounding in posts and people working moved deer out of the neighborhood; luckily, none were captured.
A detailed census of fauna was taken at the time with the intent of comparing the variety of plants and their growth through the years. This spring Conservancy biologists re-surveyed the property. The study result will be released later this fall.
Douglas’ trained eyes can tell the difference without data. While deer stay busy keeping the understory trimmed outside of the fence, plants compete only among themselves within the enclosures.
Elderberries are impressive. This time of year they bear intricate and dazzling bunches of purple-black berries that deer would just love to gobble up.
Douglas has been impressed by the growth and height of young ash trees, most of whose parents have been decimated by the invasive emerald ash borer. The survival plan for the ash species is to continue to pump out saplings until a version emerges with immunity traits to stave off the invasive bug.
“They can seed proficiently. I never gave up hope for ash trees. I believe they have the resiliency to survive … You walk through the forest and you come to trees that don’t have disease. It’s early to tell. But that’s how diseases work; not all trees are infected. Some have resistance,” Douglas said.
There are plenty of deer outside of enclosures in Palmer Woods, although hunters are expected to cull their numbers this fall.
“I see them every time I’m there. I feel there is a pretty healthy population. Palmer Woods is part of a forested complex, so that’s where deer want to be,” Douglas said.
The preserve is open to hunting through a permit system administered by the Conservancy for some, but not all, of its properties. Hunting is not allowed on preserves near villages, with close neighbors, or that hold deed restrictions prohibiting the sport. Permit applications are available on the Conservancy website.
Palmer Woods is comprised of mature hardwoods, mostly maple and beech although some oaks are found in its northern parts. It serves as a buffer to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which is also open to hunting, sharing three boundaries covering two miles.
The nature area offers a variety of outdoor activities including a 10-mile hiking and cross country-skiing trail system and 17 miles of mountain bike trails. It can be accessed by Darwin or Wheeler roads in Glen Arbor Township.
