Woods Keeper at

Deepdene Park

Deepdene Park Spring Recap 2025

Spring did not disappoint at majestic Deepdene Park! We spent some of our time focused around the vale, targeting a variety of invasive plants including wisteria remnants, autumn clematis, chaff flower, bush honeysuckle, honeysuckle vine, false hawksbeard, and more. We came across many wonderful flowering native plants along the way such as Virginia Sweetspire, Strawberry Bush, Royal Fern, and Bottlebrush Buckeye.

Just like at our other sites that have invasive chaff flower (Achyranthes japonica) present, we’re focused on suppressing it throughout the trail system to slow the spread. If allowed to fully mature these plants can grow 6 feet tall, rapidly create thickets that displace native plants, and produce up to 2,000 seeds per plant! These hitchhiker seeds (with a germination rate over 90%!) easily attach to trail walkers and especially dogs, furthering the spread.

Thanks to Olmsted Linear Park Alliance for making this work possible. We’re excited to continue working with Birds Georgia and OLPA staff as we collaborate on plant management at Deepdene Park. If you see us out in the park we’re always happy to share about our latest efforts.

Winter 2025 Update

Overview:

Partnering with Olmsted Linear Park Alliance, Birds Georgia, and core volunteers, Woods Keeper joined the restoration efforts in the Summer of 2024.

Thanks to previous efforts by so many before us, much of the forest is in superb condition. However some areas are congested with evergreen invasive plants such as privet, horned holly, mahonia, elaeagnus, and more. Our goal is to suppress and remove those invasive plants to make room for more native plant biodiversity. Determining priorities is a collaborative process between OLPA and its partners.

Deepdene Park is just 1 of 6 segments that make up Atlanta Olmsted Linear Park. Unlike the 5 pastoral segments, it is a 22-acre wooded tract whose shade provides opportunity for many invasive plants to thrive. Stiltgrass and chaff flower are two of the more difficult invasive plants to control although its a challenge to which are are committed.

For more about Olmsted Linear Park visit altantaolmstedpark.org