| Fence Around
Research Site Includes Gates for Use
by Pedestrians
 |
Source: Tim Phelps
One of the four gates into the seed
orchard. |
During the second round of planting in the hybrid chestnut breeding
program in 2003, the plantation expanded beyond the boundaries
of the initial fenced plot.
Consequently, an eight-foot tall woven-wire deer exclosure fence
was installed this past winter around all ten acres of the plantation
to protect the young trees from browsing. Funded entirely by grants
acquired through The American Chestnut Foundation from the Hardwood
Forestry Fund and the National
Tree Trust, the fence is equipped with utility and pedestrian
gates for easy access from Rocky Top Lane for visitors to the
Arboretum.
Going to Great Lengths to Protect Each Tree
The woven-wire fence is primarily designed to keep deer
out, but visitors will also notice one high-tensile wire running
across the top of the fence posts. This wire serves two purposes:
to protect the low tension woven-wire fence from branches falling
off neighboring trees, and, once the wire is electrified, to deter
bears (who have been known to break many branches in young, fruiting
chestnut trees) from climbing over the fence to get a tasty chestnut
treat.
Source: Tim Phelps The Pennsylvania Chapter of The American
Chestnut Foundation hired Utility Forestry Services, Inc.,
to install an eight-foot woven-wire fence.
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Source: Tim Phelps A view of the fence adjacent to Rocky
Top Lane.
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