The King Phillip Conservation Woods is situated on Old Sudbury Road (Route 27) and Water Row Road. The area is stuffed full of invasive plants that damage the important tree species and smother other low-growing plants. Our small group needs many volunteers. We have made some progress on the initial trail at the pond and in the upland woods, but there is so much more than needs done. Volunteers will remove smaller invasive plants with weed wrenches and cutters and may get to cut giant Oriental Bittersweet. In the past, we have used hand and chainsaws for those!

Why help? Take a look at the photo posted of the Water Row Road side part of the 80-acre property. We are trying to get to the trees to prevent more damage like this. That part of the forest has a toppled canopy created from the strangling vines which killed the tallest trees. The vines have attached to the perimeter now and the area is filling with other invasive shrub type plants.

On the opposite side, the side in which we have worked for the last three years, the trees in one section are free of vines and some native species are again returning. In our next work date, we will continue up this trail, working to remove exotic honeysuckles, Multi-flora Rose, Buckthorn and of course, Oriental Bittersweet vines. These species take over quickly and dominate. Then only a few species take up the spaces that should contain many.

Urgent Need:

We are also looking for a helpful person with a gas-powered chainsaw that can cut over 12-inch diameter trees to clear a very large tree blocking the trail down to the pond and work site.

Contact the group and confirm this work day. We have other "adventures" or more simple work projects or outreach programs. We are only a few residents and volunteers of all abilities are welcomed.

What to bring: Long pants amd appropriate footwear are a must. Borrow our gloves and use our tools or carry in your own. Bring sunscreen and bug spray - ticks are out!

Bring a lunch and water thermos. Location: The King Phillip woods is near WaterRow Road and accross from Wolbach Farm- Sudbury Valley Trustees on Old Sudbury Road Rt.27, Look for the brown park sign and enter the lot. We will meet at the lot, but if you are late, just walk down the trail to the pond and turn left. Follow this trail until you see somebody creatig a huge brush pule. That would be one of us!

Note: There is some poison ivy at this site but people can work from the trail which is fairly clear. It is up to you what and where you are working and for how long.  We will work with you to find a space that you feel comfortable working in. 

 Students from LSRHS and Wayland High School can earn service hours working with our group.

Help to improve the access and experience of this trail site. In 2013, we are installing some native species and placing an interactive trail map box for rotating information, . You can help King Phillip become an improved recreational site. Please consider helping! For questions, directions and to volunteer, contact the group at SWEETinvasives@gmail,com