Before you add or remove any plant vegetation from your property on Bald Head Island you must read the appropriate Guidelines governing Landscaping in BHA or MIDDLE ISLAND.
The original residents of BHI had a very strong vision of how and why to protect the native landscapes on the island. First and foremost, protecting the Maritime Forest and the vegetation in wind-blown areas such as the "scrub" and "pioneer" zones including the Frontal Dunes is providing the very components of island protection and stabilization.
Without the vegetation the sand will blow and/or be washed away.
Over trimming or clearing of the understory, clearing vines and taking out shrubs on the dune areas opens up for salt intrusion which will cause die back in the forest and on more salt sensitive plants. Once the plants and their root structure are gone the dunes may erode from wind and storm waves.
Also, trimming back or clearing of any understory or underbrush removes very important habitat for our songbirds and other wildlife. Removing native plants and bringing in non-natives removes food sources for our songbirds and other wildlife.
Here are some links to more information on these topics:
Click HERE to watch the Earthday presentation by Cape Fear Chapter of the Audubon Society President Charley Winterbauer on why our song birds desperately need us to plant and keep native.
Take a hike around Bald head with the BHI Conservancy identifying natives
Native Landscaping for Butterflies
Planting native for wildlife