Good Oak Ecological Services

We are natural resource professionals dedicated to helping you manage your property in the most ecologically sound way possible. Our sustainable landscaping services focus on using native plants, rainwater capturing and infiltration and stonework with locally quarried stone on projects including design and installation of rain gardens, pollinator gardens, birdscaping and more traditional landscaping with native plants. On larger properties we restore woodlands and wetlands, install and manage prairies, control erosion on slopes and shorelines, conduct prescribed burns and manage invasive species including clearing brush.

We took the name "Good Oak" from a chapter in Aldo Leopold's landmark work A Sand County Almanac. In this chapter Leopold narrates the sawing of a dead oak tree for the firewood it will provide to heat his now famous 'shack'. As they saw through each annual growth ring in the massive trunk, he chronicles various historic and conservation events during the year each ring represents. At Good Oak, our mission is to "To restore ecological health and reestablish native plants to our landscape for the benefit of wildlife and a more sustainable future for humanity."

At Good Oak we want to empower you to take charge of your landscape. Education is part of our mission and this page is dedicated to detailed how-to guides and research help from us and other trusted sources. Learn about weed control, native gardens and planting tips, pest control, and prescribed fire techniques. Download Weed Identification and Control Sheets for over 70 species of common Midwestern invasive plants! Start with our basic guide to controlling weeds and invasive plants, or go straight to our list of weed identification and control guides for over 70 species Midwestern invasive plants.

There are many causes of eroded slopes in our landscape from new construction, to overgrazing, storm water run-off, or even dense invasive brush cover. Erosion from slopes is an environmental hazard because it pollutes our waterways, but it can also be a safety hazard as it threatens our roadways and home sites. Traditionally, concrete, stone or brick retaining walls have been used as the solution. However, the deep roots of native prairie and savanna plants can provide the stability needed to hold slopes in place at considerably less installation and maintenance costs than hardscaping solutions.

We can perform a variety of services to restore remnant natural areas and establish new ones. Careful planning, thorough site preparation, a high-quality native seed mix and dedicated maintenance are the keys to success. We also work to establish native woodland and wetland vegetation in shady or wet sites respectively. Although your woodland may look natural, many influences over the years such as overgrazing, logging and fire suppression have thrown these natural communities out of balance. Brush removal, weed management, selective thinning and sustainable timber harvesting may be some of the steps we take to keep your woodland healthy for future generations.

We offer a broad range of native landscaping services which we can tailor to the needs of your site and your personal aesthetic style. Good Oak specializes in designing sustainable landscapes to meet the needs and wishes of our clients. Our goal is to create landscapes that are beautiful, low maintenance, and provide habitat for wildlife. Our design styles range from formal, highly ornamental landscapes, to more natural landscapes like prairies or woodlands. All designs are custom drawn and highly detailed, and focus not only on the plants and natural features of your yard, but often incorporate features like paths, benches, decks, patios, and other structures.