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Red mapleRed maple trees in the understory could become important components of the overstory if large red oaks are harvested here.

BeechUnderstory and subcanopy American beech trees could ascend to the overstory if taller oak trees are harvested.

Red mapleThe smooth bark of young red maple trees. Most of the small trees in this stand are red maple, and most of the overstory trees are red oak.

Witch HazelWitch hazel is a common shrub in the understory here.

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Red Oak - Maple Forest
Forest Community

Large diameter red and white oaks in this small stand are the most valuable timber in the 130 acre Salisbury Town Forest. Many trees could provide veneer-quality logs, making some worth a few hundred dollars apiece. Although the canopy is dominated by oaks, the subcanopy trees are mostly red maple, and virtually no oak seedlings or saplings are present. Harvesting the oaks could result in conversion of the stand to less merchantable red maple or beech forest.

Geomorphology

This surface is part of the kame terrace on which Upper Plains Road is built.  In the town forest the original topography of this terrace was disturbed by the construction of the road, the town shed, and landfill dropoff area.

GigaPan

This panorama is made from 288 images taken on August 18, 2009. It covers a field of view of 182 degrees.
History

Few if any trees in this stand are more than 120 years old. The large oaks established at the turn of the 20th century when wild turkey and white-tailed deer were uncommon. Today, healthy populations of these animals eat acorns or browse oak seedlings, interfering with oak regeneration.

Important Species
  • Red oak (Quercus rubra)
  • White oak (Q. alba)
  • Red maple (Acer rubrum)
  • American beech (Fagus grandifolia)
  • Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)
  • White pine (Pinus strobus)

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