Mesic Red Oak - Northern Hardwood Forest
Forest CommunityThis is a dry example of a Northern Hardwood Forest with lots of oak – maybe four different species. It is also unusual because it has almost no sugar maple, which is a common component of this forest type on less droughty sites. This stand includes red oak, white oak, and chestnut oak, and we think at least one black oak. GeomorphologyThis flat surface is part of an extensive kame terrace uphill from Upper Plains Road. The rocky, gravelly soil material was deposited by a huge river running south between the hill and the retreating glacier. GigaPanThis panorama is made from 189 images taken on October 15, 2009. It covers a field of view of 196 degrees. |
HistoryFew trees in this stand are more than 120 years old, suggesting regular logging during the last two centuries. The town allowed firewood cutting in this stand in the 1990s and since then a dense understory of striped maple, red maple, beech, and witch hazel has filled in the gaps. Important Species
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