Northern Hardwoods

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While hemlocks make up the largest percent of our forest cover, we also have a diverse assortment of northern hardwood species and their associated understory, especially on the higher, drier terrain.

Birches make exclamation points at the edge of the woods.

Our largest ash tree; hoping EAB doesn't find her.

Northern hardwoods: birch, beech, and maple dominate hemlock on the higher elevations.

Fog rises in back of maple trees with newly minted leaves after spring rain.

Hemlock dominates hardwoods in the moist ravine.

The first sign that winter is losing its grip: red maple, Acer rubrum, buds color the forest with a pink haze.

Sugar maples in bloom.

Spring beauties, Claytonia caroliniana, carpet the ground in this forest opening.

The flowers of black birch make quite a show in early spring.

Hickory leaves almost look like flowers as they open.

Young stand of sugar maples with hayscented fern groundcover.

Dawn backlights this mature yellow birch.

Last to flower, witch hazel, Hamamelis virginiana, frequently blooms after leaf fall, making quite a show, often creating a mysterious fragrance in the forest.

This aging yellow birch has acquired a mossy patina.

Details of the bark, flowers and fall foliage of the tupelo.

This hole in a beech tree, Fagus grandifolia, was likely caused by bear digging for insects to eat.

Hayscented ferns are a common groundcover in forest openings.

The forest edge turns red and gold.

This large old black cherry may have once stood alone to provide shade in an open pasture..

Maples and ferns turn golden in fall.

Double rainbow shines over the native woody trees and shrubs.