Exploring a Newly Described Forest Community

Dr. Andy Cortese and Chris Graham, New York Natural Heritage Program Ecologists

Saturday, May 30th | 9 am – 5:00 pm

Join us to check out a large example of the newly described mountain bench hardwood forest community on Hemlock and Winnisook Lake mountains, and meander through an old-growth northern hardwood forest on the way! This forest exists near the upper elevational limit for the dominant Black cherry, Prunus serotina, Yellow birch, Betula alleganiensis, and American beech, Fagus grandifolia trees, in which they exhibit a humble stature compared to those at lower elevation. We will also encounter montane species including Balsam fir, Abies balsamea, native Mountain ash, Sorbus sp., Mountain holly, Ilex montana, and Mountain wood fern, Dryopteris campyloptera. Our understanding of the plant species associated with mountain bench hardwood forests is far from complete, so your participation will directly help to enhance our understanding of this unique community by helping us develop a plant list. We will also bring increment borers and core some suspected old trees. 

This hike will be an off-trail bushwack with about 700’ of elevation gain and light scrambling over steep and rocky terrain. Participants will be rewarded with experiencing and learning about a community comprising expanses of gnarled, stunted hardwood trees that has only been reported from the Catskills, as well as having views of Slide Mountain and other high peaks. Trip duration will be approximately 8 hours, so come prepared with plenty of water, lunch, snacks, sturdy footwear, rain gear, and sunscreen if desired for this pre-leaf-out walk. We’ll meet on the early side because the trailhead parking area can fill up fast on weekend days. 

Additional details will be sent to registrants in advance of the trip.

If you have any questions about the trip before registering,  please email mountainhardwoods@nyflora.org.

All NYFA field trips are free and open to all.

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