Quick viewing(Text Mode)

Trees of Valley Forge

Trees of Valley Forge

Tree in the Park Family () Laurel Family (Lauraceae) Family () American Beech () Sassafras () Bitternut () National Park Service American (Castanea dentate) Linden Family (Tiliaceae) Black Walnut ( nigra) U.S. Department of Interior

Black () American Basswood () Butternut () Blackjack Oak (Quercus marilandica) Mockernut Hickory () Valley Forge National Historical Park King of Prussia, Pa Chestnut Oak (Quercus montana) Magnolia Family (Magnoliaceae) Pignut Hickory () European Beech ()** Cucumbertree (Magnolia acuminate) Shagbark Hickory () European Chestnut ()** Tuliptree () Sweet Pignut Hickory () of Valley Forge Northern Red Oak () Family () Willow Family (Salicaceae) National Historical Pin Oak () Boxelder () Bigtooth Aspen () Park Scarlet Oak () Maple ()** Black Willow (Salix nigra) White Oak (Quercus alba) Red Maple () Cottonwood (Populus deltoids) Silver Maple () Birch Family (Betulaceae) Crack Willow (Salix fragilis)** American () Maple () Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica)** Eastern Hornbeam () Olive Family () White Poplar (Populus alba)** Green Ash ( pennsylvanica) River Birch (Betula nigra) Witch- Family (Hamamelidaceae) Sweet Birch () White Ash () Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) Yellow Birch () Pea Family () / Family () Black Locust ( pseudoacacia) **Non-native species Poison-sumac (Toxicodendron vernix) Bristly Locust (Robinia hispida)** Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos) Cedar/Cypress Family (Cupressaceae) Eastern Red Cedar () Redbud ( canadensis) Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus) Eastern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) Family (Pinaceae) Custard Apple Family (Annonaceae) Eastern Hemlock ( Canadensis) Pawpaw () Eastern White Pine () Dogwood Family (Cornaceae) European Larch (Larix decidua)** Flowering Dogwood (Cornus ) Norway Spruce (Picea abies)** NPS Photo Ebony Family (Ebenaceae) Red Pine (Pinus resinosa)** at Valley Forge Common Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris)** condition was first evaluated in 1983, and Family (Ulmaceae) Quassia Family (Simaroubaceae) was described as excellent. Over the past two American Elm () Tree-of-heaven ()** decades an increasing number of has Hackberry ( occidentalis) Rose Family (Rosaceae) resulted in undesirable changes in the species NPS Photo Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra) Black Cherry () composition, structure, abundance, and The spectacular display of fall foliage at Valley Figwort Family (Scrophulariaceae) Dotted Hawthorn ( punctata) distribution of native communities, Forge provides a dramatic backdrop for a day in the park. Princess Tree (Paulownia tomentosa)** Serviceberry () particularly forests. Browsing of tree and shrub Ginseng Family (Aralliaceae) Smooth Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis) seedlings by deer has eliminated the ability of forests to regenerate, leading to monocultures Devils-walking-stick () Sycamore Family (Platanaceae) of invasive , such as Japanese stilt grass, Holly Family (Aquifoliaceae) American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) above. Future management will focus on the 2010 American Holly () Tupelo Family (Nyssaceae) protection, preservation, and restoration of Black Tupelo () Family (Caprifoliaceae) forests and other native plant communities. www.nps.gov/vafo Blackhaw Viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium) Encampment-Era Trees State Champion Trees Encampment-era trees are those likely to State champion trees are particularly impressive or have been growing here in 1777. unusual examples of a tree species due to size, 1. Lafayette shape, age, or other trait. Sycamore Estimated to be 4. Knox Black Walnut over 300 years old. Also a “William 3 Circumference: 18.1 ft Penn Tree,” 3 Height: 93.9 ft indicating it was Spread: 113 ft growing in 1682. Black Walnut was used for NPS Photo gun stocks, furniture, 2. Maxwell Sycamore (nuts) and firewood Circumference: 20.9 ft Height: 119.9 ft NPS Photo Spread: 114 ft 5. Potts Blackhaw American sycamores Viburnum make poor firewood, but were used for chopping 5 Circumference: 2.4 ft or butcher’s blocks Height: 19.9 ft

Photo by Scott Wade Spread: 26 ft

3. Pawling Sycamore Photo by Scott Wade Circumference: 21.4 ft Height: 82.9 ft 6. Tindle Hornbeam Spread: 142 ft Circumference: 8.6 ft NPS Photo Height: 42.9 ft Spread: 53 ft Prior to European settlement, was 90-95% forested. In the Valley Forge area, Hornbeam was used for forests were cleared for lumber, agriculture, bowls or dishes firewood, and fences, reducing forest cover to approximately 60% by 1777. During the encampment of George Washington and the Photo by Scott Wade Continental Army, almost every tree in what is 4 now the park—and for miles beyond—was cut down for firewood, shelter, and defensive Did You Know? 2 6 structures. Post-encampment, small woodlots Forests create a cleaner, healthier environment. and hedgerows were re-established by farmers. The estimated 1,200 acres of forest at Valley Some areas of the park such as Mount Joy and Forge create enough oxygen for 21,600 people Wayne’s were re-planted by the Valley each year. At the same time the forest removes Forge Park Commission in the early 20th century. 1 3,120 tons of carbon dioxide and 15,600 tons of Today, forest communities cover 34% of the dust from the atmosphere. park and contain 110 different kinds of trees.

Top View