Natural Heritage

Vegetation

These parcels show a history of human use. Near the Palmer-Adams Preserve, a former schoolhouse site near the intersection of Bald Hill School Road and Leonard Road is marked by an abundance of naturalized species, such as periwinkle (Vinca minor). Parts of this property were cleared for agriculture, but later reverted to forest.

In the northwest corner of the site, the open form of the larger trees and abundance of hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) suggest that this section was used for pasture. Common woody species there include white pine (Pinus strobus), red pine (P. resinosa), aspens (Populus grandidentata and P.tremuloides), and sugar maple (Acer saccharum). On the hilltops and upper slopes, forests growing on previously plowed land are dominated by red maple (A.rubrum) and white pine.
Parts of the forest have always been forested but have been selectively cut. One such area on the hilltop is dominated by sugar maple. On the west-facing, rocky slopes of the Palmer-Adams Preserve, the dominant overstory species are chestnut oak (Quercus prinus) and red oak (Q.rubra), but black gum (Nyssa sylvatica) is also found there.