Trees of Rimrock and Jake’s Rocks
As I gaze over the tree tops from Rimrock Over look on the edge of the Allegheny Reservoir in the Allegheny National Forest I’m struck by the sight of tree species that I almost never see in the forests of Northern Chautauqua County where I live, like Boutwell Hill State Forest, one of my favorite local hiking places. At Rimrock I see the dark green shiny leaves of a couple of Black Gum trees below the overlook and there are many more all around. That’s a tree I’ve don’t remember ever seeing in Boutwell Hill State Forest. And whereas Red Oak is the predominant oak tree in Northern Chautauqua...
Read MoreBoutwell Hill State Forest
While August is the last full month of summer, it’s not too late to go out and enjoy a walk through the local state forests, such as Boutwell Hill State Forest pictured here and a RTPI Natural History Atlas site. Many late summer flowers can be seen in bloom as well as a variety of birds flitting through the trees. So get out while the weather is warm, pick a trail and take a hike!
Read MorePartridge Berry (Mitchella repens)
While we were out visiting Boutwell Hill State Forest, a Natural History Atlas location, we came across some interesting plant communities supported by the rich soils found in the mixed deciduous and coniferous forest stands. This little plant is often overlooked, but these bright white flowers and the scarlet red fruits that will soon follow are hard to miss!
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