Introduction to the Trail

Background and Purpose

Location

Getting to the Trail

Facilities

Guidelines for Use & Safety Concerns

Seasons of the Trail

Post Sites and Trees

Trail Description

Section One: Town Hall to Picnic Area

Section Two: Loop From Picnic Area

 

Tree Species (list)

Spring Flowers (list)

Showy Spring-Flowering Shrubs & Trees (list)

Common Fall Berries (list)

Fall Wildflowers (list)

Common Ferns & Clubmosses (list)

Complete Species Listing (list)

Background and Purpose

The Kingman Farm Nature Trail has been established by the Kingman Farm Outdoor Education Initiative, the result of a grant by the UNH Sustainability Fund and support from the Kingman Farm. The proposal for the project was submitted by Garrett Crow, Professor; John McLean, Coordinator of Plant Biology Field & Greenhouse Facilities; and Stephen Bunker, Kingman Farm Manager. The purpose of the trail and corresponding trail guide is to provide the opportunity for area elementary school students to learn about a local woodland ecosystem.

Location

The Kingman Farm Nature Trail encompasses land owned by the Town of Madbury and by the UNH Kingman Farm. The trail begins behind the Madbury Town Hall, crosses a shoulder of Hick's Hill, enters the western portion of the Kingman Farm, and proceeds past a composting research area to a picnic area in the woods. The picnic area serves as the start and finish of a loop trail which extends to the north and east. The entire trail is blazed with white paint and has a series of numbered study sites (marked by posts) which correspond to a trail guide. This booklet allows for self-guided study of the natural area. The picnic area is less than a 15 minute walk from the town hall, and the loop leaving from the picnic area is just over 20 minutes walking time. Therefore, the area is easily accessible and can accommodate trips of varying lengths, depending upon how much of the trail is walked and how many stops are made.

 Getting to the Trail

The nature trail begins behind the Madbury Town Hall just beyond the right rear corner of the Town Hall parking lot; a large wooden sign marks the trailhead. To get to the Town Hall from Route 155 in Madbury, take Town Hall Road, which branches off on the north side of Route 155 just west of the intersection of Madbury Road and Route 155. The Town Hall is a large white building on the right side of Town Hall Rd., about 1/4 mile from the intersection with Route 155.

Students coming from the nearby Moharimet Elementary School can simply take the path from the school to the church parking lot, carefully cross Town Hall Road, and walk behind the Town Hall. Other groups using the trail will find plenty of parking at the Town Hall.

 Facilities

The picnic area consists of a leveled clearing containing four picnic tables and can accommodate upwards of 30 students. This makes the area a perfect place for a class to stop for lunch, a rest, or to sit to write and sketch. As of the time of this printing (1998), no bathroom or outhouse facilities are available along the trail.

Guidelines for Use & Safety Concerns

Trail walkers will share the area with mountain bikers and the occasional horseback rider (winter users include cross-country skiers and snowmobilers). Mountain bikers are asked to use caution, and walkers are asked to yield way to bikers so that they may pass. The only motorized wheeled vehicles the walker may meet are those driven for farm use, and these are used almost exclusively along the dirt road leading from the open composting rows to the main Kingman Farm buildings.

Please enjoy the trail with all your senses, but please do not pick or take living things from this area--leave them unmarred for others to enjoy!

School groups are welcome to use the trail any time of year. However, weather conditions are most favorable from early May to the end of October. In addition, schools may choose not to send groups along the trail during November and December because of deer hunting on public lands. Although danger to people from hunting in the area of the trail is low, many choose not to take this risk.

The following steps have been taken to assure safety of school groups using the trail during September and October:

1) During the months of September and October, a temporary Safety Zone is put into effect around the nature trail. As defined by NH Fish & Game, this safety zone prohibits hunting within the zone, which extends 300’ from either side of the trail and is marked by signs spaced 300' apart.

2) Signs announcing the safety zone are placed at the beginning of all roads, gated or non-gated, leading in to the Kingman Farm trail area.

 Hunting for deer and birds is permitted on land owned by the Town of Madbury and by UNH at the Kingman Farm during hunting season. Since these seasons begin in September and October, these are the types of hunting which are restricted by the Safety Zone. Bow season (for deer) begins around mid-September, and shotgun bird hunting begins around the first of October (exact dates vary by the year). Firearm season for deer begins around November 1 with muzzle-loading season and in mid- November for rifles.

The nature trail is free from hunting during the spring and summer and during September and October. Hunting is allowed along the trail beginning in November; anyone using the trails during November and December is advised to wear bright blaze orange clothing for added visibility.

 Seasons of the Trail

Spring is a time when many delicate-looking wildflowers appear along the forest floor and woods' edge before tree leaves begin to block the sunlight from their habitat. Appropriate footwear for muddy trails and bug-repellent for blackflies and mosquitoes are useful, but the beauty of the flowers is worth it! Many trees flower at the end of April just before they leaf out.

During summer the shade of the forest trees is very welcome. Some wildflowers bloom, and berries begin to ripen. This can be a pleasant time of year to walk, especially during morning, evening, or cooler days--even rainy ones!

Fall is one of the best times to study trees in the forest. Not only do leaves begin to change color, but they can be picked from the tree or the ground in order to make leaf rubbings without worry of hurting the tree, since the leaves will soon be lost naturally. In addition, nuts, seeds, and other fruits ripen and can be readily found on the ground. Fall temperatures are comfortable, and showy fall wildflowers can be enjoyed.

At the end of the year, offers a different kind of beauty in the forest. If one is dressed warmly and can negotiate the snow, the shadows, icicles, and patterns in the snow can be intriguing. Wintertime also provides an opportunity to learn to recognize trees by shape, bark, and twigs, rather than by their leaves. In addition, it is an excellent time for observing animal tracks--and homes, like the squirrels' nests often seen in tall oak trees.

 To the left of the start of the trail you will notice a white post numbered "1"; this is the first of 26 posts along the trail marking tree species and other sites of interest.

Post #1. This spot marks a Red Oak tree. A common tree along this trail, the Red Oak is a deciduous hardwood tree with pointy lobed leaves and a well-known fruit: the acorn. Also note the vertical red-colored grooves in the bark.   Post #2 Just beyond the first post, Post #2 marks a large White Oak. It is one of just two large, mature White Oaks along this trail. A common tree in New Hampshire, this tree was once prized for shipbuilding. Notice the rough, light-colored bark with peeling plates, as well as the round-lobed leaves which are easily distinguished from the pointy-lobed leaves of the Red Oak.

As you enter the mixed deciduous forest at the start of the trail, immediately to your right lie several stumps, two of which are large and whose growth rings are still easily counted--this is a fun task for students. They may be surprised to count at least 116 growth rings in the older stump, meaning that the tree was at least 116 years old when cut.

Resume walking and pass large red oaks. In the spring Pink Lady’s slipper can be seen growing on the right. Although this orchid is delicate-looking and extremely difficult to transplant successfully, the Pink Lady’s slipper is not a rare or endangered plant. Concerns over people digging up these orchids to sell were, however, important in initiating the establishment of a New Hampshire law protecting rare and endangered plants.

Lining the left side of the trail are seven large rocks; the first two and the last have the holes remaining from the process of removing them from a quarry. The trail soon crosses another line of nearly buried stones. Here, a Shagbark Hickory grows on the trail's right edge, and a large Red Oak stands to the left. Note the white crystalline rocks nestled at the oak's base. Also observe the distinctive bark of the nearby Shagbark Hickory: curved, vertical, peeling strips. Keep a lookout for more such bark along the remainder of the trail. Before moving on from this site, notice the variety of trees to be found within a fifteen foot radius: Red Oak, Shagbark Hickory, White Pine, Hemlock, Beech, Sweet Birch, and (small) Red Maple.

 

Moving on, you will walk past White Pines on either side. You’ll also pass a White Ash to the right; it has a distinctive, light-colored, diamond-patterned bark. Can you see the diamonds? Looking down, you will notice Wild Sarsaparilla, Fan Clubmoss, Canada Mayflowers, Starflowers, and Partridgeberry under the trees. In addition, more Pink Lady’s Slipper can be found to the left under a canopy of Red Oak trees. A bit further on to the right, notice the vegetation growing on a moss-covered rock, and the low, spiny-leafed Common Juniper to the right of the rock. Looking ahead on the trail and slightly to the right, you will notice the abrupt beginning of Hick's Hill's slopes. In a few feet a trail forks. The right branch follows the base of the hill and leads to the police station and to an old trash-dumping site (mostly glass bottles). This reminds us of the need to exercise stewardship of the environment and to thoughtfully dispose of waste.

Just back from this trail junction, on the opposite side of the trail, Maple-leafed Viburnum shrubs and several young Sugar Maple trees may be found. A short distance ahead, the main path crosses a stone wall and veers left to parallel it and avoid the hill. Keep an eye out for shaggy bark here. Note the white bark of several White Birch trees, all of which are host to fungi and are dying, if not already dead. Also notice the redness of the grooves of the bark of nearby Red Oak. Hemlocks are visible up on the right, as are Ground Pine and small, shiny-leafed wintergreen plants. To the left Indian Cucumber makes a companion to Wild Sarsaparilla. The starchy roots of the Indian Cucumber are sweet and rather tasty, but please do not dig up these plants, since plants that are taken may never grow back, and the number of people using this trail could severely diminish the plant population of this area.

 

Ahead on the right you will notice a number of White Birch trees, located at a fork in the trail. Please never peel bark off of trees, as bark is their "skin," their protection against insects and disease.) The left fork of the trail, after passing through a marshy area, leads to the Madbury Woods housing development; looking down this trail you will notice the ferns of the marsh to the left. The path forking right is the one you will take.

Take a minute to examine the stone wall which continues to follow the left edge of the trail. Consider the work it took for farmers to move so many stones, some of them quite large, in constructing such walls. Then imagine a landscape of criss-crossing stone walls, dominated not by forests but by fields. This was New Hampshire only a century ago, when eighty percent of the forests were cleared for agriculture and pasture. Today, though, about eighty-five percent of New Hampshire is covered by forests and woods, and the forest is not losing ground overall: more trees continue to grow than are cut each year. (In southern New Hampshire, though, development of housing does diminish our forests.)

When you begin walking again, watch your step so as not to trip on the small stumps, roots, and stones which lie on this slope. Walk only a few steps up this trail and you will notice that the forest has changed character--Hemlock has become an important part of the forest, resulting in less light reaching the forest floor to encourage undergrowth. The path begins to wind uphill to the right; notice here the large rocks strewn across the valley on your left. This is the steepest portion of the climb, but before long, you will reach the crest of the hill, seeing a moist, fern-filled drainage area to your left.

When the trail stops climbing, it curves left through Hemlock, Red Oak, and White Birch, presently intersecting with another trail in a perpendicular fashion. Taking a right would bring you to the summit of Hick's Hill. Take a left and the trail will bring you downhill to the Kingman Farm. Watch your step as you descend. Pause a moment and look for two trees with holes bored into them: one showing trails of bugs burrowing into it, and one with a hole bored completely through the tree.

On your way down, look for the wavy-edged leaves of Witch-hazel, a small, arching, understory tree, which is known to have medicinal properties. In the fall look for its yellow flowers with delicate, narrow, strap-shaped petals, which persist even after the trees’ leaves drop. Before the trail levels off, you pass through a "corduroy" area of trail where saplings have been placed across a muddy area of the trail. (Imagine traveling colonial corduroy roads paved with such a pattern of trees.)

The terrain levels and the Hemlock is left behind for a forest composed almost entirely of Beech. A distinctive feature of Beech trees is their smooth, gray bark, present even in the oldest specimens. While young Red Maples have similar smooth, gray bark, mature Red Maple bark becomes ridged and platy. The small number of smooth-trunked Red Maples scattered throughout this Beech forest may elude you, though, unless you look up at the leaves. Red Oak and White Birch are the other tree species found in small numbers in this area.

After passing through the Beech forest, the trail curves to the left downhill past a White Pine and several Hemlocks. You are nearly at the Kingman Farm and the picnic area! Just before the trail reaches an intersection, note the very large holes in a large Hemlock to your left. This is the work of a woodpecker, most likely a large Pileated Woodpecker.

The path presently forks and then joins a trail which leads to Kingman Farm on the right and Madbury Woods homes to the left. Take the right fork, turning onto the wide woods road, which leads to the Kingman Farm compost area. This portion of the woods is composed of a mixture of tree species, although the forest on the right is mainly composed of Beech and Hemlock. On the opposite side of the trail lies a wetland.

Post #3. As you walk, notice the papery golden curls in the bark of a Yellow Birch on the right. Although the shading Hemlocks prevent much groundcover, Canada Mayflower and Partridgeberry can be found growing right along the trail here. The parasitic Beech Drops can be seen in the fall. Their roots tap into underground Beech roots, and because they have no green chlorophyll to make their own food, Beech Drops get all their nourishment from the Beech.

 To get a look at the leaves of the Yellow Birch, look on the opposite side of the trail (also Post #3). Here, as well, are the spring wildflowers Wood Anemone, Mayflower, Starflower, Partridgeberry, Wintergreen, and Lowbush blueberry. Fall-flowering Asters and Rattlesnake Roots are also present, as are Fan Clubmoss, Spinulose Wood-ferns, and young Beech and Hazelnut trees.

 Post #4. Just ahead on the right is a large Hemlock through which pass two strands of barbed wire; several trees in the vicinity have grown around a barbed wire fence, which used to mark a boundary. Despite these wires through the tree and the holes higher up in its trunk into which squirrels scamper, this Hemlock tree appears to be perfectly healthy.

 Past this Hemlock tree is a muddy area which has been filled in with gravel. To the left of this area may be found the white flowers of Dwarf Ginseng at the end of May and in very early June; just don't walk too far into the wet woods or you will encounter much Poison-ivy! Crossing the normally dry overflow stream in the center of the trail's gravel area, you may notice a few flowerless Jack-in-the-pulpits as well as a few Cinnamon Ferns and Spinulose Wood-ferns to the left. Beyond the gravel you will see a bright field ahead; this is the compost field.

 

The plants which border the compost field differ from those of the forest; those such as Gray Birch and Blackberry (located to the left of the trail exiting the woods) are sun-loving and are among the first plants to grow in an area that has been cleared of forest. The series of stages of forest growth from a clearing to mature forest is called "succession." The plant species characterizing each stage of growth will vary depending on factors including latitude, soil moisture, and elevation, but there are certain species which are more prevalent in earlier stages of succession and others which are found in later stages. For example, White Birch, Gray Birch and Pin Cherry are sun-loving pioneer species of trees characteristic of early stages of succession. Hemlock and Sweet Birch, by contrast, are shade-loving trees which are found in more mature, established forests. Wildflowers found in the field are also sun-loving, differing from those found in the woods. Cinquefoil, Bluets, Hawkweed, Dandelion, and Shepherd's Purse are among the many species found in the field in the spring.

 

 Posts #5 and #6. Staying to the right on the trail, following the edge of the woods, you will find woodland plant species: Bluets, Starflower, Canada Mayflower, Wild Sarsaparilla, Lowbush and Highbush Blueberry, with their bell-like white flowers, and Sheep Laurel. Trees include White Birch, Gray Birch, and Hemlock. White Birch and Gray Birch both have tan bark when young and white bark when older, although the bark of White Birch is more papery and peeling. The easiest

 

way to distinguish between White and Gray Birch is to look at the shape of the leaves: Gray Birch has pointy, triangular leaves, while White Birch leaves are closer to an oval in shape. However, since the Gray Birch has an alternate common name of "White Birch," and White Birch is sometimes called Paper Birch, there can be confusion. This is why scientists use scientific names for these trees (see list).

Continue along the path to the right, entering a woods path and reaching the picnic area on the right just before an intersection with a dirt road.

 Leaving the picnic area, turn left onto the dirt road, which leads to the large composting area.

 

Post #7. On your right will be Post #7, marking a large White Pine with a Virginia Creeper vine growing up it towards the sky. A common evergreen tree in southern New Hampshire, White Pine was once valuable for making ships’ masts. Roads built in to harvest these mighty White Pine trunks were often called "Mast Way." Several roads in this area still bear the name "Mast Road" in reference to their former use. White Pine is still an important tree for timber today, but pine wood is no longer used for masts, instead being put to uses such as framing houses. Although evergreen, the pine tree does shed leaves (needles) in the fall. A healthy tree will keep each set of new needles for at least two years, allowing the tree always to have some living needles. To see the needles closely, cross the road and find a young pine tree. White Pine can be distinguished from other types of pine by counting the needles in a cluster: five needles for five letters in "w-h-i-t-e."

  Post #8. Just ahead the trail forks; take the right fork leading slightly downhill and into the woods. 

Poison-ivy is found along the trail's edge by Post #8, so be sure to stay on the trail here. Take a good look at it so you can recognize it and cautiously avoid it in the future. Disturbed areas, forest edges, and wet areas are prime habitats for this viny plant. Although the colorful 3-parted leaves and white berry-like fruits can be pleasant to look at in the fall, oils in this plant cause an allergic reaction in 70% of the population. This oil is present in all parts of the plant during all seasons, so one can get a rash whether or not the leaves (which are not necessarily shiny) are present. If one contacts Poison-ivy, one should wash the area with soap and cold water, preferably before a half-hour passes. Since several other non-allergy-causing woodland plants also have three leaflets to a stem and resemble Poison-ivy, it is safest not to touch any "3-leafed" plant unless you can positively identify it. Follow the old adage: "Leaves of three, let it be."

 

Post #9. Walk 60 feet down the trail through the mixed forest to find a small Black Cherry tree at Post #9. Young Black Cherry trees have horizontal dashes in their bark; these are lenticels--pores through which gas is exchanged. The leaves of Black Cherry are distinct because of the orange hair along the mid-vein on the underside of each oval leaf.

 

Post #10. Behind the cherry, further off the trail, is a small Basswood tree by Post #10. Less common in New Hampshire, the basswood tree has a relatively large heart-shaped leaf, which is slightly asymmetrical at the base. At the base of the tree is also found the evergreen Trailing Ground-cedar and Alternate-leaved Dogwood. Starflower and Canada Mayflower also bloom here in the spring.

Post #11. A fallen Hemlock tree lies 40 feet ahead by Post #11. Just past this fallen tree, to the left and right, can be seen a green area, lush in appearance as a result of the growth of multitudes of ferns in a wet area. Ahead, slightly downhill, is the stone-crossing of the water passage which connects these wetland areas.

 

Post #12. Here on the left can be found a somewhat sickly-looking Elm tree. This is the largest elm tree in the area, since nearly all American Elm trees have been affected by Dutch Elm Disease, which kills the elms once they reach a certain size. On the live portion of the tree notice the scratchy, sandpaper-like feel of the leaves' upper side, and notice the spongy, cork-like bark.

 

Post #13. On the opposite side of the path, also along the stream, lies an apple tree by Post #13. Christmas ferns thrive on the moist stream bank, and spiny-branched European Barberry shrubs are likely an escape from plantings of former inhabitants of this land. The red fruits are tart, but they make an excellent jelly or juice. Apples can be found underneath the Apple tree in the fall, although competition for light has much reduced its productivity over the years.

 

Post #14. Continuing on, you will soon come across Post #14 on the right, marking a Sugar Maple. This tree species is the source of maple syrup, one gallon of which is made by boiling down 20 or more gallons of sap from these trees. The Sugar Maple has a higher sugar content in its sap than its relative, the Red Maple. In addition, Sugar Maple leaves have smooth, U-shaped notches between leaf lobes or points, while Red Maple has jagged, V-shaped notches between "fingers" on leaves. On the opposite side of the trail are some low Sugar Maples with accessible leaves; however, don't confuse them with the Maple-leafed Viburnum.

Just past this study site on the left is an impressive giant Beech tree with branches spreading over a cleared area on the ground. The Beech tree study site is still ahead, however, slightly downhill once you pass through more hemlock trees.

Post #15. This spot marks a young Beech tree where the leaves can be examined up close. Not far beyond the post, though, are two large Beech trees which offer their bark for examination. It may be surprising to find that even large Beech trees retain smooth, light gray bark (which is why they are a favorite for carving initials--but please don't deface the trees and ruin them for future visitors). The exception to the rule that Beech bark remains smooth is when a tree is infected by Beech Bark Disease, which disfigures the bark before killing the tree. You will pass an example of this shortly. In the fall, look under mature Beech trees for beech nuts, enclosed by a spiny pod, a favorite food of animals. 

Just ahead you'll encounter a fork in the trail. The loop trail branches off to the left; simply follow the white blazes to continue on this trail. Go straight ahead for a few yards, though, not following the white blazes, to visit the seed & bark study area, identified to your left by Post #16.

 Post #16. This area has large specimens of Shagbark Hickory, Beech, and Red Oak. This is a good place to scout for hickory nuts, beech nuts, and acorns, some of which can be found sprouting in the spring. Also, compare the vastly different textures of these trees' barks. Other trees in the area include Hemlock and Basswood. One of the beautiful flowers here is the Foamflower. Fall flowers include Tall Rattlesnake Root, with a green flower, and Jewelweed, with a bright orange flower and bulging ripe seed pods, which burst upon being touched or shaken.

 Back on the trail, the trail continues past a small clearing in the forest canopy; note the prolific growth of brambles and young Black Cherries. Also note the fungus growing on many of the stumps you pass. These organisms are known as decomposers, since they facilitate the return of elements and other nutrients to the soil, where they are once again usable by other plants. Many Christmas Ferns line both sides of the path. Soon you come to an area where runoff is channeled across the path.

 

Post #17. On the right is located a Beaked Hazelnut tree. This small understory tree never will attain the height of canopy trees such as the White Ash behind it. Walk around the Beaked Hazelnut to peer at the bark of the White Ash tree. Can you see the diamond-shaped pattern in the bark?

 

Post #18. To see the compound leaves of the Ash, look across the trail to Post #18, which marks a young White Ash. This side of the trail is a good spot to see spring flowering Trillium and Jack-in-the-pulpit, plants that thrive in moist soil. Ostrich Ferns and fall-flowering Jewelweed are also common.

 As you continue on, you may notice a brightness through the trees to the left, indicating a clearing. There is, indeed, an old clearing there, which is now being overgrown by pioneer tree species, shrubs, and brambles.

 Post #19. One tree which is often found settling a disturbed, open area is the aspen. One species of aspen, the Bigtooth Aspen, can be found ahead to the right at Post #19. Its close relative, the Quaking Aspen, with small, fine-toothed leaves, is not found directly on the trail but can be viewed in the gravel pit.

 

Post #20. Close to the aspen is the Hornbeam tree. This tree’s smooth, bulging bark suggests the appearance and feel of muscles, hence its other name, Musclewood. Feel it for yourself! This tree grows in moist soil and is a low understory tree.

Post #21. Almost adjacent to the Musclewood is a Shagbark Hickory at Post #21. This tree has fascinating and very distinctive bark: it peels off in wide, vertical strips.    Continue walking. The trail soon curves to the left and leads through a fairly open area where you can enjoy the sunshine. Several large stumps can be seen on the left; fungi here are also helping to decompose them.

 You will walk for a bit before reaching the next post.

 Post #22. Witch-hazel is a small understory tree with a unique arching habit, as well as an odd flowering time—fall. Its yellow flowers persist into early winter. The tree then sets fruit in the spring, forming seed pods which explode, sending seeds flying as high as 30 feet! This spot is a bonanza for spring wildflowers: Purple Trillium, Red Baneberry, and Dwarf Ginseng across the trail. Other plants include fall flowering asters, 3-leaved Tick Trefoil, Christmas fern, and Spinulose Wood Ferns across the trail (along with beech nuts in the fall).

Post #23. Once you pass this study site and begin to climb a hill, keep an eye out for Post #23, marking one of the large Hemlocks shading the trail. This graceful evergreen species has short, flattened evergreen needles with two white stripes on the underside. Not a relative of the hemlock plant that poisoned Socrates, this evergreen tree yields a tasty tea chock-full of vitamin-C from its needles. Hemlock needles were also used in making old-fashioned root beer.

 

Post #24. Past the top of the hill, on the left, lies Post #24. A Sweet Birch tree is marked; it is next to a hole in the forest canopy which is quickly being refilled by young trees including Sweet Birch. The Sweet Birch (also called Black Birch) has a dark-colored bark with horizontal lenticels. A distinguishing feature of this tree (although shared with the Yellow Birch, which has yellowish bark) is a wintergreen odor when twigs are scratched with the fingernail.

The trail is nearing the field of compost rows as it reaches a trail intersection in a sometimes muddy depression. Take the left fork. Beyond the stream crossing the trail ascends a small hill, and you emerge into the bright field. Follow the left edge of the field, pausing at the Pin Cherry marked by Post #25.   

 

Post #25. This entire field edge is a haven for wildflowers, including summer and fall-blooming species like Yarrow, Meadowsweet, Goldenrods, and Asters. Among the thorns of blackberry brambles may also be found spring wildflowers like the parasitic One-flowered Cancer Root.

Post #26. The final numbered site is a spot where a Staghorn Sumac Shrub grows. Staghorn Sumac is a tall shrub which invades old fields. Although related to Poison Sumac, Staghorn Sumac grows in dry sites, has red fruits, and is safe to touch; Poison Sumac resides in marshes, has white berry-like fruits, and contains rash-inducing oils. This Staghorn Sumac is an excellent example of a plant with compound leaves; 11 or many more leaflets can be found on a single leaf.

Continue straight ahead on the trail, following the edge of the composting research field, and you will return to the beginning of the Loop Trail and the picnic area.

 

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Deciduous Trees (numbered species are found along trail)

13 Apple Malus spp. 18 Ash (White) Fraxinus americana 19 Aspen, Bigtooth Populus grandidentata Aspen, Quaking Populus tremuloides 10 Basswood Tilia americana 15 Beech (American) Fagus grandifolia 6 Birch, Gray Betula populifolia 24 Birch, Sweet Betula lenta 3 Birch, Yellow Betula alleghaniensis 5 Birch, White Betula papyrifera 9 Cherry, Black Prunus serotina Cherry, Choke Prunus virginiana 25 Cherry, Pin Prunus pensylvanica

12 Elm (American) Ulmus americana 17 Hazelnut (Beaked) Corylus cornuta 21 Hickory, Shagbark Carya ovata Maple, Norway Acer platanoides Maple, Red Acer rubrum 14 Maple, Sugar Acer saccharum 20 Musclewood Carpinus caroliniana 1 Oak, Red (Northern Red) Quercus rubra 2 Oak, White Quercus alba 26 Sumac, Staghorn Rhus typhina Willow Salix spp. 22 Witch-hazel Hamamelis virginiana

 

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Evergreen Trees

23 Hemlock (Eastern) Tsuga candensis

Pine, Pitch Pinus rigida

7 Pine, White (Eastern White) Pinus strobus

Redcedar (Eastern) Juniperus virginiana

Spruce (Colorado Blue) Picea pungens

Spruce Picea sp.

 

Spring Wildflowers:

Anemone, Wood Anemone quinquefolia

Baneberry, Red Actaea rubra

Baneberry, White Actaea pachypoda

Blackberry and Raspberry Rubus spp.

Blue-eyed Grass Sisyrinchium montanum

Bluets Houstonia caerulea

Bunchberry Cornus canadensis

Buttercup, Bulbous Ranunculus bulbosus

Cancer Root, One-flowered Orobanche uniflora

Celandine Chelidonium majus

Chickweed, Mouse-ear Cerastrum vulgatum

Cinquefoil, Common Potentilla simplex

Clintonia or Corn Lily Clintonia borealis

Dame's Rocket Hesperis matronalis

Dandelion, Common Taraxacum officinale

False Solomon Seal Smilacina racemosa

Foamflower Tiarella cordifolia

Geranium, Wild Geranium maculatum

Gill-over-the-ground Glechoma hederacea

Ginseng, Dwarf Panax trifolium

Hawkweed (Yellow King-devil) Hieracium caespitosum

Indian Cucumber Root Medeola virginiana

Iris (Northern Blue Flag) Iris versicolor

Jack-in-the-pulpit Arisaema triphyllum

Lady's Slipper, Pink Cypripedium acaule

Lychnis, Evening Lychnis alba

Mayflower, Canada Maianthemum canadense

Pussytoes, Field Antennaria neglecta

Sarsaparilla, Wild Aralia nudicaulis

Saxifrage, Swamp Saxifraga pensylvanica

Shepherd's Purse Capsella bursa-pastoris

Skunk-cabbage Symplocarpus foetidus

Speedwell, Common Veronica officinalis

Starflower Trientalis borealis

Strawberry, Wild Fragaria virginiana

Trillium, Red Trillium erectum

Vetch, Bird- Vicia cracca

Violet Viola spp.

Yellow-rocket Barbarea vulgaris

 

Showy Spring-Flowering Shrubs

and Trees:

Apple Malus Sylvestris

Barberry, European Berberis vulgaris

Blueberry, Lowbush Vaccinium angustifolium

Blueberry, Highbush Vaccinium corymbosum

Buckthorn, European Rhamnus frangula

Cherry, Black Prunus serotina

Cherry, Choke Prunus virginiana

Cherry, Pin Prunus pensylvanica

Cranberrybush Viburnum or Viburnum opulus

Guelder-rose

Honeysuckle Lonicera spp.

 

 

 

Common Fall Berries

Baneberry, Red Actaea rubra

Baneberry, White Actaea pachypoda

Barberry Berberis vulgaris

Canada Mayflower Maianthemum candense

Partridgeberry Mitchella repens

Pokeweed Phytolacca americana

Sarsaparilla, Bristly Aralia hispida

Sarsaparilla, Wild Aralia nudicaulis

 

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Fall Wildflowers at Kingman Farm

 

Aster, Bushy Aster dumosus

Aster, Flat-topped Aster umbellatus

Aster, Red-stalk Aster puniceus

Aster, White Wood Aster divaricatus

Aster, Willow Aster salicifolius

Evening Primrose, Common Oenothera biennis

Goldenrod Solidago spp.

Hop clover Trifolium aureum

Indian Tobacco Lobelia inflata

Rattlesnake Root, Tall/ Gall-of-the-Earth Prenanthes trifoliata

Snapdragon, Dwarf Chaenorrhinum minus

Wood Sorrel, Yellow Oxalis stricta

 

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Common Ferns & Clubmosses

Along the Trail:

 

 

Ferns:

Cinnamon Fern Osmunda cinnamomea

Christmas Fern Polystichum acrosticoides

Royal fern Osmunda regalis

Sensitive Fern Onoclea Sensibilis

Wood-fern, Evergreen Dryopteris intermedia

 

 

Clubmosses:

Fan Clubmoss Lycopodium digitatum

Ground-pine, Princess-pine Lycopodium obscurum

 

 

Horsetails:

Field Horsetail Equisetum arvense

 

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Complete Species Listing

 

COMMON NAME / SCIENTIFIC NAME

American Basswood Tilia americana

American Beech Fagus grandifolia

American Elm Ulmus americana

Apple Malus sylvestris

Bead Lily, Clintonia, Corn Lily Clintonia borealis

Beaked Hazelnut Corylus cornuta

Beechdrops (parasitic) Epifagus virginiana

Bigtooth Aspen Populus grandidentata

Bird-vetch Vicia cracca

Black Cherry Prunus serotina

Blue Cohosh Caulophyllum thalictroides

Blue-eyed Grass Sisyrinchium montanum

Bluets Houstonia caerulea

Bramble, Blackberry, Raspberry Rubus spp.

Bristly Aster Aster puniceus

Bristly Sarsaparilla Aralia hispida

Bulbous Buttercup Ranunculus bulbosus

Bunchberry Cornus canadensis

Butter-and-eggs, Toadflax Linaria vulgaris

Canada Mayflower Maianthemum canadense

Celandine Chelidonium majus

Choke Cherry Prunus virginiana

Christmas Fern Polystichum acrosticoides

Cinnamon Fern Osmunda cinnamomea

Colorado Blue Spruce Picea pungens

Common Cat-tail Typha latifolia

Common Cinquefoil Potentilla simplex

Common Dandelion Taraxacum officinale

Common Evening Primrose Oenothera biennis

Common Juniper Juniperus communis

Common Poison-ivy Toxicodendron radicans

Common Ragweed Ambrosia artemisiifolia

Common Speedwell Veronica officinalis

Common White Heart-leaved Aster Aster divaricatus

Common Yellow Wood-sorrel Oxalis stricta

Cranberrybush Viburnum Viburnum opulus

Dame's Rocket Hesperis matronalis

Dwarf Ginseng Panax trifolium

Eastern Hemlock Tsuga canadensis

Eastern Redcedar Juniperus virginiana

Eastern White Pine Pinus strobus

European Alder-buckthorn Rhamnus frangula

European Barberry Berberis vulgaris

Evening Lychnis Lychnis alba

False Solomon's Seal Smilacina racemosa

Fan Clubmoss Lycopodium digitatum

Field Horsetail Equisetum arvense

Field Pussytoes Antennaria neglecta

Flat-topped White Aster Aster umbellatus

Flowering Maple Viburnum acerifolium

Foamflower Tiarella cordifolia

Fragrant Bedstraw Geranium maculatum

Gall-of-the-earth Prenanthes trifoliata

Gill-over-the-ground Glechoma hederacea

Goldenrod Solidago spp.

Goldthread Coptis trifolia

Gooseberry Ribes spp.

Grape Vitus spp.

Gray Birch Betula populifolia

Ground-pine, Princess-pine Lycopodium obscurum

Hardhack, Steeplebush Spiraea tomentosa

Highbush Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum

Hobble-bush Viburnum alnifolium

Honeysuckle Lonicera spp.

Indian Cucumber-root Medeola virginiana

Indian Tobacco Lobelia inflata

Jack-in-the-pulpit Arisaema triphyllum

Lesser Toad Flax Chaenorrhinum minus

Long-stalked Aster Aster dumosus

Lowbush Blueberry Vaccinium angustifolium

Meadowsweet Spiraea alba

Mouse-ear Chickweed Cerastrum vulgatum

Multiflora-rose Rosa multiflora

Musclewood Carpinus caroliniana

Nightshade, Bittersweet Solanum dulcamara

Northern Arrowwood Viburnum dentatum

Northern Blue Flag Iris versicolor

Northern Red Oak Quercus rubra

Norway Maple Acer platanoides

One-flowered Cancer-root Orobanche uniflora

Orange Touch-me-not, Jewel-weed Impatiens capensis

Ox-eye Daisy Chrysanthemum leucanthemum

Palmate Hop-clover Trifolium aureum

Paper Birch Betula papyrifera

Partridgeberry Mitchella repens

Pin Cherry Prunus pensylvanica

Pink Lady's Slipper Cypripedium acaule

Pitch Pine Pinus rigida

Pokeweed Phytolacca americana

Purple or Red Trillium Trillium erectum

Quaking Aspen Populus tremuloides

Red Baneberry Actaea rubra

Red Clover Trifolium pratense

Red Maple Acer rubrum

Red-osier Dogwood Cornus stolonifera

Royal Fern Osmunda regalis

Sensitive Fern Onoclea sensibilis

Shagbark Hickory Carya ovata

Sheep Laurel Kalmia angustifolia

Shepherd's Purse Capsella bursa-pastoris

Skunk-cabbage Symplocarpus foetidus

Smooth Alder Alnus serrulata

Spinulose Wood-fern Dryopteris carthusiana

Spruce Picea sp.

Staghorn Sumac Rhus typhina

Starflower Trientalis borealis

Sugar Maple Acer saccharum

Swamp Saxifrage Saxifraga pensylvanica

Sweet Birch Betula lenta

Tall Rattlesnake-root Prenanthes trifoliata

Tick-trefoil Desmodium spp.

Veiny Lined Aster Aster praealtus

Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia

White Ash Fraxinus americana

White Baneberry Actaea pachypoda

White Oak Quercus alba

White Wood Aster Aster divaricatus

Whitlow-grass Draba verna

Wild Sarsaparilla Aralia nudicaulis

Wild Strawberry Fragaria virginiana

Willow Salix spp.

Witch-hazel Hamamelis virginiana

Wood Anemone Anemone quinquefolia

Wood-fern, Evergreen Dryopteris intermedia

Yarrow Achillea millefolium

Yellow Birch Betula alleghaniensis

Yellow King-devil (hawkweed) Hieracium caespitosum

Yellow-rocket Barbarea vulgaris

 

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