Transcript 6whimsey

6. From Forest to Field and Back Again
When a field is abandoned, the succession
process begins. This process of growth and
change occurs in three steps, which are seen as
layers in the landscape. First, small plants grow
in, followed by bushes and small trees, then
larger trees afterward. When the process is
finished what was once a field is now a forest.
Staghorn Sumac is a woody tree that
grows during the second stage of
succession. Contrary to common
beliefs, all sumac is not poisonous.
Poison Sumac can be distinguished
from Staghorn Sumac because it has
smooth, not fuzzy leaves.
Whimsey Meadow is an
excellent example of
succession. Everywhere
one looks, there are three
visible layers of plants.
In most of Whimsey
Meadow the first layer
consists of grasses,
milkweed and goldenrod.
The second is of sumac
and honeysuckle and the
third is made up of pines,
birches an sugar maples.
Whimsey Meadow is well
on its way to becoming a
forest.
White Pine trees grow during the
third part of the succession
process. The pines can live for
50-100 years before they are
replaced by beech, birch and sugar
maple trees.
Milkweed grows with the first phase of
succession. Milkweed is toxic, and is the
primary food source of Monarch butterflies. By
feeding on the milkweed they become toxic and
are protected from predators.