A UVM blog NR001 Phenology Project-Centennial Woods

INTRO TO CENTENNIAL WOODS

Located within the city limits of Burlington, these woods contain over 65 acres of hardwood, conifer, and evergreen trees. Habitats also include streams, wetlands, and field areas. Due to its diversity in species, it serves as an important place for education on Vermont’s biodiversity and cultural history. Many classes at the University rely on these woods for labs and research projects, as well as is enjoyed by the local community for outdoor recreation. It it managed and maintained by the University, and therefore characterized as one of UVM’s 10 natural areas. The East entrance to the woods is located directly off of East Avenue, behind the UVM police station.

Centennial Woods provides a direct insight to the unique history of Vermont’s lands. In the 1800s, these woods were completely clear cut and used for sheep and dairy farming. Stone walls and barbed wire left behind give insight to this farming history. The forrest is a young forrest, due to the clearing, yet offers diversity in vegetation.

This vegetation is heavily dependent on location in the woods. The open fields are full with grasses, milkweed, and non-woody plants. The marsh area consist of grasses, horsetails, and cattails. The more woody areas consists of different sections of hardwoods that are growing together. There were many hemlock forests which consist of eastern white hemlocks, paper and white birch, and green ash. Eastern white pine are also very prevalent, as well as red and white oaks. Norway, sugar, and red maples also grow in these forests.

Citations:

Natural Areas, University of Vermont: a resolution of the Board of Trustees [PDF].University of Vermont Natural Areas. University of Vermont Environmental Program, http://www.uvm.edu/~uvmsc/Centennial%20Woods/UVM_Natural_Areas_1974001.pdf

Centennial Woods Natural Area: Home. (n.d.). Retrieved October 12, 2020, from https://researchguides.uvm.edu/centennialwoods