Over ‘spring’ break I spent some time playing in the thigh-deep snow with my dogs and, of course, comparing the environment to my phenological site in Burlington. This space is primarily composed of edge habitat since the forest runs along the remnants of a hay field. Between the mature trees and the field is a stone wall, demonstrating the history of the agricultural use of the landscape.
The trees growing along the stone wall are primarily sugar maples and may be the remnants of a former maple stand (on the other side of the field a maple stand is still in use by our neighbors).
Deeper into the forest there are also hemlock and ash trees.
Among the trees, there are many deer tracks, beds, and scat. The local herd has been using this area extensively for wind protection and proximity to food.
In comparison, my Burlington phenology site is primarily composed of Eastern white pine, hemlock, and some maples (sugar and red). It also has little to no snowpack left, due to high temperatures and rain. Although both have deer populations, Burlington has a greater population of people and more foot traffic.