Google Maps Location
What is the Significance?
“Julia’s Woods” is a small forested area next to my friend’s house where there is an unmarked trail by a stream that my hometown friends and I often walk on in the summer. We used to use it often before we could drive as a shortcut between neighborhoods.
The Phenology of This Spot
These woods are mainly made up of American Beech, Striped Maple and Red Oak trees. Most of the area around it has been cleared and is residential. Most of the undergrowth has died but there were remnants of some ferns by the water. There was also Japanese pachysandra near the entrance which is an invasive species. There was also some Boxed Leaved holly. Furthermore, there are many downed trees that are decaying on and along the trail since it is not maintained.
Comparison to Centennial Woods
The phenology of these woods in comparison to Centennial Woods is very different. Centennial is much larger and has a wider variety of plant and tree species. In Centennial there are White Pines, Box Elder and Red Oak trees which are not in this new spot. Also, there isn’t any honeysuckle, golden rod, or poison ivy in this forest like there is in Centennial. There is also a much more limited amount of space in my spot in New Providence because of the streets that back up to it and the houses in the surrounding areas. In Centennial there is a large amount of land that fosters the diverse environment there. In the spring, these woods are much more filled in and there are more ferns and small plants on the banks of the river. This is similar to Centennial Woods which also fills in in the spring and summer. In Centennial right now some trees are still changing color but most of the leaves have fallen and it will be covered by snow soon. In New Providence, all the trees are bare and have been for weeks already. I look forward to coming back and comparing these two spots again in the spring.
