Cam's Phenology

Throughout my visits, the northern red oak tree in my Phenology spot has undergone significant changes. The most noticeable change is the transition from bare branches in the winter to growth of new leaves. Another change being the bark being smoother in the winter and slowly becoming rougher over this time.

As I’ve visited this site over time, I’ve become familiar with both the phenological and human-caused changes. In addition to the growth of new leaves in the spring, I’ve also observed the tree having no leaves in the winter and slowly gaining its canopy back over time. There have also been some minor landmarks that I’ve become familiar with, such as a few notable rocks that are often visited by squirrels.

The intertwining of nature and culture in this area is significant. The tree is located within a forested area that is home to many different species of plants and animals, each playing a unique role in the ecosystem. Additionally, the surrounding area is frequented by hammockers and outdoor enthusiasts, who often use the trees.

As someone who has visited this site multiple times, I do consider myself a part of this place. Each visit allows me to better understand the rhythms and changes of the natural world and to appreciate the beauty of the environment.

Upon returning to the northern red oak I was struck by how much the environment had changed. The forest was still waking up from its winter however the tree was still showing signs of growth and adaptation and had grown many more leaves. The new leaves were smaller and lighter in color and are definitely still developing.

As I examined the trunk and branches of the tree, I could see that the bark was even rougher and less furrowed than before. It is clear the tree was still developing new secondary growth, there were a lot more buds sprouting from the branches and the trunk. Surrounding the tree, new wildflowers have bloomed all around.

I recently revisited the northern red oak that I had chosen during the winter, and the changes that had occurred were pretty significant. As I approached the tree, I noticed that the snow had mainly melted away, and the ground was soft and muddy. The tree, which looked very lifeless in the winter, was now much brighter and lively.

The first thing that caught my eye were the buds that were sprouting from the branches. I also started seeing more green coming from the leaves of the trees, the leaves were coming back to life.

I also noticed that the bark had taken on a more vibrant hue. The more grayish exterior had given way to a deeper, reddish-brown color.

The tree I chose to observe and identify was the Northern Red Oak.

To distinguish between a Northern Red Oak and one of its winter lookalikes(Cottonwood), I first observed the leaves. The leaves of a Northern Red Oak have pointed lobes that curve inward, while cottonwood leaves have more rounded lobes. Additionally, their leaves have a glossy surface, while cottonwood leaves have a duller surface with a slight fuzz.

Next, I looked at the bark of the tree. The bark of a red oak is rough and has deep furrows, while the bark of a cottonwood is smoother and has a lighter color.

Finally, I observed the overall shape of the tree. Northern red oaks have a more conical shape, with a narrower trunk and branches that grow upward. Cottonwoods, on the other hand, have a more rounded shape with a broader trunk and branches that grow outwards.

By carefully analyzing these characteristics, I was able to confidently identify the tree as a northern red oak.

I recently went to explore centennial woods with my friends and had an exciting experience observing winter wildlife signs using iNaturalist.

We encountered various winter wildlife signs such as tracks, scat, den sites, and browse. We also saw a few squirrels, birds, and a couple of deer during our walk. Recording observations using the iNaturalist app was a great experience. It was easy to use, and we could easily record our sightings with just a few clicks.

We saw tracks of various sizes and shapes on the snow, and it was not always easy to identify the species that made them. However, we used the information on iNaturalist to narrow down our identification by comparing the tracks we saw with the photos and descriptions of the tracks of different animals available on the app. For example, we saw tracks of a medium-sized carnivore and were trying to decide between a coyote and a red fox. We compared the size, shape, and arrangement of the tracks with the photos and descriptions on iNaturalist and decided that they were more likely to be coyote tracks because they were larger and had a more elongated shape.

Overall, it was a great experience observing winter wildlife signs using iNaturalist, and we were able to contribute to the Wildlife Sign in Burlington project by recording our observations.

To get to my phenelogy spot you need to walk down the athletic/redstone path and walk into the redstone woods behind the fence, there is a small cleared out section which is my phenology spot

My backyard woods area in Virginia was the location I chose as a phenology spot over break. Growing up, I spent a lot of time in the woods behind my house, which is a comfortable spot for me.

What makes my spot back home unique is the diversity of wildlife, as well as the fascinating natural and man-made features it has. The tree composition of my forest comprises primarily large mature white oaks. However, to my surprise, there are also paper birch and sugar maples. Bamboo is also abundant in my spot; I do not know how it got there, nor do my parents, but there is a large bamboo forest present. This makes my site unique because it’s the only place in my neighborhood with bamboo. It also has a stream running right beneath it. Although the bamboo looks very cool, I looked into the impact of bamboo on the environment, and it turns out bamboo reduces biodiversity and makes the soil more acidic. I plan on bringing this up with my parents to have a healthier forest! Compared to the phenology of my Vermont location, there are many similarities, such as white oak, red and sugar maple, and grey squirrels. The main difference I found was that my Virginia location contains no evergreen trees, while my Vermont location has many.

When I came to see my phenology spot I was very surprised to see how the different the spot was before I left. When I first saw the foliage I was shocked to see how open the canopy was in my phenology spot. I was under the impression that a majority of my spot contained evergreen trees such as Eastern White Pines, Northern White Hemlock and Norway Spruce, but I was mistaken since there were many more deciduous dead leaves on my spot than on evergreen’s floor. On my exploration, I happened to find some animal tracks as well. I attempted to ID them as coyotes; however, I was never 100% sure. Although I found animal evidence, I can confidently say that the presence of the animals I saw in the spring, mainly squirrels, has decreased.

Reflecting on my phenology spot this semester, the aspect I enjoyed the most was the rustling of the leaves and the feeling of the wind hitting my face. I found myself getting lost in the moment, simply enjoying the sensation of the wind on my face and the sound of the leaves rustling around me. It was a welcome reprieve from the stress of everyday life. It was a truly wonderful experience and one that I will always cherish.

Changes in my Spot:

Checking in on my spot today led me to notice the high population of evergreen trees in my area. While the weather was colder, and my area’s bed contained more deciduous tree leaves, which I found were from the nearby Red and White oaks, My sitting spot remained relativity the same. I noticed that the area’s shrubbery was receding, and It looked like my site had lost a few plants. Another thing I noticed about my Pine trees, however, is that they were shedding significantly more amount of needles than they were on the warmer days. Upon further research, I learned that evergreens shed more needles in the fall than at other times of the year.

My 15 Minutes:

On Saturday someone I knew decided to take their own life. I spent time with Patty at the start of semester, jumping off of Rock Point and hanging out at North Beach. Although I did not get to know Patty as personally as some of my other friends, hearing the news affected us deeply. The last time I saw him was October 22nd when a group of us went and climbed the Eastern White Pines. I went down to my spot on Monday and could not think about anything besides what happened. The takeaways I got from the time I was at my spot: Constantly check in with your friends and always be open about how you are feeling.

The Eastern Pine section of Centennial Park is a quiet and calming section of the Centennial trail. To reach my spot, follow the start of the trail past the bridge over the stream, continue up to the pine section and continue about 10 yards straight into the trees. This spot is full of evergreens and has a soothing and calming pine smell to it. It is a fantastic place to journal, do your homework, or just relax.

This image a direct upwards view of my phenology spot. My spot has a fantastic ratio of overstory coverage to open sky. When I visited my spot for the first time, the sun was beginning to set and it made for a fantastic view. The majority of the trees in my section are Eastern White Pine, Eastern Hemlock, Northern White Cedar, and some Oak Species.