I brought my camera out to the woods with me and took several photos!
Just some acorns.
Someone has been eating the acorns, and it hasn’t been me….
The ski ridges of a young red maple.
I wonder who lives in there?
And finally, an unidentified herbaceous plant! I would like to figure out what species it is….
Just walking into the woods, I can already feel and see the changes that fall is bringing to Centennial Woods compared to my last visit in early September. Leaves fall and crunch beneath my feet and are a plethora of beautiful colors. The air is crisper, and with the rustle of the wind acorns threaten to knock me in the head as they fall to the ground.
That being said, these are just some general observations I made about my place as I went there for the first time and acquainted myself with my spot. There is not a ton of vegetation or organic matter in my place; it is mostly leaf litter and pine needles. There are a few ferns scattered about, as well as some herbaceous plants I was unable to identify. I was able to identify a few poison ivy plants however, and will make sure to keep my distance from them! I did a quick test on the soil texture, and it was very sandy, with a little bit of loam. If I had to guess, the soil’s pH would fall on the acidic side due to the presence of the pine needles.
I was happily able to identify almost all of the trees that exist within my place. The list goes as follows: a LOT of black cherry, red maple, Norway maple, sugar maple, eastern white pine, american elm, and an american beech.
Hey first post! Cool! Well in this post I will detail how to get to my phenological spot, which is located within the depths of Centennial Woods. Centennial Woods is a small natural area just off the university’s campus. I chose it because it is very easy and close by to get to and offers a glimpse of woods that I find very calming and peaceful.
Directions: Go onto Main St. in Burlington VT and head towards the interstate, but before arriving there make a left turn onto East Ave. Once on East Ave, Carrigan Dr. should approach rather quickly, and make a right turn. Go past UVM police services and there will be a sign for Centennial Woods Natural area on the left side. Follow the trail into the natural area and past Centennial Brook until you reach an open area where the trail splits off in several directions. Bear right and continue up a very steep hill. Keep following it when it levels out. Go around a large fallen tree and just after that on the right hand side is my place! Overall, it should take about 15 minutes biking/walking or 20 ish walking. Once you reach Centennial Woods it is about a 10 minute walk to reach my place!
Featured below is a Google map link to my place, so feel free to check it out!
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zvBO9wRBlwpQ.kk33nMAYaXFw
