Hello and welcome to my phenology blog!
I have chosen to study and explore an area along the Winooski river walk located approximately 0.7 miles up the river from Salmon Hole. My spot is a shaded clearing above the river. There is a natural archway created by two boxelders. In the middle of the clearing there is a large sugar maple shading the area. To the right of the clearing there is a wall of Japanese knot-wood about 4.5 feet tall stretching to the hill. To the left of the tree there is some grass and then a steep drop off to a thin bank and then the river. Jutting out of the bank is a fallen boxelder and large pile of wood in the water.
I chose this spot because I thought the bending boxelders made it look quite magical. The trees are large with many patches of interesting moss and mushrooms. The height gives a good vantage point of the river. The Japanese knotweed provides a natural wall to the space almost creating a room between the river and the knotweed.
The woody species and plants:
Sugar Maple
Boxelders
Golden rods
Panicled Asters
American Beech
Japanese knotweed
Ostrich Ferns
How to get there:
If you are starting from Salmon Hole, follow the trail 0.6 miles up the river.
From the Intervale, follow the trail about 0.6 miles down the river.
If you are starting on Waterman Green, Facing the Waterman Building, take North Prospect Street north approx. 0.6 miles until you reach Route 2. Then cross the intersection to Intervale road. Approximately 500 ft down the road on the left is a trail head. Follow the down the stairs and cross the bridge. Continue along the river until you reach a fork in the trail. Take the left and YOU HAVE ARRIVED!!! You will know you are there when cross under an arched tree (a boxelder to be exact) and reach a shaded clearing covered in grasses. Around and above you will be beautiful arching trees!
