Introduction to place: To get to my phenology location, you first enter Centennial Woods at the normal entrance. You walk along the path, and at the clearing you take the path moving towards the left (not the one going right that goes up a steep hill). You move down a small hill for only a few steps, and then pass a small clearing on the right, this is my phenology location! I chose this spot because I like how you can stand in the clearing and just be surrounded by all the trees. I was also drawn to the ferns on the ground because these are plants my mom loves. I came to this spot during the first NR1010 lab for the self-exploration component, and when the phenology project was announced I immediately knew it would be the perfect place to study for the rest of the year.
Description of Vegetation: There’s only a small amount of specific vegetation species in the area, but they’re abundant in total numbers. On the left side, there is a lot of young Eastern hemlock. On the right side there are young Sugar Maple and American Beech. The maple and beech are very short with thin trunks and branches. Their leaves are yellowing from a contribution of sun exposure and annual fall foliage. In all though, there isn’t a ton of foliage in this area due to the presence of lots of coniferous trees that keep their needles all year long. At the front of the clearing, I found a small and very young looking barberry shrub. The forest floor is covered with brown Eastern White Pine and Eastern Hemlock needles along with fallen American Beech and Red Oak leaves. There are also groups of Christmas Ferns and Intermediate Wood Ferns.
Most Common Woody Plant Species:
- Eastern Hemlock https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/247348821
- American Beech https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/247348687
- Barberry https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/247348874
- Sugar Maple https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/247348772
