Google Maps pin: https://maps.app.goo.gl/yq4T2qTquDw2Ub2u9
My new phenology place was in the woods behind my house in Massachusetts. This is an area I spent a lot of time in as a kid, and it’s right next to one of my favorite trees which I now know is a White Oak. I think it’s really cool how the woods behind my house fostered my love of the environment and inspired me to study them in college, and now I’m back in these woods putting my college knowledge to use.
There were a lot more oak trees, mainly White Oak instead the the coniferous Eastern Hemlock that dominate my phenology spot in Burlington. The spot behind my house is definitely less remote than my Burlington site as I can see my house as well as my neighbors, and hear leaf blowers and kids running around. I still find this spot really peaceful though, and am really lucky to have such beautiful woods right behind my house. Most of the tree branches were bare, but some of the White Oak still have crinkly brown leaves hanging on which wasn’t the case in my Burlington spot where only the American Beech and Sugar Maple had some vegetation hanging on. The spot behind my house was definitely flatter and more condensed with trees unlike my phenology spot, which is a clearing type area on a slope.
Looking into the weather preferences of oak trees, I found out they prefer a more moderate climate. It makes sense then that there are more of them in the more southern state of Massachusetts than northern Vermont, at least looking at my two phenology spots. I also know that Eastern Hemlock prefer shadier sites as they have a very high shade tolerance, and I wouldn’t say the woods in my yard are that shady leading to there not being a lot of this species in these woods. I also know that Hemlock prefer more cooler temperatures, so places in Vermont like my Burlington phenology spot are likely more hospitable for them.