My home phenology spot is located in the woods behind my old elementary school. The overstory consists almost entirely of Eastern White Pine. Looking back at pictures now I notice that there are a couple deciduous trees sprinkled throughout the overstory as well, but in the moment I was so focused on the pines (they’re my favorite) that I guess I didn’t even notice. The entire understory is littered with old, fallen needles, but there isn’t any underbrush because this particular area has been cleared for some benches and the shell of what used to be a blackboard. We always called it the outdoor classroom. The fact that the understory has been cleared is a major difference between my phenology spots. A major similarity that these locations share is that both are near a water source that can be utilized by local plant and animal communities, Minister’s Pond being the water source in Eastham and Centennial Brook being the water source in Burlington. I would also estimate that the pines at home are about as tall as the Sugar Maples and Red Oaks in my spot in Burlington. It was definitely warmer at this time of year at my spot here on Cape Cod than it was up in Burlington though! I’m sure the trees at my phenology spot in Centennial have some snow on them by now, but we haven’t gotten enough snow on the Cape yet for that to be the case here. Also, both are located in natural areas into which walking trails have been implemented. Centennial Woods is definitely a lot more massive than this little patch of woods in Eastham though. Another pretty major difference that isn’t necessarily ecological but that I think is important is that I love my spot at home with all my heart and soul, but am still getting to know my phenology spot up in Burlington. I hope that as I form a deeper connection with it, it starts to bring me the same sense of peace and feeling of home as my spot in the woods on the Cape. :)
