Diario de maxbg621

The preserve was much nicer than I expected. There was some interesting ecosystems in the area. Surrounding the ponds were small fragments of sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) and pin oak (Quercus pulastris) with great laurel (Rhododendron maximum) and northern spicebush (Lindera benzoin). The ponds also had many painted turtles (Chrysemys picta), and I suspect that the areas support wood ducks (Aix sponsa) and a variety of amphibians. It was refreshing to not see red-eared sliders.

The upland forests of the flatter sections of the preserve (on the Manhasset Plateau, I believe) hardwood forests composed of impressive sugar maples (Acer saccharum) and tuliptrees (Liriodendron tulipifera) were present. The Pinetum had many ornamental species planted, but among them were impressive stands of eastern hemlocks (Tsuga canadensis) and northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis). The hemlock seemed unaffected by the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae).

On the west facing bluffs of Hempstead Harbor, ecosystem was similar to those of other tunnel-valley bays on the North Shore of Long Island, such as Cold Spring Harbor State Park and Trail View State Park. The soil here seemed to be slightly better and less acidic based on plant community, but members of the ericaceae were still present. Mountain laurels were not uncommon in the area (Kalmia latifolia). Dominant trees of this area were American beech (Fagus grandifolia) and red oaks (Quercus sect. Lobatae), with frequent black birch (Betula lenta) and sugar maple. On one southern facing bluff face, trout lilies were in full bloom (Erithronium americanum) and were intermixed with Jacob's needle/ common yucca (Yucca filamentosa). This was a surprising cohabitation, as I associate trout lilies with more mesic areas, and yucca with more xeric areas.

Who knew you could so this! What an awesome feature!

At Trail View State park in Cold Spring Harbor, the acidic sloping woodlands are filled with members of the ericaceae. Interesting forest type made predominantly of sweet birch (Betula lenta), white oak (Quercus alba), and white pine (Pinus stobus). Mixed in were stands of tulip trees (Liriodendron tulipifera), chestnut oaks (Quercus montana), American beech (Fagus grandifolia), and sugar maple (Acer saccharum). Many areas had a developed understory of the ericaceae, including mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), great laurel (Rhododendron maximum), an unknown blueberry/bearberry/huckleberry species (Vaccinium spp. maybe), and a special treat near the end of the trail where it crosses the road, trailing arbutus (Epigaea repens). Scattered throughout the areas where hardwoods were dominant over the pines and spruces, American hornbeam stood here and there (Carpinus croliniana). In the areas where the conifers were dominant, the forest floor was covered in mosses and lichen. I am by no means an expert in this region, but I believe I observed delicate fern moss, crustose lichens, and pincushion mosses.

There were few invasive species in this healthy forest. I saw one multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora), periwinkle (Vinca major), and a few tree-of-heavens near the top of a ridge on the property line (Ailanthus altissima). Overall, I was very impressed with the health and beauty of this forest. It is defiantly a place to visit in a few months when all of the rhododendrons and laurels are blooming. Maybe I will even catch the arbutus blooming. It was just about making flower buds when I observed it.