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​1. What succession stage is the forest area at WCP experiencing now?

Probably the final, climax stage.

2. What could hinder the forest’s development?

Anything that would alter the landscape, such as urban development of the park property, hurricane or fire damage, significant changes to the climate of the area, changes to predator and prey relationships here.

3. To what degree is the Windsor Castle Park ecosystem allowed to go through succession?

To the degree that humans do not interrupt its normal cycle through cutting, use of chemicals, interrupting its nutrient flow, and depositing of waste substances.  These are some of the factors that will influence how it will be able to continue to live its normal forest life.

4. What do you consider to be the greatest challenge to the normal progression of this park’s ecosystem? 

Possible changes in how the park is managed, potential lack of funding to maintain the park, the park land could be sold for development, a devastating storm that caused damage.

​5. What are some factors that have an important effect on tree growth?

Season and climate have important effects on tree growth. Many factors such as length of growing season,  length of day,  early and late frost dates, season, duration, intensity, and amount of rainfall, and prevailing wind direction and velocity have major influences on the establishment and growth of quality hardwoods. Quality hardwoods require long rotations under relatively stable conditions.

​6. Some of the hardwood trees found at WCP are oak, hickory, beech, maple, and black walnut.  Can you name other hardwood trees that may not be found in WCP?

Douglas fir, juniper, redwood, and spruce trees are all softwood trees.  They are not found in WCP because they grow best in their native environments.  Blue Spruce and Douglas Fir are native to the Rocky Mountains.  Junipers are native to the Pacific Northwest, and redwoods are native to portions of Northern California where they receive moisture from the fog in summer. 

​7. The most common softwood trees found at WCP are pine and cedar.  Can you name other softwood trees that may not be found in WCP and why they are not found in the park?

Douglas fir, juniper, redwood, and spruce trees are all softwood trees.  They are not found in WCP because they grow best in their native environments.  Blue Spruce and Douglas Fir are native to the Rocky Mountains.  Junipers are native to the Pacific Northwest, and redwoods are native to portions of Northern California where they receive moisture from the fog in summer. 

​8. What are the natural means by which all trees are reproduced?

Seeds, sprouts, root suckers of trees on or formerly occupying the land.

​9. What are the artificial means by which all trees are reproduced?

Artificial regeneration is synonymous with the term reforestation. Two methods of reforestation are direct seeding and planting.

​10. Which natural methods of reforestation most likely have occurred in WCP?

• Most species of hardwoods combine both seed and vegetative regeneration for reproducing. Most pines reproduce principally from seeds. 
• Hardwoods such as oak, maple, and yellow poplar commonly sprout from the stump after being cut or burned. These sprouts often form clumps.
• Beech, Sweet Gum, and Black Locust commonly sprout along the roots (suckering). 
• Lightweight seeds, like those from Loblolly Pine, are most likely dispersed by wind. 
• Heavier seeds, like oak acorns and black walnuts are often dispersed by gravity, birds, and animals.