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1. Why do you think the trees have grown to be so big in this woodlot, as opposed to some other areas of the forest here in the park?

It was most likely set aside to be used for a specific purpose up through the 1800s and not harvested since then.  Therefore, the trees have been left to grow to their full maturity.

2. How big around is the big white oak tree and where is the proper location on a tree to measure the circumference?

The tree is 15’-2”feet (182 inches) in circumference.  Tree circumference is measured 4.5’ above the ground on the uphill side of a tree.

3. How can you determine the diameter of a tree?

First find the tree's circumference with a measuring tape. Then, all you need to do to calculate the diameter is divide the circumference by pi (3.1416).  So, the diameter of this large old white oak tree is about 58 inches, or 4.8 feet.

4. Exactly how old is the white oak tree?

Experts estimate it is older than 300 years old. The only way to tell for sure is to core the tree. This old white oak has a rotten center that renders that type of measurement unreliable.  ​

5. Do you know how to identify a white oak tree?

White oaks can reach very large diameters.  White oak trees have bark that is off-whitish to ashy gray in color. It can be very scaly and plate like. Older trees often have patches of nearly smooth bark. The leaves of the white oak are deeply lobed and the tips of the lobes will all be rounded. In fall, the leaves of an entire tree will be a scarlet or purple.  White Oak acorns are about 3/4 in. long.​

6. The large pine tree is 9’-9” feet in circumference and is perhaps the largest pine tree in WCP. This pine tree is infected with red heart fungus which infects many pines over 80 years of age. It is a loblolly pine.  How do you think it got its name?

The word "loblolly" originally meant a thick porridge or gruel served to English sailors. When Europeans first came to settle the southeastern United States, they used that word to describe some of the local swamps where they found mud with the same thick, gooey consistency. The term also came to be applied to some of the plants that commonly grew in these areas, which is how loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) and loblolly bay (Gordonia lasianthus) got their common names.

7. Do you know how to identify the leaves of a loblolly pine tree?

Pines have long needle-like leaves that are held in bundles called "fascicles" with a sheath holding the needles together at the base.  On loblolly pine, the needles are 10 to 17 cm long, and borne in fascicles of 3 or occasionally 2. They are dark yellowish green or sometimes grayish green, thick but flexible, and sometimes slightly twisted. The sheath is 1-1.5 cm long.

8. How old do you think the large grape vine shown on the sign could be?

These woody vines can grow over 100 ft in height and some varieties have been known to live over 400 years (in Europe).  Not sure about this particular vine, but it could be a few hundred years old.​

9. Do you think the wild grape vines are harmful in this small woodlot, or helpful?

There are many species of birds that utilize the shredded bark of these vines to build their nests and many who favor nesting in the tangles themselves. Birds and other animals eat the fruits and disperse seeds. There are many people who mistakenly think that grape vines are harmful to trees, but native wild grapes vines are rarely damaging and will not kill healthy trees. 

10. This plot is exposed to large open areas on two sides. How might this exposure affect the wind action, soil moisture, humidity, and sun exposure here?

The open areas bring increased wind action and sun exposure, while reducing the soil moisture and humidity here. This is a reminder of how no area stands completely alone, but is affected by its neighbors.