Today I joined Three Rivers Land Trust at one of the properties they have a conservation easement on. This one is located on Deep River in the vicinity of the House in the Horseshoe. For whatever reason, some of the old growth trees on this tract were never timbered. It's always a treat to see old growth forest and this did not disappoint. Some of the monsters have toppled recently. We had to climb over one large one.
Trout Lilies were in bloom and they were some of the largest ones I have ever seen.
Our guide for the morning hike was Bruce Sorrie, author of Wildflowers of the Sandhill Region which sits on my reference book shelf. Bruce pointed out a delicate ground plant that is quite rare in this area, Yellow Harlequin.
There was quite a nice community of Hackberry trees. The largest one had almost smooth bark and resembled an American Beech. Otherwise, they have a knobby rough bark.
Spring Beauties were abundant as a ground cover.
Here is Bruce by the state champion Shumard Oak. Quercus Shumardii. They are often used as landscape trees since they grow quite fast and have a stately crown.
Katie had her forester tape handy and measured the circumference. She got the tape out for a giant Sweet Gum as well. Bruce thinks it may challenge the current state champion. Also, on the property is a state champion Florida Maple.
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