Stop 13 Foresters Trail
Shade tolerant species can regenerate and grow under their own shade, so they can continually replace the canopy. When this occurs, the forest is considered to have reached maturity or a climax. In Appalachian coves, American beech and sugar maple are considered climax species. In this location, in the absence of disturbance, American beech will remain the dominant species. However, even a climax forest is not static. Small changes occur every day, whether it is a branch falling off a tree or a seed germinating. Larger changes, like acres of trees being blown over in a hurricane, occur less frequently but still play a major role in succession.
Beech is a long-lived tree reaching ages over 300 years. A prickly woody bur matures in the fall providing beechnuts, an important food source for wildlife. Early settlers recognized that the tree was a sign of fertile soil and removed them to plant crops.