Stop 3 Foresters Trail
At this stop, you are near a den tree, also called a snag. These trees have broken tops or are dead but still standing. They provide cover for a variety of wildlife species, perches for predatory birds such as hawks, sources of insects for woodpeckers, a place for nesting and food storage, and recycle nutrients back to the soil as they decay. Without snags, an important component of wildlife habitat would be lost.
At this same spot are several sourwood trees. Both useful and beautiful, yet perhaps best known for sourwood honey – a bright tasting treat. This tree is also useful because of its hard wood and was once used regularly for sled runners. During the summer, sourwood trees have beautiful white lilylike blooms; in the fall, their leaf color ranges from crimson to hot pink.