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Lindera Loop Handicapped Trail Putnam County’s First Handicapped Accessible Trail About the Forest… Did you know that the forest that you are currently in is called a deciduous forest? These types of forests are found all over the world, not just in North America. They are found in many locations in the Northern Hemisphere like in Europe and Asia but they are rarer in the Southern Hemisphere. This specific Appalachian forest in one of the two richest broadleaf temperate forests on Earth! The forest is about 135,000 sq. mi. (351,500 sq. km.) and though that would seem like a huge forest, it is actually one of the smallest ecoregions that contains an abundant amount of species and biodiversity. Now, take a guess on how old this area of land is. If you guessed 440 million years old, you are correct! This small mountain range is known as the Taconic Mountains, part of the Appalachian Mountains. The range was formed from the collision of the North American plate into a small volcanic arc during a period of time known as the Ordovician Period. Many, many years later, a forest formed, followed by the arrival of many diverse animals. Our forest: Red Maple Swamp Forest The forest on which the trail rests is a red maple swamp forest. Here, maples are the dominant tree type with an understory also containing a dense vegetation of shrubs like spicebushes, dogwood, and sweet-pepper bush. At the forest floor, plants like skunk cabbage and ferns abound. The red maple swamp forest is also famously inhabited by many songbirds. Listen closely, and you may just be able to hear the sweet chirps of the numerous species of birds that take residence in this forest. Ecological Succession Ecological succession is the gradual and orderly process of change in an ecosystem brought about by the progressive replacement of one community by another until a stable climax is established. It occurs when the conditions of an environment suddenly and drastically change. Colossal forces can destroy species, and thus alter the dynamics of the ecological community, triggering ecological succession in two ways: (1) in a rush for dominance among the species still present, and (2) in the rebirth of a community after a disaster. Just as humans must regroup after natural disasters and rebuild their homes, plants and animal must naturally recover after natural calamities too. One year after the wildfire Two years after the wildfire Look above. How can these two forests possibly be the same thing? Due to the wonder of ecological succession, the Boreal Pine Forest in the Lahemaa National Park in Estonia has naturally recovered from a wildfire. The Layers of the Forest Look around you, at the trees, bushes, shrubs, and ferns surrounding you. Did you know the forest is organized in many different layers? In fact, every forest is made up of different layers. This break-up of the forest into different layers is known as Forest Stratification. There are many ways to divide a forest. In this forest, you can see four main layers: the emergent layer, the canopy, the understory, and the forest floor. The Emergent Layer Look around. Find the tallest tree. Does it poke through the canopy level of trees and look like an umbrella covering the forest? If so, you have found the emergent layer. These trees take in the most sunlight, but are the most susceptible to the winds above the forest, and are easily knocked over. The Canopy Sometimes known as the “over story,” the canopy layer is deployed by leaves from mature trees. The canopy layer is typically last to show green in spring. It is the highest layer in the forest and intercepts much of the forest’s sunlight. The Understory The understory layer is made up of tree saplings and tall shrubs. In mature forests, many saplings can just about take in enough sunlight and nutrients to reach the understory layer. Forest Floor The forest floor can also consist of another layer known as the shrub layer. The shrubs and ferns that you see growing on top of the forest floor makes up the shrub layer. The actual forest floor very dark, due to all the trees, plants, ferns, and shrubs taking the little sunlight allowed through the forest. The soil is layer with leaves and twigs, which decay and provide nutrients in the soil. If you look down, you could also see mosses growing on the floor, where it is warm and shady. Deer What do you think of when you see a deer walking through the forest or even your backyard? Do you think of a sweet, innocent creature that is always in harm’s way, like Walt Disney’s classic movie character Bambi? Hate to break it to you, but deer are not always as delightful and guiltless as the may seem, no matter how cute they are. With the removal of natural predators, the population of deer can now thrive. However, deer cause a lot of damage to the understory of a forest, and with this population increase, the damage is significantly worse. As you read about the layers of the forest, you learned that the understory consists of tree saplings that have only slightly grown because of their lack of sunlight. As the deer population grows, the saplings are trampled and over-browsed, resulting in the formation of an open, parklike area with little vegetation on the lower levels of the forest. So instead of a diversity of woody and herbaceous trees, the ground surface is dominated by ferns and grasses. This reduction in the understory removes important nesting and feeding sites for some forest songbirds. Also, the wild-flowers preferred by deer, such as Trillium, may be reduced in abundance or even eliminated completely where there is a high population of deer. Now think about all the auto accidents deer cause a year. Not only are the deer hurt, but us humans could get seriously injured or may even die. The more deer that live in a forest, the more they roam to find a place to stay, and the more car accidents they cause. It’s hard to believe how such a seemingly harmless creature could cause so much harm! If only we could bring back their natural predators, the forest’s ecosystem would return to balance. Gray Squirrels This is the squirrel that most New Yorkers think of and see outside in their backyards. These squirrels like to live in larger trees, such as oak and hickory, where they have an abundance of food and lodging sites. Though it is a calmer and less aggressive species of squirrels, the gray squirrel is still very energetic and capable of climbing and jumping from branch to branch of trees. Gray squirrels are known to be gatherers of foods, preferring to eat nuts and seeds that are found on the forest ground. The downside of foraging the grounds is that the squirrel becomes more vulnerable to predators like foxes, hawks, and owls. A gray squirrel averages one to one and a half pounds, which is relatively small. But still, it’s hard to imagine a forest without the lively, chattering squirrels running along the ground and up the trees! As you walk along the trail, you may notice various posts. These posts are there to call attention to points of interests. The rest of this brochure corresponds to the posts, providing the information about these natural wonders. 1. The Trail’s Namesake: Lindera Benzoin Right at the entrance of the trail, take a look to your left. If you’re looking at a large, shrub-like plant with several stems and brown, speckled bark, you are looking at the trail’s namesake: Lindera benzoin. The leaves are 3-5 inch long elliptical shapes, and give out a spicy odor when crushed. These aromatic leaves turn a beautiful golden yellow in the fall. When in bloom in the spring, the flowers are small and yellow and appear in clusters. In the fall, the flowers are completely matured into berry-like fruits also giving off a peppery scent. Birds like to feed off these berries during the summer and they are one of the best sources of energy for long distance migratory birds. There are so many other benefits to this beautiful plant. It is an excellent source of nectar to pollinators like butterflies and bees. It can even act as a host plant for spicebush and tiger swallowtail butterflies. The flowers and leaves produce an amazing fragrant. It provides cover and nesting for birds. Luckily, it is deer resistant and it is a perfect plant for damp, shady regions. So when you are walking by the Lindera benzoin, stop and take a look at it. Notice its flower if it is spring, its berries if it is summer, or its beautiful array of golden leaves if it is fall. However, anytime of season you can stop and breathe in its wonderful aroma and relax in the wonders of nature. 2. Barberry As you walk along the trail, keep an eye out for a thorny, shrub with narrow, oval, small, dark-green leaves. In the spring, there are small, not showy, clustered yellow flowers that turn into bright red berries that can last during the winter. Invasive species are non-native plants or animals that displace the actual native species, disrupt the ecosystem, damage resources, and can disturb recreational activities. And believe it or not, barberry is an invasive species. It can spread up to eight feet, and cannot be controlled because since it is a non-native plant, it has not natural predators or competitors. And getting rid of it is nearly impossible. Just imagine coming out here and pulling out these thorny shrubs to make room for this trail. Now that’s dedication! 3. Ferns Ferns are an ancient linage of plants, dating back to the Devonian Period. There are actually over 10,000 species of ferns! Most ferns are found in tropical forests, where their stems grow up to 40 feet tall. Here, in temperate forests, the stems of ferns, called rhizomes, grow underground, so unfortunately they don’t grow as tall. Leaves, or fronds, grow from the rhizomes every spring. Ferns like to live in shaded, undisturbed places. Probably the most common fern in this forest is the broad beech-fern. This species extends all the way from Florida to Texas to Minnesota and Maine. Another fern common in these woods is the royal fern. This fern can grow between 2 to 5 feet tall with smooth, pale green stems. The dark green leaflets are the fertile leaflets, which contain spores. The spores themselves are green and capable of photosynthesis. After the spores have been released, the fertile leaflets turn light brown. Broad Beech-Fern 4. Royal Fern Bluestem Goldenrod There are several different types of goldenrod. This specific type of goldenrod, the bluestem goldenrod (seen below and to the left), likes to grow in wooded areas, such as the area surrounding this trail. It can grow up to three feet tall. Its name comes from its obvious bluish-purple colored stem which frequently arches as the plant grows and gets taller. It produces yellow flowers during its blooming season in August to October. 5. Poison Ivy Poison ivy is a woody ivy that’s skin contains an irritant that causes an itching rash for most people. It grows throughout North America, most commonly found in the New England area as an understory plant in a forest. It can grow in many different environmental conditions, such as in an arid climate, a moist climate, and even in brackish water. The plant is virtually unknown in Europe, and many European hikers in America are surprised to find such a hazardous plant. Poison ivy is distinguished by its three leaflets. The colors of its leaves change depending on its age, with the light green leaves showing a younger plant and the darker leaves showing a more mature plant; in the fall the leaves turn red before they fall. Flowering of poison ivy occurs from May to July, and a berry-like fruit, called a drupe, matures during the months of August to November. Poison ivy, in fact, is very beneficial for birds. The allergic reaction caused by poison ivy is known as urushiolinduced contact dermatitis. About 15%-30% of people are not allergic to poison ivy, and many become sensitized to it with repeated exposure. 6. Lichens Many people don’t know how truly important lichens are to our environment. Lichen is a combination of a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and a photosynthetic partner. They can grow virtually anywhere, regardless of the climate; they even grow on soil or even rocks. Lichens are the first species to arise in an environment, before any plant, tree, shrub, bush, or animal even moves into the area. The appearance of lichen allows for more oxygen in the environment because the photosynthetic counterpart takes in oxygen and releases carbon dioxide, allowing for animals to come in. When the lichen dies, it decomposes and provides nutrients for the soil, thus allowing future plants to come in and inhabit the area. This leads to the eventual formation of a forest; therefore, all forests start off as empty land inhabited by lichen. Lichens have been used for many purposes, including medicines, perfumes, and dyes. It’s amazing how this symbiotic relationship is so important to our environment. 7. Winterberry Holly When many Americans think of Christmastime, their minds often drift to wreaths adorned with winterberry holly. It is also known as “black alder,” “false alder” and “fever bush.” Winterberry holly is native to the eastern United States and Canada in wetland areas though it can be grown in other climates. Its native area stretches from Nova Scotia, Canada to southern Florida and out west to Missouri and Michigan. The plant is quite easy to cultivate as it only requires partial sunlight to thrive and has few disease or insect problems. Winterberry holly can grow to heights anywhere from 3 feet to 15 feet tall. This shrub becomes very showy, and conducive to displaying at Christmastime because winterberry holly loses its leaves every autumn, so its shiny red berries are even more prominent during the colder seasons. Pretty as they may be, winterberry holly can be quite dangerous for humans. Ingesting just 20 berries can be fatal to the average adult. However, winterberry holly serves as an important source of food for many species of birds and other wild animals. Winterberry holly can also serve as shelter for some birds and thereby provide food and protection from predators (by the spiny leaves) within the shrub. 8. Trout Lily This early bloomer is often a sign that spring is just around the corner. Trout lily, a common wildflower in the woods of eastern Canada and the United States, often blooms before the last of winter’s ice has melted from the ground. It is called a “trout lily” due the mottled color of its leaves which resemble the coloring of the brook trout. Its purple/yellowish coloring makes it extremely recognizable. The plant has multiple names in addition to trout lily such as “adder’s tongue” and “dogtooth violet.” Adder’s tongue comes from the likeness between a snake’s tongue and the harshly pointed, closed leaves as they poke through the dense forest floor. It is also called dogtooth violet because its bulb is white and tooth-like, similar to a violet, though it is not a violet at all. The trout lily is a lowgrowing plant that grows into different colonies at different ages. When it is young, the trout lily has but one leaf and is flowerless. When it is older is grows a second leaf along with a flower. More parts will not grow until the plant’s corm reaches a sufficient depth (roughly 10-20cm). Like all members of the lily family, the trout lily has the characteristic three petals and three petal-like sepals. Though trout lily is an edible plant that was traditionally boiled and eaten, like everything else it should be eaten in moderation. Ingesting too much trout lily can cause mild vomiting. Trout lily spreads via an underground root system (corms) rather than by seeds. 9. Jack-in-the-Pulpit This plant, scientifically called Arisaema triphyllum, is native to North America growing in woodlands from the East coast to Minnesota and from Florida all the way North to Nova Scotia. A jack-in-the-pulpit’s leaves are trifoliate, with groups of three leaves growing along a stem that arises from a corm. This is not to be confused with the foliage of poison ivy. The flowers of a jack-in-the-pulpit are also known as inflorescence, or a group of flowers arranged on top of a stem. The flower is irregularly shaped and usually grows to about 8 cm. long. A brown and yellow striped spathe, or pulpit, wraps around the spadix, or “Jack,” which is covered by all the tiny flowers of both sexes. Flowering occurs from April until June, and then smooth, shiny green berries form and cluster on top of the spadix. Jack-in-the-pulpit contains oxalic acid, which is poisonous if ingested, causing extreme pain and eventual death. It was found that the Indians who used to live in North America would mix meat with the crushed corm of a jack-in-the-pulpit, and then leave the meat out for their enemies to find and eat, causing a painful death. Even so, the plant is still edible, but only if it is properly dried or cooked. 10. Yellow Bellied Sapsucker If you’re lucky and you listen closely, you can maybe hear the soft pecking of a yellow-bellied sapsucker on a tree. This is a pretty common woodpecker in this area. This bird, however, is very shy and often the only signs of the bird can be on the trees and the horizontal rows of holes it leaves behind on the tree. The bird pecks on the trees so that the sap oozes out. The sweet and sticky sap attracts many insects that come hungry to eat the sap. The yellow-bellied sapsucker then not only drinks the sap but also eats the insects that are caught in the sap when it returns for pecking at another tree. But don’t worry about the trees! This doesn’t hurt them and they can heal relatively quickly, though they will always bear a “scar” as a result of the sapsuckers pecking. 11. Butterflies and Moths Butterflies are found on all continents in the world except for Antarctica, and there are over 170,000 different species of the lepidopteron species (butterflies and moths). These insects are most often seen during the warm seasons, but they sometimes even appear on warm winter days. It’s truly amazing how important the wings of butterflies and moths are to their survival. First of all, males and females have certain patterns and colors on their wings that distinguish between the sexes. Certain species have superbly vivid colors on their wings that caution predators to be aware. Monarchs (shown above), for example, have this characteristic. Monarchs in particular also have poisonous wings and taste horrible to predators. Some butterflies and moths also have wings that allow them to blend in with the environment, a camouflage that prevents them from being eaten. A characteristic of all Lepidoptera is that they undergo metamorphosis. This transformation involves four different stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (cocoon), and adult. Caterpillars usually eat plants while adult butterflies and moths prefer flower nectar and pollen. Butterflies and moths, in their larva stage in particular, are important to the food chain because they are often the preferred food choice for animals like birds, bats, and spiders. While walking on the trail, be sure to keep a look out for some Lepidoptera! Monarch butterflies and Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies are two of the more common seen along the trail, especially at the clearing at the end of the trail. 12. Vernal Pools Vernal pools are temporary pools of water that are devoid of fish, thus usually support amphibians and insects. This pool created by the tree root isn’t exactly a vernal pool, but it definitely similar in its functions. Like vernal pools, this “pond” is dry for some parts of the year, but teems with life come spring (hence the name vernal). Frogs and toads are the most obvious inhabitants, especially in spring when they lay their eggs. In New York State specifically, the endangered tiger salamander is a prominent species that is dependent on vernal pools. The flora of the vernal pools depends on the weather, season, and moisture of the pool. 13. Trillium Have you ever seen these pretty little flowers? Chances are you have. These flowering plants are native to North America and Asia. They are called trillium (also known as wake robin or birthroot). In eastern North America the most common type of this herbaceous plant is the trillium grandiflorum (pictured at right). This plant has a large, often white three-petaled flower above three broad bracts that look like leaves. Many species of trillium are cultivated in wildflower gardens. While these flowers look beautiful enough to pick and keep forever, PLEASE DO NOT. In New York State it is illegal to pick trillium for their flower because it seriously injures the plant. The three leafy bracts below the flower are the plant’s only ability to produce food. A picked trillium can take many years to recover. Trillium is one of many various flowering plants whose seeds are spread via ants and mice. The ants are attracted to the fleshy organ on the plant’s seeds called an elaiosome. The ants take the seeds and they eat the elaiosome. Then they keep the seeds in their garbage where they are protected until they can germinate. Thus, more plants are created for us to enjoy! 14. May Apple Colony Look to your left, you see those pretty little white flowers?? That’s podophyllum peltatum, commonly called may apple, and commonly found in eastern United States, coincidentally the home of the Lindera Loop Handicapped Trail. Though the common name is may apple, it is the flower that appears in early May, not the “apple.” May apple stems grow to about 18 inches high. It separates into two large, dark green, lobed, palmate, stemmed leaves. May apple looks almost like an umbrella protecting the large white flower and the “apple” (the fruit). The white flower of the may apple is known for growing right in-between the leaves, and blooms in May. The “apple” (the fruit of the plant) is produced and later ripens during the summer season. Originally Native Americans and later other settlers used the rhizome of the may apple for many medicinal purposes. However, be aware that when consumed in small amounts the may apple’s ripened fruit is edible, but when consumed in large amounts it is poisonous. About the Lindera Loop Trail… The Lindera Loop Trail is inside the 140 acres of Putnam County Land Trust’s Peach Lake Natural Area off Cobb Road in Southeast, nestled under the tall canopy of deciduous forest and winding through the understory of native Lindera bezoin. The trail, a 700-by-5-foot path, is Putnam County’s first handicapped-accessible trail. This location, as you may have seen, is home to many plants and animals that are native to red maple swamps including wild monarda, geranium, trillium, may apple, trout lily, jack-in-the-pulpit, Virginia creeper, violet, various ferns, winterberry holly, spicebush, deer, turkey, pheasant, partridge, squirrel, chipmunk, and countless species of small birds. The site of the new trail is also the location of the headquarters of PCLT -- the house (right) was donated by Dorothy O’Brien, an avid naturalist with a passion for preserving natural areas. In September 2008, Anna Eisenstein and Krista Gabarro opened up the Lindera Loop Handicapped-Accessible Trail with the help of the Putnam County Land Trust and its president and vice president: Judi Terlizzi and Brian Alberghini. Part of a Diploma of Excellence project, a Carmel High School program that requires 300 hours of community service with the creation of two projects, Anna and Krista came up with this idea and started working on this project their freshman year. The two of them believed that the beauty of nature should be available to everyone, even those physically challenged. They spent countless hours clearing the trail of plants like barberry, working relentlessly to raise money to pay for the materials, sending letters, and making presentations to get donations from various companies and organizations. Their hard work and dedication paid off, and the results are perfect portrayals of success. As the first handicapped-accessible trail in Putnam County, it has been a major success. Every day, we see many people strolling through the woods on the trail to enjoy the wonders and beauties of nature. The path features an environmentally friendly surface (Item 4 choked with stone dust) that wheelchairs can roll over, and pull-offs or landings every 100 feet. It includes a small cul-de-sac (the “Loop”), a fern glen, a trail guide, observation area, benches, and appropriate signage. Anna and Krista are now in college, but the project was continued by seniors Sam Gilbert and Laura Craciun. The two students have strikingly diverse interests. Laura has an aptitude for the natural sciences, doing research in a laboratory at Cornell Medical School and even aspiring to be a doctor. On the contrary, Sam is hoping to pursue a career in the social sciences and humanities, as she has a passion for government and foreign languages. Despite their differences, they share an interest in nature. Like Anna and Krista, these two high school students are also participating in the Diploma of Excellence project. They are making their own contributions to this noteworthy trail. This brochure is the result of their efforts. It provides details on not only the land’s native plants and animals, but also the history of the land and the forest. They spent countless hours researching, writing, designing, and editing this brochure. Sam and Laura are also currently raising money for the trail, in hopes that the trail can continue with its progress, perhaps with, for example, the addition of sitting area to make the trail even more hospitable to all visitors interested in exploring nature! All four of these students have a love for nature and believe that such wonders should be adored by everyone, no exceptions. This trail was built in hopes that such a dream can be accomplished, and that even those physically challenged can observe the wonders the natural world has to offer. Anna, Krista, and now Sam and Laura have put forth enthusiasm and love in their work on this trail in hopes that their visions can be achieved. Acknowledgements Judi Terlizzi, Brian Alberghini, and the Putnam County Land Trust for their support and cooperation All the donors who made this trail possible: o o o o o o o o o o o Brewster VFW Post 672 Carmine Labriola Contracting Corporation The Correll Family IBM Community Grant Program Envirostar Margot Irlam Irish Putnam County Land Trust Brewster Elks Club Brewster Rotary Club George Candreva Foundation Environmental Mini-grant All other donors Donations are still appreciated for trail maintenance. Contact Information: For more information about the trail, visit our website at http://www.pclt.net