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6. From Forest to Field and Back Again When a field is abandoned, the succession process begins. This process of growth and change occurs in three steps, which are seen as layers in the landscape. First, small plants grow in, followed by bushes and small trees, then larger trees afterward. When the process is finished what was once a field is now a forest. Staghorn Sumac is a woody tree that grows during the second stage of succession. Contrary to common beliefs, all sumac is not poisonous. Poison Sumac can be distinguished from Staghorn Sumac because it has smooth, not fuzzy leaves. Whimsey Meadow is an excellent example of succession. Everywhere one looks, there are three visible layers of plants. In most of Whimsey Meadow the first layer consists of grasses, milkweed and goldenrod. The second is of sumac and honeysuckle and the third is made up of pines, birches an sugar maples. Whimsey Meadow is well on its way to becoming a forest. White Pine trees grow during the third part of the succession process. The pines can live for 50-100 years before they are replaced by beech, birch and sugar maple trees. Milkweed grows with the first phase of succession. Milkweed is toxic, and is the primary food source of Monarch butterflies. By feeding on the milkweed they become toxic and are protected from predators.