6. From Forest to Field and Back Again

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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.
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.
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.
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.