Nature on the Trail

The tree directly in front is a gray birch, with its characteristic “chevrons” appearing below each branch.  Next to the gray birch are several smooth barked poplars.  Both these trees are “pioneer” species; they are the first to move into an open or disturbed area.  Their motto is “live fast, die young.”  These trees take … Continue reading Pioneer Trees

A 3 ½ inch diameter paper birch is growing up among a group of grey birches.  Notice that the bark of the paper birch is a much brighter white and peels away horizontally.  The gray birch bark does not peel and is gray, as its name suggests.  Remember to look for the chevrons on the … Continue reading Birches

Look at the two large white pines, one directly in front of the flag and a second one off to the right.  Since these two trees are much larger than the trees around them, we can assume they were left along the stone wall to provide a little shade.  The pine weevil is an insect … Continue reading Pine Weevils

This is the last point of interest marker of the trail at its southern end.  You are but a few steps away from the Irving Station’s rest rooms and the good food at the Red Arrow Diner.  Once again, you see that the rail trail has both recreational and commercial benefits—the rail trail is “good … Continue reading The Call of Nature

Eastern White Pine The large evergreen just off the trail at the bottom of the slope is an Eastern White Pine. You can see the large, even-aged stand of white pines across the wetlands in front of you. This tree is quite common in southern New Hampshire; its wood is valued for being easy to … Continue reading Eastern White Pine