It can reach a very large size - the biggest one in New Jersey is almost seven feet in diameter. The smaller specimen here, on the right of the trail and over the bench, shows the distinctive gray, narrowly ridged bark. Just twelve years ago the thicket of young trees on the left of the trail was part of an open field. Succession has proceeded very rapidly here because this old field is close to a woodlot containing mature trees, which produce many seeds. The young trees here are mostly black locust, red maple, black cherry, tulip tree, and sweet gum, all of which are common in the nearby forest.
Ecologists speak about 'ecotones' - which are places where different habitats come together.
Such places contain some plants and animals from all of the nearby habitats, and are thus more diverse than any single habitat. Keep your eyes open for birds and animals along this section of trail. The birdhouses on poles along the edges of these fields were intended for occupancy by the eastern bluebird. These birds normally nest in tree cavities, but two aggressive, introduced species, the starling and the house sparrow, often take over all available cavities and prevent bluebird nesting. These houses were especially designed for bluebirds, but we have had no nesting bluebirds yet.