A white pine grove near the parking area in the southeastern corner of the tract was planted in the 1930's but was devastated by a severe wind and snow storm in 1993. Herrontown Woods trees had previously suffered a major setback in the 1970's when a gypsy moth infestation killed many mature trees. Today, a visitor can observe the natural succession of species that resulted from the openings in the forest canopy from these and other losses. The shrubs you will see in the Woods also indicate the underlying soil conditions. Among the woody vines, Virginia creeper, poison ivy, and Japanese honeysuckle are widespread.
Herbaceous plants come and go with the seasons.
In the fall, woodland aster is widespread, and partridgeberry is notable in the uplands. A wide variety of wildlife has been observed in Herrontown Woods, although many species will elude the eyes of most visitors. Among the mammals observed are bats, gray fox, eastern mole, opossum, raccoon, cottontail rabbit, chipmunk, gray and red squirrel, Southern flying squirrel, woodchuck, shrew, weasel, and white-tailed deer. Amphibians include the salamander, toad, and frog. Reptiles noted in the Woods are the five-lined skink, Eastern box turtle, wood turtle, garter snake, milk snake, and northern water snake.