Trees of that age produce nuts, acorns and den sites for wildlife. These forests will begin to take on the characteristics of original old growth forests, but appearances can be deceiving. Second growth trees grow at a uniform rate, all the same age because the forest was regenerated from clear cut land. Bobwhite quail are declining, but not enough to be listed. They are a game species that has not benefited from the recovery experienced by many other game species.
Woodcock are also a game species in decline.
They are dependent upon wetland habitats and moist woods and are in decline due to loss of habitat. The park is about 800 square miles in area and was established in 1934. It is the most visited park in the entire national park system. Over 10 million people visit annually, many of them driving cars into the park. This factor makes the park vulnerable to pollution with most summer days rating an unhealthy ozone level, and a reduced visibility of twenty miles.