February 12, 2003- "Red Cedar Plot" - Group 3
Kristin DiGregorio, Kristen Smith, and Lauren Casciano
This is the Y-Shaped Black Oak Tree (Quercus velutina). It is located on the Northwestern boundry of "Red Cedar Plot". The snow accumulation at its base was 16 cm.
This is the skinny sassafras tree located to the right of the white pine tree (Pinus strobus). It is located at the northeast point of our plot. The snow accumulation was 16.2 cm deep.
On the Southeastern border of the plot, a dead black oak with branches hanging off of it is located. 22.2 cm. was the depth of the snow at this point.
This tree is a bent sassafras (Sassafras albidum), which is located at the southwestern point of our plot. At the base of this tree there was a snow accumulation of 19.7 cm. From comparing each measurment of snow, we found that the southern part of our plot was deeper than the northern.
Here is the red cedar tree, scientifically named ( Juniperus virginiana). This is the tree our plot is named after!
This is a picture of the white pine, also known as (Pinus strobus). You can also observe the rabbit tracks in the background to the right of the white pine.
Species List:
March 18, 2003 - "Red Cedar Plot"
In this picture we can observe two animal dwellings in the form of holes. We hypothesized that it could be either a rabbit, snake, mole, or chipmunk hole. However, we strongly believe it to be a chipmunk hole. :)
This is the underside of a rotting log. We didn't observe much insect activity. This can be contributed to the fact that the snow has just melted and spring is on its way. We are sure that we will see more on our next visit!
Located towards the left of the center is a sprouting acorn. Take special note of the
new greenish-yellow sprout erupting from the crack in the shell. This is a sign of the
changing of the seasons and the new life that it brings with it. 
In this picture you can see the contrast between a non-germinating acorn and one that has already sprouted. The acorns are nestled in a bed of decaying leaves that are the key components of the forest floor.
This is just an overall view of our plot. It looks very different now that all the snow has melted. Can you identify the differences?! ;)
Above is a white pine or Pinus strobus. It is brighter green than our last observations. Below is an up close view of the white pine's needles. They are more supple than last time.
Species that can be added to our list:
On our visit to Red Cedar Plot, we noticed a lot of things have changed since the last time we were here. There was absolutely no snow on the ground and we could see the crushed dead leaves on the floor. The path through the middle was packed dirt and mud and acorns were scattered about. The saplings present were beginning to show new green bark. Despite all the indications of Spring, insects were not present in abundance. The temperature was approximately 60 degrees Fahrenheit, as opposed to 32 degrees last time. ( brrr!! ) We saw the homes of forest dwellers. We do not know exactly what animal made them, but we strongly suspect it is a chipmunk. Hopefully next time we are here we will be able to observe more changes and see a greater variety of life!
*April 9, 2003*
Although it is the beginning of April and supposedly the beginning of Spring, the weather on our third visit was horrible!!! We tried to bundle up so we could continue our observations. After braving the cold we saw many things, even though there was a lack of the spring phenomenoa we hoped for.
Snow just fell on April 7 and left its wintry whitness on the forest floor. However, the constant rain of today was slowly but surely melting the snow. The trail was rather muddy due to the rain and constant human use. There were many more acorns on the ground beginning to sprout ( we observed a crack in the shells with roots protruding). Our plot in general had a more green look. Because of the changing season we saw more animal tracks. Animals reproduce generally at a greater rate in the Spring. Due to the presence of snow, the tracks were easier to see and identify. We suspect we saw the tracks of either a racoon or a squirrel. Human footprints were also easier to see. We now know that we should take human influences into account as we observe our plot. Also, the budding of the plants was apparent and saplings were peeking out from under the snow. We observed Black cherry sapling budding and getting ready to grow. We also saw sassafras or Sassafras albidum as it is called in the world of science. We identified it by the scent of its branch when we peeled the bark away. Posion ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) was showing its head through the snow. It is necessary to be careful of this plant because if it comes into contact with your skin you will be left with a large itchy rash! In order to avoid it you just need to be careful of its signature 3 shiny leaves and stay on the trail. We found something that was rather exciting. A new species we observed was "turkey tail" growing on the side of a black oak tree. Its scientific name is (Coriolus versicolor) It is commonly found on both dead and injured wood attached in overlapping shelves or roselike clusters. They are found in oak dominated woodlands, pine barrens and swamp forests. Insects were not in abundance as expected due to the inclement weather conditions. In normal springtime climate, more bugs would be out to bother us!
Information about Winter can be found at these sites... Take a look!
http://www.ceinfo.unh.edu/counties/hillsborough/peskcritt.html
http://greennature.com/article75.html
http://www.nature.com/nsu/020826/020826-6.html
http://www.nysite.com/nature/winter.htm
http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/~uplink/champaign/homeowners/020202.html
: http://www.thecopperleaf.com/InLeaf/winter2001.html
*April 30, 2003*
We went out to brave the wilderness again today. However, today the weather was soo much nicer. It was about 65 degrees Farenheit with a warm breeze blowing and not a cloud in the sky. This was a big difference from the last two times we were out there. This excursion we observed a variety of budding and bloomed plants. The insects were buzzing (we saw a yellowjacket) and we actually saw a group of ants marching two by two, (just kidding)! Another interesting insect we observed was the Tiger Swallowtail butterfly (Pterourus glaucus). The markings on it were yellow and black therefore indicatinig it was female in gender. They have a wingspan up to 5 inches and can survive almost everywhere. The posion ivy was very apparent today. We were able to notice it because it had bloomed and the leaves were red and shiny. It is important to stay away from poision ivy because it causes an itchy rash. When it is bloomed it is easier to spot and stay away from. Today we measured the longitude and latitude of our plot using a Global Positioning System or GPS. GPS technology allows us to figure out our longitiude and latitude anywhere on the globe. Every inch of the world is mapped due to GPS! Our exact location 40.90727°N and 073.11980°W. The plants were easier to observe now because leaves, buds and flowers were present.
Some other flora we observed were the:
Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) The highbush blueberry have slightly elliptical leaves that are slightly hairy underneath. They have flowers taht are small, white and present in terminal clusters. They will produce fruit that is edible with a blueish blackish color and a whitish powder develops on them in the summer.
Maple Leaf Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium) The Maple Leaf Viburnum have leaves opposite that are 3 lobed and look like a maple tree leaf. They are abundant in the oak-dominant woodlands.
Virginia Creeper (Parethenocissus quinquefolia) The Virginia Creeper is a high climber with long, thin tendrils. The leaves are present in groups of five and the plant is indiginous to oak dominated woodlands and maritime forests.
budding Black Cherry ( Prunus serotina) The black cherry is unique in that the crushed leaves have a bitter taste and distinct odor. They can grow up to 80 ft!