WALK IN THE WOODS (TheMondayGarden.com)

The Monday Garden, November 21, 2004, Issue 139
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WALK IN THE WOODS

There are a couple of magic hiking days in New England, right after the leaves first fall but before it gets too cold to be outside for an extended period. The magic comes from the sudden revelation of the "bones" of the forest. All summer, thick leaves have hidden the trees' upper trunks and branches; the forest floor is so dark that you need a flash to take photos even on the sunniest days. Suddenly, the leafy curtain is gone and the light comes in.

Picture: Bartlett Arboretum woodland path Nov. 2004

To enjoy this time, last Friday, I set out for a hike through the woods at the Stamford's Bartlett Arboretum with two friends, both Master Gardeners, one a Master Gardener mentor and Arboretum woodland guide. (How lucky can you get?) So here's what we saw:

pictures: The "bones" of these American beeches are revealed; their bronze leaves will fade to pale tan but stay on the tree most of the winter.

pictures: On the forest floor, the club moss is blooming, the red partridge berries peek through the leaves, and a spotted wintergreen nestles for winter warmth next to a large rock.

Picture: The swamp cypress at the pond is a deciduous conifer, now down to just a few bronze needles.

Pictures: Along the swamp walk, a dying tree hosts shelf fungi; my companions spot a giant paper wasp nest which had been hidden by the summer leaves.

Picture: the winterberry ilex (a holly) holds its red berries until the birds need them in mid winter.

Pictures: the tall meadow rue has a few leaves left; the button bush's still displays the brown core of last summer's flower heads.

Pictures: native cornus' bark has turned winter red (note the opposing branches); swamp azalea has set its buds for spring; and the skunk cabbage is poking up its nose.