Merry & Pipkin

Just off the main trail lie two of the largest American Sweetgum trees in the forest. I call this pair Merry and Pipkin and though close in age, one is slightly older and larger than the other. Merry, (the larger tree) is about 14 feet in circumference and of unknown height. Based on the trees size its estimated age is over 150 years-old.

The area around the sweetgums is interesting. A third large sweetgum here is a "snag". A snag is upright dead tree that serves as a home and food source for many plants and animals.

Near this snag is a tangerine tree that bears very small fruits full of seeds. This tree is likely the product of a discarded fruit by some passerby over the last fifty years or so. Over the span of the year it is interesting to see how high the deer browse by where fruits remain, (approximately 8 feet above the ground).

A very old native muscadine grape wraps Merry and serves as additional food for the wildlife in this forest.