Mystery plant is a Leatherleaf mahonia (Mahonia bealei); a common ornamental that is beginning to work its way up the exotic invasive list in throughout the Southeast.
Steve Springer ________________________________ From: [email protected] [[email protected]] On Behalf Of James Parton [[email protected]] Sent: Saturday, January 02, 2010 12:35 AM To: ENTS Subject: [ENTS] The Ramble Grove_Asheville NC ENTS, Today I finally got back to do some measuring of a nice White Pine grove that I found while on another hike back in January 2009. The grove is located between the Blue Ridge Parkway and Hendersonville Rd ( Hwy 25 ) near where the parkway crosses over 25. I call it the Ramble Grove because of the nearby Ramble housing development located nearby. http://www.nativetreesociety.org/fieldtrips/north_carolina/20090125-blueridgeparkway/mountainstosea_trail.htm The grove is dominated by Eastern White Pine but also contains Tuliptree and Pitch Pine with American Holly as an understory tree. A few oaks and shortleaf pines are found here too, especially near the borders of the grove. Large Poison Ivy vines also climb to great heights into the trees. I found one huge vine that was two feet in circumference! Why do some forests have large Poison Ivy vines while others lack Poison Ivy all together? Poison Ivy seems rare in most older growth forests I visit while it seems more common in younger forests. Especially near populated areas. Does anyone know why? I would guess this grove to be young judging by the trees youthful appearance and many branch stubs on the trunks of the pines. I would guess the grove at 60-80 years old. The tallest tree found today was a respectable White Pine that was 143..2 feet tall and 6' 3" in girth. Tall and slim. The largest overall was a Tuliptree that was 138.3 feet tall and 8' 9" in girth. Also a hollylike plant was found in the forest that I believe is an invasive species. Can anyone identify this " mystery holly " for me? I have seen it as an ornamental in people's yards. I think my dad has one.. I don't think it is a true ilex. Here are todays measurements cbh Height White Pine 6' 3" 130.3' White Pine 8' 0" 122.6' White Pine 6' 2" 136.5' Tuliptree 8' 9" 138.3' White Pine 6' 3" 143.2' ! Pitch Pine 5' 6" 114.3' ! It was a good day but my hands were about frozen when I got out of the woods! James Parton -- Eastern Native Tree Society http://www.nativetreesociety.org Send email to [email protected] Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/entstrees?hl=en To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] -- Eastern Native Tree Society http://www.nativetreesociety.org Send email to [email protected] Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/entstrees?hl=en To unsubscribe send email to [email protected]
