Imagine yourself wandering down a trail flanked on each side
with massive Live Oak trees dripping in Spanish Moss. Sabal Palm trees are dotting the landscape
with Sweet Gums, Hickories, and Swamp Chestnut Oaks mixing in to close the
canopy above you.
In the distance you hear the chatter of squirrels that are
giving a cry of alarm over a hawk that has taken up roost on the branch of tree
to close to home for them to be comfortable.
These are the daily experiences of life in an Upland Hardwood Forest. In north Florida you will find a large species diversity within this landscape. I visited a property known as Evergreen around Yulee that bordered close the St. Mary’s River. It had massive Swamp Chestnut Oaks, Longleaf Pines, and White Oaks with a beautiful midstory of Gallberry, Wax Myrtle, and Beautyberry.
In places where some of these massive trees had fallen you
could see the canopy opened giving light to new growth on the forest
floor. New shoots of Laurel Oak trees
were taking advantage of the opportunity to fill the void that was created by
the passing of one of those great trees of yesterday.
In the early morning I could hear the closing call of a
Barred Owl finishing his shift and telling everyone good night for the
day. While appearing wild and
uncultivated the Mixed Hardwood landscape is providing a diverse ecosystem that
everyone can enjoy and find peace.
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