The Pine Forest

The pine forest provides an interesting contrast to the vast biodiversity, or abundance of different species, found in other habitats at Boxerwood. The pine forest is a monoculture, meaning only one species -- Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) -- has been planted here. A monoculture causes a decline in the number of species, particularly animal species, existing in an area by decreasing the variety of different resources available. Notice that there is very little undergrowth, hardly any trees & shrubs other than pines.

Pines tend to be large towering trees that block quite a bit of sunlight from reaching the forest floor. This lack of sunlight, along with the slight acidity associated with pine needles, limits other plant growth. Limited plant growth means limited food is available for animals, as well as fewer locations for animals to make their homes.

A diverse established forest will tend to have multiple layers and provide many niches for each type of animal. In the pine monoculture, only those animals who can feed from or live in pines or small shrubby plants will make their home. Other animals will choose a more diverse forest system, with lots of choices for food and places to live.

And related to the monoculture characteristic, just like what happened in the pioneer forest, these trees are under attack by the pine bark borer. This beetle bores its way through the bark into the heart of the tree, where it lays its eggs. The eggs then hatch and the hungry new beetle eat the tree from the inside out as they make their way back out to attack other pines. The pine bark borer also causes a blue-staining mold to grow on the trees, making them even more sick and unlikely to survive. To learn more about this bug, come visit & check out the pine forest learning station.

Deep inside the pine forest, there is a quiet and serene atmosphere (if you can forget the hungry beetles).  There is pinestraw underfoot on the soft ground, the whisper of wind, and swings to enjoy.  But be aware and don't come in on windy days - you may not hear the fall of a cracking branch.