Tupelo Morning

Our favorite tree in the Back Woods, the swamp tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica biflora) captured on a beautiful morning a few weeks ago when the wetlands were really full from the rains. Our intrepid volunteer George, who has since headed back to NC for the summer (you will be missed!), helped me carve out a little trail off the main path to this vista.

Lined with cut willow, the path even features a little log staircase leading up a spoil mound to a fabulous view of this gorgeous tupelo with it’s distinctive moss covered bottle shaped base. If you stop by for a visit, please do keep an eye out for poison ivy. We try to keep it off the immediate trails but, visitors do need to be aware they may come in contact with it if they stray from the trail. Do you remember the old warning…leaves of three, leave me be? Keep an eye out for our next post, it will be on how to identify poison ivy.

In the short period of time since this photo was taken, the tupelos have bloomed and are starting to push out new leaves. Soon we should be treated to a crop of green that turn to blue/black oblong drupes which are very popular with the wildlife crowd. More on our favorite tree in an upcoming post!

Happening where its Wet in the Back Woods

Design and permitting of the new boardwalk is moving right along. Once complete, the boardwalk will be part of a new main entrance to the Back Woods trails. It is planned to be 6ft wide with rails and a nice 10x16 observation deck about in the center where visitors can take a moment to view the plants and critters that make our wetlands home.  We anticipate the boardwalk will be completed by the end of December and of course we’ll keep you updated as the project progresses. In the meantime, there is much work to be done clearing invasive vines and overgrown hardwoods around the new proposed main entry and boardwalk entrance. Contact me directly if you are interested in volunteering to help us in the clearing!

Couldn’t resist dropping in this shot of my favorite tree in the Back Woods. This plump bottle  bottom shaped tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica biflora) with its mossy base is such a stand out. This shot was from last week during our brief dry down otherwise this spot is definite waders or galoshes territory! One of our challenges is making some of these very interesting but frequently wet areas accessible without damage to the wetland and without muddying up the visitors. Not worried about getting your feet wet? Let me know and I’ll clue you in on the cool things to check out where it is wet in the Back Woods!