Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Forest for the Trees
Maine sports several distinct types of forest. In southern and western
areas most forests are filled with Eastern hardwood trees such as maple,
beech and birch. As you head north, or gain elevation in mountainous
areas, this changes.
In the north, east and at higher elevations the forest is primarily North-
ern softwoods with a predominance of
spruce
and
fir
.
Pines
are found
primarily on sandy, well-drained sites. Most of the tallest were felled in
Colonial times after being marked with an axe to indicate they were “the
King's trees,” reserved for use by the Royal Navy for masts and spars.
In wetland areas
cedar
and
larch
, the latter the only evergreen tree to
shed all its needles each year, can be found.
TREES OF MAINE CHECKLIST
Ash
Hemlock
Sugar maple
Aspen
Hickory
Walnut
Balsam fir
Hornbeam
White birch
Basswood
Horse chestnut
White cedar
Beech
Jack pine
White oak
Black oak
Larch
White pine
Chestnut
Red maple
White spruce
Elm
Red oak
Willow
Gray birch
Red pine
Yellow birch
Red spruce
The Forest Ecosystem
The composition of forest stands and the distribution of species can be
affected by many factors besides climate and moisture. After a major
upheaval, such as forest fire or clear cut, hardwood species like maple
and birch quickly colonize an area. Softwoods such as pine and spruce
prefer shady areas. New hardwood growth creates ideal habitat for
moose and deer, as well as upland game birds such as spruce grouse.
As the hardwoods mature they create a canopy which encourages the
growth of softwoods. These will eventually take over in a process known
as forest succession. If allowed to grow unmolested, eventually a tall,
mature stand of large conifers will result. This is called a
climax forest
.
