Observation of the Month

The Prescott Farm iNaturalist observation of the month for Februrary 2021 is this Paper Birch by @bethkel.

photo of paper birch tree trunk

Paper birch or Betula papyrifera is an early successional species. Seedlings don’t tolerate shade, so it needs open places in order to grow. Paper birch in the forest at Prescott Farm is just one of the clues that this land has been cleared for other uses and then allowed to grow back up into forest. Paper birch seedlings are unlikely to grow in the shaded understory and shade tolerant species will eventually replace it as forest succession continues.

photo of a gloved hand holding paper birch bark away from the tree so the color underneath can be seen without breaking the bark

Coming soon! Wondering how to have the best chance of someone identifying your amazing sightings? Each week through March we will post observation tips for different organisms.

Posted on March 3, 2021 03:27 PM by aspring aspring

Comments

No comments yet.

Add a Comment

Sign In or Sign Up to add comments