Pitch Pine Park and Tree Nursery
Thanks to the vision and dedication of Greg Decker, Stewardship Chair and the Stewardship Committee (through snow, the pandemic, drought, and social distancing), a new Pitch Pine Park and Tree Nursery has taken shape. The park, located at the Memorial Park Drive entrance to the preserve, will help restore pitch pines and provide information about their historical value. The Oswegatchie Hills contain a rare pitch pine grove in southeast CT. According to Emery Gluck, CT-DEEP Forester, “an estimated 95% of the pitch pine-scrub oak barrens have been lost, making these landscapes the most decimated upland ecosystem.”
Master Gardener, FOHNP member, and EL Conservation Commission Member, Penny Heller, designed the landscape for the site. It includes young pitch pines – which will be left to grow to maturity – as well as areas of native wildflowers, ferns and plants. The pitch pine saplings, once large enough, will be transplanted up to the ridge tops in the preserve to help repopulate the dwindling imperiled species.
Greg Decker took freshly cut white oak and steam bent them into curved supports for the concrete benches that look like wooden planks. These curved benches surround a portion of the 20’ circular paver “stage” where talks about the conservation effort, as well as historical uses for pitch pine in Colonial times will be given, and where guided hikes will begin. Greg also created two entrance arbors that are framed with singed mountain laurel branches, symbolizing the 1962 fire in the Hills.
Though not yet totally completed, plan to visit this comfortable gathering point on your next visit to the Hills. This project was made possible by generous grants from the Dominion Foundation and CT Society for Women Environmental Professionals, a private donation from Anne and Jeff Barnhart, and support from Rings End; Riverhead Building Supply; Arrow Head Inc. and Thompson Native Lumber. Please support these sponsors and let them know you value their contributions to the FOHNP.
Master Gardener, FOHNP member, and EL Conservation Commission Member, Penny Heller, designed the landscape for the site. It includes young pitch pines – which will be left to grow to maturity – as well as areas of native wildflowers, ferns and plants. The pitch pine saplings, once large enough, will be transplanted up to the ridge tops in the preserve to help repopulate the dwindling imperiled species.
Greg Decker took freshly cut white oak and steam bent them into curved supports for the concrete benches that look like wooden planks. These curved benches surround a portion of the 20’ circular paver “stage” where talks about the conservation effort, as well as historical uses for pitch pine in Colonial times will be given, and where guided hikes will begin. Greg also created two entrance arbors that are framed with singed mountain laurel branches, symbolizing the 1962 fire in the Hills.
Though not yet totally completed, plan to visit this comfortable gathering point on your next visit to the Hills. This project was made possible by generous grants from the Dominion Foundation and CT Society for Women Environmental Professionals, a private donation from Anne and Jeff Barnhart, and support from Rings End; Riverhead Building Supply; Arrow Head Inc. and Thompson Native Lumber. Please support these sponsors and let them know you value their contributions to the FOHNP.
The progression over time is remarkable! We are so lucky to have dedicated volunteers creating a park and tree nursery to benefit not only pitch pines, but our community.
