The most valuable single product is black cherry, which is used mainly for veneer in the furniture industry. Pennsylvania Sedge (Carex pensylvanica) - PART TO FULL SHADE. The Forest TodayDespite dire predictions of Rothrock and others, Pennsylvania's forests did recover in the years following the great clearcut. By far, however, the largest proportion (70 percent) of forested land in the state is privately owned. Plants Native to Western Pennsylvania. You are being redirected to the DCNR eLibrary. Oak and other hardwoods are also important. Pennsylvania's location spanning 40 degrees - 42 degrees north latitude and its varied terrain support 108 species of native trees and many other introduced from Europe and Asia. northern red oak 1. We have included the various common names associated with each scientific name to help you find the right tree. Others, such as American holly, sweetbay magnolia, southern red oak, willow oak, chinquapin, and short-needle pine, just reach the state from the south. We consider the flora present at the time Europeans arrived in North America as the species native to the eastern United States. Pennsylvania, with its unique geographical position, has 102 kinds of trees native to the State, although there are numerous introduced species growing and thriving in this latitude and climate. Deer have consumed the lower layers of vegetation including tree seedlings and saplings, shrubs, and herbaceous species. The timber industry remains an important part of Pennsylvania's economy, totaling nearly $5 billion per year and providing about 100,000 jobs. Charcoal making utilized small trees and could be done on a 25-year rotation in most areas. The Tionesta Scenic and Natural Area in Allegheny National Forest in northwestern Pennsylvania includes the only sizable tract of old growth forest that remains in the state. A grass substitute for dry, shady areas under trees. The cooling effect from transpiration and shading add to our comfort. At the turn of the 21st century, about 1,300 species of non-native plants existed in Pennsylvania outside of … A second wave of timber harvesting focused on hemlock bark, which was used in the leather tanning industry. Today, it is not unusual to come across old charcoal hearths, level areas about 40 feet in diameter, scattered throughout the forests in areas where charcoal making occurred. Allegheny plum and pumpkin ash have been recommended for endangered status. Mild winters have allowed the adelgid to spread rapidly. Thanks to all for your continued support of this program. Development of a system of forest reserves, now known as state forests, began in 1897 with the acquisition of abandoned cut-over lands that were sold at tax sales. Fossil pollen and charcoal preserved in bogs and lake sediments all across the eastern half of North America, as well as many of the earliest written observations, record wide-scale use of fire by Native Americans to manage their landscape. Fagus grandifolia. Home; About; Contact; Our Plants. Pennsylvania's Forest Heritage. Too many deer—Over-abundant deer are a serious threat to the health of forests throughout the state. Classified as threatened are American holly, umbrella magnolia, sweetbay magnolia, and common hop-tree. Beech, sugar maple, and hemlock are so-called late successional trees because of their ability to grow and reproduce in low light conditions. Moist rich acidic soils. Most of Pennsylvania’s forest lands fall into two types: Mixed oak forests cover about 54 percent of the commonwealth -- mostly in the south -- and include trees such as northern red oak, chestnut oak, shagbark hickory, red maple, and tulip poplar. Today many of the old railroad beds are the basis for a network of hiking trails. Rarity occurs for several reasons; some native Pennsylvania trees such as balsam fir, tamarack, and black spruce are northern species that are at their southern limit of range in Pennsylvania. Initially open land will be colonized by species such as eastern red cedar, tuliptree, aspens, or red maple that grow well in the high light conditions of open fields. Wild black cherry reaches its best development in this zone, especially in the northwestern part of the state. 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