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Roads and Paths

Description

The roads and trails in the forest are unpaved or graveled. A few plants grow on the roads and trails in places that are not compacted by traffic.

Selected Plants

Along Sutherland Pond Road

Along Sutherland Pond Road

Herbs

Occurrence

Continental Road and the other main roads are gravelled and support heavy traffic. On these roads plants are usually found only in the middle. The lesser-traveled dirt roads, such as Sutherland Road and Carpenter Road, can support a more diverse flora. Brook Road and Glycerine Hollow Road cut through rich, moist woodland and support a more diverse flora than the dry roads of the upper forest.

Ecology

Abandoned farm lane

Abandoned farm lane

The plants growing on roads and trails must be able to withstand constant disturbance, compacted soils, and dryness.

Roads persist long after they are abandoned. Dozens of old farm lanes and logging roads, some abandoned 80 years ago or more, still criss-cross the Forest. They are easily recognized, especially in the winter, by the parallel troughs left by wheels. The compacted soils of these sites take decades to recover to the point where tree seedlings can take root.

History

Continental Road, Old West Point Road, and the abandoned road along the west side of Mt. Rascal are the oldest roads in the Forest and some of the oldest in the Highlands. All were built before 1800 and were important connectors between the Central Valley and New York City. Hall Road, now abandoned, appears on maps from the early 1800's. White Oak Road and Jim's Pond Road and Carpenter Road are old trails that were widened and paved after the Forest was established.

Also Called

For general references see the reference page.

Photos: Kerry Barringer