This might be a bit simplistic, but Wing, the kids, and I were heading out to a spot on the river today, and decided to take a short cut through the woods, cutting off a couple of miles. This area has high ridges, intersected with lowland and swamp. There is no way to go all the way on high ground, and we had to go through a large section of low ground.
Part way through the low land (ashes, elder, and black spruce), the kids and Wing thought we should go south to get to the next ridge, while I insisted we go north. Reason, I could see aspens and a few birches off to the north, indicating higher ground, and nothing but black spruce to the south, indicating lower land. They followed my lead and we were soon seeing more birches and eventually, maples, as we climbed the ridge.
I'd never really thought about it, but just knowing what kind of trees grow on what kind of ground gives you an edge in the woods.
Our river spot was beautiful, and we had a fine cookout and watched the geese and bald eagles.
PG
Part way through the low land (ashes, elder, and black spruce), the kids and Wing thought we should go south to get to the next ridge, while I insisted we go north. Reason, I could see aspens and a few birches off to the north, indicating higher ground, and nothing but black spruce to the south, indicating lower land. They followed my lead and we were soon seeing more birches and eventually, maples, as we climbed the ridge.
I'd never really thought about it, but just knowing what kind of trees grow on what kind of ground gives you an edge in the woods.
Our river spot was beautiful, and we had a fine cookout and watched the geese and bald eagles.
PG
