Waterfall Hero Hikes: Umstead Forests

The forest in William B. Umstead State Park is an example of a southeastern mixed forest, dominated by oak, hickory and pine trees as well as a variety of understory species. Having been agricultural land for 150 years before the park's establishment, it is an example of a successional forest with natural processes taking over. Periodic natural events, such as hurricanes and ice storms, have knocked out parts of the forest with the succession process starting over.

Understory:

The understory consists of smaller trees that grow beneath the forest canopy. Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) is one such tree.

Redbuds produce bright pink blooms in the spring.

The flowers are unique in that they not only bloom along the branches, but sometimes growing right out of the trunk.

Another flowering tree that blooms in spring is the flowering dogwood (Cornus florida).

The flowers are actually the small green centers - the white "petals" are actually bracts, a type of leaf.

Shrubs:

A number of shrubs flower in the spring and put on quite a show. Crabtree Shrub Slopes Natural Area is a special area within the park, located along the banks of Crabtree Creek.

It is designated as a Natural Heritage Area. This area can be accessed from the Company Mill and Inspiration Trails. High, north-facing bluffs along Crabtree Creek create a microclimate similar to that found in more mountainous areas. As such, shrubs uncommon to the region flourish in this area, including mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) and rhododendron.

In late spring, the mountain laurel put on a flowery show not normally seen in the Piedmont.

Pinxter azaleas (Rhododendron periclymenoides) can also be found in Crabtree Shrub Slopes Natural Area. It produces beautiful pink flowers, but like most rhododendron, is poisonous.

American holly (Ilex opaca) is an evergreen shrub or small tree that produces bright red berries in the winter.

Many species of birds eat these berries during winter when food is scarce.

Forest Floor:

In spring time, the forest floor comes alive with wildflowers. See Umstead Wildflowers for more.

The forests throughout the park have a large number of ferns growing throughout. Young ferns start out as a "fiddlehead" that grows into the fern frond.