An interesting thing about Five Points Forest is the topography. The land here forms both upland and lowland, creating a variety of forest communities and wetlands. This diversity of landforms makes Five Points Forest incredibly biodiverse in addition to containing Provincially Significant Wetlands.
Early Meadow Rue (Thalictrum dioicum) is prominent along the side of the trail at this point. This woodland plant is native to North America and produces greenish-white flowers in early spring. The species name “dioicum” in botany means that the male and female flowers are on separate plants, and is derived from the Greek word meaning two households. Depending on the time of year, you may also see spring ephemerals, ferns and wild strawberry. Ferns are edible in the spring, forming fiddleheads, and wild strawberries are tiny but delicious!
This portion of the forest is an older, mature deciduous upland forest. The grandmother on the successional path, these trees are well-established and extend high into the canopy. The sub-canopy and ground layers are rich in biodiversity and the soil organisms are very active. The valley alongside the trail is perfect habitat for foraging deer. If you’re quiet, you might even see one!
Five Points Forest is also home to a variety of birds. Some of these include Eastern Wood-pewee, Wood Thrush, Scarlet Tanager, Red-tailed Hawk, Gray Catbird and Red-bellied Woodpecker. The forest also provides habitat for reptiles and amphibians.
[1] Photo credit: Kaitlin Richardson
[1] Photo credit: P. Allen Woodliffe
[1] Photo credit: Dave Wake
[1] Photo credit: Mark Cunningham