![]() ![]() Animals: Occurs in the park at least once every few years, varying in numbers, but not necessarily every year.Plants: Few individuals, usually restricted to small areas of rare habitat.Animals: Present, but usually seen only a few times each year.Plants: Few to moderate numbers of individuals occurring either sporadically in commonly encountered habitats or in uncommon habitats.Animals: Likely to be seen monthly in appropriate habitat and season.Plants: Large numbers of individuals predictably occurring in commonly encountered habitats but not those covering a large portion of the park.Animals: May be seen daily, in suitable habitat and season, but not in large numbers.Plants: Large number of individuals wide ecological amplitude or occurring in habitats covering a large portion of the park.Animals: May be seen daily, in suitable habitat and season, and counted in relatively large numbers.Assigned based on judgment as opposed to determination based on age of the most recent evidence. Historical: Species' historical occurrence in park is documented. Not In Park: Species is not known to occur in park.Īdjacent: Species is known to occur in areas near to or contiguous with park boundaries.įalse Report: Species was reported to occur within the park, but current evidence indicates the report was based on misidentification, a taxonomic concept no longer accepted, or other similar problem of error or interpretation. Unconfirmed: Species is attributed to park but evidence is weak or absent. Probably Present: High confidence species occurs in park but current, verified evidence needed. ![]() Present: Species occurs in park current, reliable evidence available. One or more Occurrence Tags may be associated with each Occurrence value. View the complete species list of trees, shrubs, and vines. ), brilliant yellow birches and poplars, and the red and orange black gum ( Nyssa sylvatica), sumac ( Rhus spp.), maples, and Virginia creeper ( Parthenocissus quinquefolia). A walk or drive through the park at this time of year yields beautiful views of rich red-brown oaks ( Quercus spp. The Fall leaf color change typically peaks in mid-October. Blueberries ( Vaccinum spp.) and huckleberries ( Rubus spp.) soon follow and are especially abundant in the dry oak forests of the Park. In mid-Summer blackberries ( Rubus spp.) and raspberries ripen in the open areas along trails and streams. Mountain laurel ( Kalmia latifolia) is one of the most common understory shrubs within the Park, and it is well known for its abundant pink blooms in June. Early spring finds serviceberry ( Amelanchier spp.) blooming, the white blossoms visible for long distances through the leafless forest. These species are most noticeable when their leaves change color in the Fall, but can be appreciated all year long. Yellow poplar ( Liriodendron tulipifera) forests are found on the lower slopes and along streams.Īpproximately 20% or 267 of the vascular plant species documented in the Park are trees or shrubs. Mid-slope positions support areas of mixed hardwood forests that include maple ( Acer spp.), birch ( Betula spp.), ash ( Fraxinus spp.), and basswood ( Tilia americana) trees. Over half of the land is dominated by either chestnut or red oak forests situated on the ridge tops and upper slopes. Today Shenandoah NP is greater than 95% forested. These large pale bark-less trees continue to be visible from many places on Skyline drive. More recent disturbances such as the gypsy moth ( Lymantria dispar) killed large numbers of oak trees in the early to mid-1990's. However, when the park was established in 1935, logging, farming, grazing, and the chestnut blight had rendered one third of the park completely deforested, and the remaining land covered with brush and a very young regenerating forest. When you see the expanse of forested land extending away to the valley floor it is hard to imagine that things have ever been different than they appear today. ![]() If you hike or drive through Shenandoah National Park you will be treated to sweeping views of forested hillsides. ![]()
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