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How to Recognize It
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The Maple - Ash Swamp Forest is the wettest forested natural community in the park. Located in floodplain swamps along the river, portions of this natural community can be underwater for extended periods—sometimes much of the growing season. Most of the trees here are silver maple (and/or red maple) and green ash. Even these trees can’t survive in some of the deepest and wettest parts of these swamps, which are covered instead by low wetland plants such as lizard’s-tail.
Can you find this combination of key features?
Identifying This Natural Community
- Silver maple (and/or red maple trees) and green ash trees growing on small mounds, with very few other tree species
- Lizard’s-tail and other low, water-loving plants such as and small-spike false nettle
- A lack of shrubs
- Eastern poison-ivy
- (Optional) Standing water in hollows
- Location: a low, swampy area set back along a river floodplain or an abandoned canal channel
If so, welcome to the Maple - Ash Swamp Forest at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.
Not sure? Check out the Compare Natural Communities Tool.