Hearts Content National Scenic Area
Encyclopedia
Hearts Content National Scenic Area is a tract of old-growth forest in Warren County
, northwestern Pennsylvania
. It represents one of the few remaining old-growth forests in the northeastern United States that contain white pine
. The area is protected as a National Scenic Area within the Allegheny National Forest
.
held the 20 acres (80,937.2 m²) tract of old-growth forest at Heart's Content from 1897 until 1922, when they deeded it to the United States Forest Service
. In 1934, the Chief of the Forest Service recognized the old-growth stand and 102 acre (0.41277972 km²) of surrounding land as a National Scenic Area. The forest became a National Natural Landmark
in 1973.
. Lutz concluded that the even-aged white pine stand established following a major disturbance
about 350 years ago, such as a fire; since then, the species has not reproduced under the closed canopy. By relocating and resampling Lutz's original plots, Whitney documented 50 years of changes in the structure and composition of the stand. During this time, dense deer
populations have reduced the regeneration of many tree and herb species.
hemlock-white pine-northern hardwood forest type. The old-growth forest is from 122 acres (493,716.9 m²) to 150 acres (607,029 m²) in extent, but the scenic area is most famous for its 20 acres (80,937.2 m²) of tall white pine and Eastern hemlock
. Many of these trees have diameters
of over 40 inches (102 cm) and heights of over 140 feet (43 m), and most of the white pine are between 300 and 400 years old. American beech
is also plentiful in the forest, but is affected by Beech bark scale
. Hay-scented fern
covers much of the understory
due to overbrowsing by deer.
trail
passes through the area on old railroad grades. There are also numerous camps owned by private individuals in the area.
Warren County, Pennsylvania
Warren County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 41,815. It was formed in 1800 from parts of Allegheny and Lycoming counties; attached to Crawford County until 1805 and then to Venango County until Warren was formally organized in 1819. Its county...
, northwestern Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. It represents one of the few remaining old-growth forests in the northeastern United States that contain white pine
Eastern White Pine
Pinus strobus, commonly known as the eastern white pine, is a large pine native to eastern North America, occurring from Newfoundland west to Minnesota and southeastern Manitoba, and south along the Appalachian Mountains to the northern edge of Georgia.It is occasionally known as simply white pine,...
. The area is protected as a National Scenic Area within the Allegheny National Forest
Allegheny National Forest
The Allegheny National Forest is a National Forest located in northwestern Pennsylvania. The forest covers of land. Within the forest is Kinzua Dam, which impounds the Allegheny River to form Allegheny Reservoir. The administrative headquarters for the Allegheny National Forest is located in Warren...
.
History
While many of the region's forests were being clear-cut, the Wheeler and Dusenbury Lumber CompanyWheeler and Dusenbury Lumber Company
Between 1887 and 1938, railroads built and owned by the Wheeler & Dusenbury Co., Endeavor, Pennsylvania, formed one of the largest logging rail networks in Northwest Pennsylvania...
held the 20 acres (80,937.2 m²) tract of old-growth forest at Heart's Content from 1897 until 1922, when they deeded it to the United States Forest Service
United States Forest Service
The United States Forest Service is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands, which encompass...
. In 1934, the Chief of the Forest Service recognized the old-growth stand and 102 acre (0.41277972 km²) of surrounding land as a National Scenic Area. The forest became a National Natural Landmark
National Natural Landmark
The National Natural Landmark program recognizes and encourages the conservation of outstanding examples of the natural history of the United States. It is the only natural areas program of national scope that identifies and recognizes the best examples of biological and geological features in...
in 1973.
Scientific study
H.J. Lutz's study of Hearts Content was one of the earliest quantitative analyses of plant communities in an old-growth forest, and it remains influential in the field of ecologyEcology
Ecology is the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment. Variables of interest to ecologists include the composition, distribution, amount , number, and changing states of organisms within and among ecosystems...
. Lutz concluded that the even-aged white pine stand established following a major disturbance
Disturbance
In ecology, a disturbance is a temporary change in average environmental conditions that causes a pronounced change in an ecosystem. Outside disturbance forces often act quickly and with great effect, sometimes resulting in the removal of large amounts of biomass...
about 350 years ago, such as a fire; since then, the species has not reproduced under the closed canopy. By relocating and resampling Lutz's original plots, Whitney documented 50 years of changes in the structure and composition of the stand. During this time, dense deer
White-tailed Deer
The white-tailed deer , also known as the Virginia deer or simply as the whitetail, is a medium-sized deer native to the United States , Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America as far south as Peru...
populations have reduced the regeneration of many tree and herb species.
Vegetation
Hearts Content represents E. Lucy Braun'sEmma Lucy Braun
E. Lucy Braun was a prominent botanist, ecologist, and expert on the forests of the eastern United States.- Life :...
hemlock-white pine-northern hardwood forest type. The old-growth forest is from 122 acres (493,716.9 m²) to 150 acres (607,029 m²) in extent, but the scenic area is most famous for its 20 acres (80,937.2 m²) of tall white pine and Eastern hemlock
Eastern Hemlock
Tsuga canadensis, also known as eastern or Canadian hemlock, and in the French-speaking regions of Canada as pruche du Canada, is a coniferous tree native to eastern North America. It ranges from northeastern Minnesota eastward through southern Quebec to Nova Scotia, and south in the Appalachian...
. Many of these trees have diameters
Diameter at breast height
Diameter at breast height, or DBH, is a standard method of expressing the diameter of the trunk or bole of a standing tree. DBH is one of the most common dendrometric measurements....
of over 40 inches (102 cm) and heights of over 140 feet (43 m), and most of the white pine are between 300 and 400 years old. American beech
American Beech
Fagus grandifolia, also known as American Beech or North american beech, is a species of beech native to eastern North America, from Nova Scotia west to southern Ontario in southeastern Canada, west to Wisconsin and south to eastern Texas and northern Florida in the United States. Trees in the...
is also plentiful in the forest, but is affected by Beech bark scale
Beech Bark Disease
Beech bark disease is a disease that causes mortality and defects in beech trees in the eastern United States and Europe. In North America, the disease results when the beech scale insect, Cryptococcus fagisuga, attacks the bark, creating a wound. Later, two different fungi Beech bark disease is a...
. Hay-scented fern
Dennstaedtia punctilobula
Dennstaedtia punctilobula is a species of fern native to eastern North America, from Newfoundland west to Wisconsin and Arkansas, and south in the Appalachian Mountains to northern Alabama; it is most abundant in the east of its range, with only scattered populations in the west.It is a deciduous...
covers much of the understory
Understory
Understory is the term for the area of a forest which grows at the lowest height level below the forest canopy. Plants in the understory consist of a mixture of seedlings and saplings of canopy trees together with understory shrubs and herbs...
due to overbrowsing by deer.
Recreation
Visitors can walk an easily accessible, 1 miles (1.6 km) loop trail through the old-growth forest. A picnic area, campground and several other trailheads are nearby. A 6.4 miles (10.3 km) cross-country skiCross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
trail
Trail
A trail is a path with a rough beaten or dirt/stone surface used for travel. Trails may be for use only by walkers and in some places are the main access route to remote settlements...
passes through the area on old railroad grades. There are also numerous camps owned by private individuals in the area.
See also
External links
- Heart's Content Scenic Area (Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural ResourcesPennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural ResourcesThe Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources , established on July 1, 1995, is the agency in the U.S. State of Pennsylvania responsible for maintaining and preserving the state's 117 state parks and 20 state forests; providing information on the state's natural resources; and...
) - Hearts Content Recreation Area (United States Forest Service)