 |  | |
 |
|  |
 |  | |
| | |
|
| |
| | |
|
|
Originally published in 1939
Some of this information may no longer be current and in that case is presented for historical interest only.
Edited by GET NJ, COPYRIGHT 2003
The route turns R. at Weekstown, skirting the edge of GREEN BANK
STATE FOREST (open daylight hours; hunting permitted in season). The
impenetrable growth of white cedar is so thick that the route resembles
a darkened hall. The reservation covers 1,833 acres on both sides of the
Mullica River, with giant trees, bathing beach, and picnic grounds. A 900-acre cedar swamp in the forest is one of the few surviving sources of New
Jersey's early timber wealth.
In the forest are 65 trees that form part of the "Great Aspen Mystery."
The species was first discovered on the eastern shore of Maryland by a tree
expert, Fred C. Williamson, but it was not listed in the Yale Forestry
School's catalog of 28,000 trees from all parts of the world. After microscopic examination of the leaves and wood, Professor Record of Yale
identified it as a hybrid from the crossing of white poplar and aspen
(Populus canescans). Professor Record could not explain to Williamson's
satisfaction how these 100-year-old trees could have originated with the
nearest trees of the parent species each almost 100 miles away. Nor could
old residents or county records shed any light on the mystery.
|
|
|
Return To |
|
|
