Spring comes late on the higher elevations.
My walk along a continental divide that crosses one of the higher elevations in Potter County confirmed that fact.
The sunny day was welcome following a few days of rain. It was windy, warm and sunny. The coming weekend will usher in the opening of the statewide trout season.
The sojourn to the northern tier for the trout opener remains a tradition for many anglers. After all, there is an abundance of trout streams and miles of undisturbed water where wild trout can be found. Camps and seasonal homes that have not been inhabited since the close of deer season will come alive and bustling with activity.
But for right now they remain empty and silent.
A number of observations and several comparisons began to stand out from where I had been a little over a week ago. To the south, within valleys of Centre County, wildflowers were in bloom, some of which are now beginning to appear on the high ridges of the northern tier.
It’s amazing to see the difference in the coming of spring by being separated by an hour’s drive and elevation. Yet there are signs of spring that can’t be denied, and it comes in the emergence of wild flowers.
Their beauty is short-lived, but well worth paying attention to. With specific needs and conditions, wildflowers have begun to take center stage in what a walk in the woods has to offer.
Regardless if you’re making your way along a streambank, scouting for gobblers, or just taking a walk, wildflowers are the bright spot across a dull, brown –– yet greening –– landscape.
Before the tree leaves and shrubs sprout and shadow the ground, the warmth of the sun provides conditions for wildflowers. In some areas beds of wildflowers will spring forth, while isolated or small groups of plants will be seen as they begin to flower.
The first two wildflowers that can be seen are skunk cabbage and coltsfoot. Unlike your favorite flower garden, these two wildflowers will make their appearance in two completely different areas.
Wildflowers are particular as to where they prefer to flourish. One important consideration is the condition of the soil. In the case of coltsfoot, poor soil such as that found along roadsides offers ideal places to flourish and grow. Trilliums on the other hand prefer rich soil.
Another factor that controls where abundant wildflower beds will be found is soil acidity. According to Penn State Forest Resources Extension, the degree of soil acidity (pH) is a critical factor in plant health. And yes, the problem of acid rain can contribute to the decline of certain wildflower species. However that decline does not stop at the acid rain problem.
Studies have shown that white-tailed deer also contribute to the problem. Deer, along with their tremendous appetites for nearly everything that grows on the forest floor, can be a factor as well.
The soil moisture content will dictate what type of wildflowers you will see in a particular area. Wet areas such as spring seeps provide conditions where skunk cabbage will thrive. When various wildflowers are observed, take note as to the soil type and moisture content of the ground. It’s amazing what you will see.
Without a doubt, light conditions are a major factor in either helping or hindering wildflower conditions in a particular area. In the spring, generally it is the open areas exposed to sunlight that offer the best conditions for wildflowers. However as the tree leaves come out and shade the ground, these conditions will be favored by another set of wildflowers.
Keep in mind that wildflower season doesn’t end as spring turns to summer. Wildflower season runs from early spring until late fall. There is a continual blooming, however the type of wildflowers observed range from day lilies to mullein. However in the spring of the year the early wildflowers stand out more dramatically against the drab backdrop that winter has left behind.
Good wildflower field guides and a walk in the woods go hand in hand this time of year. There are plenty of varieties of wildflowers to keep you flipping the pages and identifying the flowering jewels emerging from the ground.
With the opening of trout season and the youth spring gobbler season to come, the solitude of the mountains will have to be shared with others. That’s the way it has to be. Yet for a short while each year I’m willing to keep it all to myself.
The price of admission is free; your only investment is time. But once wildflower season is embraced, the brilliant colors of delicate flowers will keep you coming back.
KECA completes land acquisition
The Keystone Elk Country Alliance (KECA) completed their first permanent land protection project, a 9-acre tract located adjacent to the Elk Country Visitor Center in Benezette Township, Elk County, PA. The property consists of white pine and hemlock with mixed oak and hickory over story.
“Elk use the property year around, mostly as a bedding area,” stated Rawley Cogan, President and CEO KECA. “Elk that frequent the Elk Center forage plots and the elk viewing areas.”
The Keystone Elk Country Alliance is a Pennsylvania based 501 (c) (3) wildlife conservation organization. KECA’s mission is to conserve and enhance Pennsylvania’s Elk Country for future generations. KECA operates the Elk Country Visitor Center. Visit ExperienceElkCountry.com for more information on KECA and KECA’s elk tag raffle.
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Charlie Burchfield is an active member and past president of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, an active member of the Professional Outdoor Media Association, Outdoor Writers Assoc. of America and the Mason-Dixon Outdoor Writers. Gateway Outdoors e-mail is GWOutdoors@comcast.net.
