Natural & Cultural History:
Stand 1 includes a unique “cove” along the seasonal brook that drains the adjacent steep, south side of Meetinghouse Hill. The cove includes sugar maple and black birch as well as hemlock in the cool ravine of the seasonal brook that drains cold air down-slope from steeper ground above.
The dry red oak forest of the adjacent upper slopes of Meetinghouse Hill is characterized by bands of cliff, ledge, and talus. The adjacent area includes the evidence of an historic graphite mine (History of Sutton) and also stonewalls of sheep pastures that included the summit of the hill by the mid-1800’s. This red oak–hornbeam forest on shallow soil with exposed bedrock constitutes an open, park-like “oak savanna” community north (uphill) of stand 1.
The adjacent tract to the east (now owned by Dick Whidden) was known locally as the “chestnut piece” due to the presence of an American chestnut forest growing on the dry, south-facing, excessively well-drained, dry soils. The dry white oak and hop hornbeam component of Meetinghouse Hill extend down into the steep, upper corners of both stand 1 and also stand 4.
Ecological / Wildlife:
Deer, turkey, black bear, coyote, fox, porcupine and fisher have all been seen and/or tracked on this portion of the property. This area of the tree farm is known to provide seasonal habitat for raptors including barred owl, saw-whet owl, red-tailed hawk and northern goshawk. We continue to identify and document wildlife habitat utilization by species.
| 
