Sumac, Tall Pines

Sumac, Tall Pines Preserve

Tall Pines Preserve in Gloucester County, New Jersey is a beautiful 110 acre state park. Once a manicured golf course the park has been restored into a vibrant nature preserve. Walking along the old golf cart paths it's almost impossible to visualize the park as purposely landscaped. 

A few years ago my leg was severely broken and it would be several months before I could put any weight on the leg and then I spent several more months walking with a brace. I wanted to  get out of the house and into nature and my husband thought some of the trails at Tall Pines would be safe for me to traverse.  My memories of that first visit revolve around me feeling a sense of independence and accomplishment, rather than observing the landscape.  However,  several months later my son started school not far from the park. Twice a week, no matter the weather I walk the approximately 2.5 mile loop.

As you stroll the wetlands and grasslands of the park sumac abounds. In the autumn and winter the bright red drupes inundated the landscape. Year round this native plant is a food source for a variety of birds, including blue jays, insects such as the sumac beetle, and mammals like mice. Not only is the upper canopy important when the leaves drop and develop mulch, a butterfly called the red-band hairstreak will lay her eggs on the underside of the discarded leaves. Newly hatched caterpillars will feast on the fallen leaves.  Small mammals and reptiles such as marbled salamanders will use the under story for cover. 

Walking around Tall Pines I thought of the contrast between the park as wildspace and manicured.  I considered the various species being supported by this one native species and the vibrancy of life the sumac brings to the area. 

Species included in this image are:

Birds

Bluejay 

Mammals 

Field Mice

Insects

Grasshoppers 

Sumac beetle

Bees

Wasp

Ladybug

Spider 

Cross orb weaver

Butterfly and Moths

Spotted lanternfly

Io moth

Red-band hairstreak 

Monarch Butterfly 

Reptile

Marbled Salamander

Eastern Garter Snake

Sumac at Tall Pines Preserve