Hiking in Durham years ago, I found an extension of College Woods. As I am rediscovering Durham, I went to go check it out.
Red Pines, naturally found on dry, rocky slopes, were once planted as a replacement for the Eastern White Pine. A fungal blight between 1930 – 1960 prompted plantations of Red Pine to crop up throughout the state (Wessels, 31).
The pine trees themselves are impressive: standing 50 – 60’ high, they stand as high or higher than the nearby Pine and Hemlocks. What more impressive, is they are so straight. Western sun struck by the grove and cut their colors in half, and it also covered the forest floor with light.
There’s a ton of recreation activity in this half of College Woods. I see people running, hiking, and biking regularly there. The Downeaster train runs nearby! Whether I capture the scene or it’s activity remains to be seen.
The afternoon crowd is pretty busy here. I wonder if it’s the same for the morning…
Chadd G Hippensteel 