The Mighty Quercus Mystery Cache

In the beech family (Fagaceae), oaks are classified in the genus Quercus.  There are dozens of oak species found in North America, with many native to our Pennsylvania forests.  Three of these species, the White Oak (Q. alba), Red Oak (Q. rubra), and Black Oak (Q. velutina) are dominant species in many local forests, and are often found growing in close vicinity to one another.  With some basic information and good observation skills, these three species can easily be distinguished from one another.

To find the final coordinates for this cache, you must use your dendrology skills to identify a black, red, and white oak.  Once you are able to identify each, you will be quizzed on the identity of a fourth tree. 

Oaks are important dominant forest species and characteristic of a mature, stable forest.  Oak trees can live for several hundred years.  Their acorns provide food for many forest creatures, including squirrels, deer, and turkeys.  Oaks are also known for their dense, hard wood that is commonly used for furniture and flooring.  Barrels made from oak are popular for ageing whiskey, wine, and other spirits.  Prior to the industrial revolution, oaks were used to tan leather due to the high tannin content in their bark.  Traditional tanners still use oak for this purpose.

This cache is located in a unique tract of forest called Neville’s Woods, located between the Panhandle Trail and Hilltop Road in Collier Township.  Trails to Neville’s Woods can be accessed via the Rennerdale Parking lot (end of Sunnyside Drive), or via a small parking lot on Hilltop Road.  If parking at Rennerdale, you can enter the woods via a footbridge across the Panhandle Trail from the parking lot.  Alternatively, you can also turn right onto the Trail from the parking lot, walk just beyond the first bridge, and enter the woods via the first trail on your left after the bridge.  Regardless of your choice, you will encounter hills!  All the trails are well worn ATV and foot trails, and little bushwhacking is required to find the trees or the final.    

Now, for some dendrology skills!  The waypoints will guide you to three trees, a red, white, and black oak.  All three trees are in the same area, use the clue to make sure you found the right tree.  You will then proceed to a fourth “quiz” tree and use your skills to determine its identity.  The best way to identify each species is by its bark, especially when there are no leaves on the trees.  Because all three species are found in the same area, assuming the leaves and acorns on the ground are from the nearest tree usually isn’t effective!  Some of the trees are fairly close to each other, so make sure you use the hint and information included in the waypoint list.  If you wish to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of each species before setting out for the cache, there are many excellent dendrology resources available on the web, including the Virginia Tech Dendrology Database at http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/factsheets.cfm.

Black oaks are distinguished by their thick, dark bark.  The bark is dense and corky, giving the black oak a grand appearance as a dominant forest species.  If you scrape away a little of the bark with a small pocket knife, the resulting pulp will be a bright orange color due to the high level of tannins in the bark.  Black oak leaves are distinguished by pointed lobes that end in a bristle tip.  Acorns are small and squat, with the acorn top covering almost half the acorn.  The acorn top is covered with many scales, which appear like overlapping shingles.

The bark of the red oak is grayer in color than the black oak and not as corky in appearance.  Smooth, vertical ridges appear on the bark of mature trees, giving it an appearance as if someone skied down the tree trunk.  Leaves of the red oak are similar to the black, with pointed lobes ending in a bristle tip.  Red oak acorns are much larger than the black oak, with the acorn cap sitting atop the acorn instead of covering it halfway.  The scales on the red acorn cap also overlap like shingles, but are not as large with smoother margins.

White oaks have a distinctive whitish bark that tends to be flaky, especially farther up the trunk of the tree.  Of the three species, the white oak has the lightest bark.  Leaves are also easily distinguished from the black and red oak, as the lobes are smooth and rounded, without a bristle tip.  Acorns are slightly skinny and range in size between those of the black and red oak.  Acorn caps sit on the top of the acorn, but scales are reduced and appear more like small pinheads instead of overlapping scales, giving the acorn top a warty appearance.

Final Coordinates:

N 40.23.5AB

W 080.08.7CD

FTF prize is my Dendro71 Pathtag and FTF Geojewels.  Second to find is a Pathtag Club Pathtag.  Additional contents are a variety of geoswag.  Please trade fairly!