K & P Flora - RED SPRUCE Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Small vitamin bottle, camoed.
We so enjoyed putting out the K & P Ticket and Fauna series, that we thought we would continue along the trail. This time, the theme is the FLORA. If you see any of the trees or flowers mentioned, please feel free to take pictures and post them at the appropriate cache – but please, NO PHOTOS OF EACH CACHE (sure, the log if you have to).
BIKING is possible for the whole trail. This trail is NOT recommended for thin tires! Puddles may need to be crossed after wet weather.
If you don’t see any flora, then you are caching way too fast and not seeing the trees for the forest! Enjoy the ride and enjoy the diverse plant life.
RED SPRUCE
The Red Spruce has seen a decline over the past 50 years and is now relatively rare in Ontario. It can be found in small, isolated stands in the Algonquin Highlands of eastern Ontario with its natural range extending into the Maritime provinces.
Individuals of this species can live for 400 years, attaining a height of up to 26 metres. Like the black spruce, this conifer has four sided needles attached to hairy twigs. However, the needles of the Red Spruce are yellowish-green and curved. Seeds are only produced after the tree reaches 30-40 years of age, with good seed crops occurring every three to eight years. Mature cones can be 3-5cm long with easily detached scales.
Red Spruce can provide important winter habitat for moose and deer, which require protection from deep snow during the winter. In addition, squirrels and seed-eating birds enjoy the seeds of the Red Spruce in the fall.
Did you know?
Red spruce wood is often used in the manufacturing of string instruments.
PARKING: One or two cars can park where the trail intersects roads, but pay attention to NO parking signs so as to not block entrances. A nice place to leave your car in Calabogie is at the end of the trail (N45 17.916 W76 43.033) which is at the local beach and Tourist Information spot. You may want a quick swim?
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)