Center of the Triangle Mystery Cache

1. The first line segment runs from N39 39.09030 W077 27.91300 to N39 20.41580 W077 37.20799.
2. The Second line segment runs from N39 24.03217 W077 37.20799 to N39 24.03217 W076 56.41801.
3. The final line segment runs from N39 19.81307 W077 21.31801 to N39 39.69303 W077 31.21300

You can check your answers for this puzzle on Geochecker.com.

I hope you, your family, and friends find this to be both an educational and enjoyable hunt. Below I have provided a copy of the trail guide for this nature walk, enhanced with links to the Forest Biology and Dendrology Educational site at Virginia Tech. These links will provide you with additional information about the different species of trees you will encounter on your journey, and help you to better identify the species referenced at each stop.

All content below this point, except for the links, is taken from the trail guide provided at the trailhead of “The Lost Chestnut Trail” in Gambrill State Park, and is provided for your use as you hike this trail.

“The Lost Chestnut Trail” (White Blaze)
A self-guided nature walk, exploring the lifecycle of an Appalachian Forest as it changes over time.

Welcome to Gambrill State Park, the trail that you are about to embark on will allow you to travel through time, looking at the changes of a hardwood forest over 80 years. This area was once dominated by American Chestnut trees. However, in 1917 a foreign tree species, Chinese Chestnut, was introduced to the Eastern United States by way of New York City. The Chinese Chestnut carried a blight that when mixed with the American species, caused stunting and eventual death to the trees. What remains today? Unfortunately, the Chestnut is now only found in its stunted form, and has been grown over by competing hardwood trees. However, the process has succeeded over time to give us the beautiful woods we see before us today.

Please follow the trail to each numbered post to embark on your journey through a woodland that has evolved over time.

1. “Stunted or Dwarfed” Chestnut Seedlings Castanea dentate
These are the remains of the American Chestnut species. They will only grow from 15 to 30 feet tall, usually from old stumps of the original trees. The bark of the larger sprouts will eventually split open revealing the blight fungus within its trunk.

http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/cdentata.htm

2. Chestnut Oak Quercus prinus
The current ruler of the forest, this is a typical mountain oak tree found across the higher elevations. They grow well on steep and mild slopes and in drier soil. By achieving heights of up to 80 feet they “dominate” the upper leaf canopy, shading out competing trees growing underneath.

http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/qprinus.htm

3. Pitch Pine Pinus rigida
The dead pine before you is a good example of competition between the Pines and the Oaks. These trees were more common during the time of the American Chestnut, but have died out due to heavy competition with the Oaks for light. Pine trees generally prefer a poor sandy soil and ample sunlight to survive.

http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/prigida.htm

4. Highbush Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum
This tiny shrub is part of the ground cover of the forest (a layer of tree seedlings, flowers, grasses, mosses and other plants found on the forest floor). The bush here gives off a blue fruit (berry) around mid-June, which will be a prime treat for many birds and maybe even a bear.

http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/Syllabus2/vcorymbosum.htm

5. Black Gum or Tupelo Nyssa sylvatica
This native gum tree is found at higher elevations and in dryer soils then its cousin the Sweet Gum. This is one of the common understory trees found competing for sunlight just below the oak canopy. Other examples of understory trees you’ll find here in this forest are Red Maple, Sassafras, and Hickory.

http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/nsylvatica.htm

6. Examples of an Upper Tree Canopy
Look directly above and you will see several dominant oak trees that make up the forest canopy. Examples of these trees are the Chestnuts and Red Oaks. The canopy is the layer of tree branches and leaves that tower over the lower shrubs and vegetation. These giants of the forest roof absorb most of the available sunlight. The trees of the understory such as: Red Maple and Blackgum are more tolerable of shady conditions. There is a constant competition for light among these trees, however the oaks usually come out the winner of the battle.

http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/qrubra.htm

As you cross over the Green Trail, and on to post #7, notice the great variety of trees that you begin to see. You are now entering a true “Mixed Hardwood Forest”.

7. Rock Formation-Slate and Quartzite Mix
On this rock we can see the first signs of plant life in a forest. Mosses and Lichens will grow where most other plants cannot. You can find them on rocks and trees as well as in the ground cover.

8. Ferns
Ferns also represent an early stage in the growth of a forest. Ferns will grow in disturbed soil and provide a food source for wildlife.
Before you are just two examples of over thousand species of ferns.
To the left of the downed tree are Christmas Ferns Polystickhum acrostichoides and to the right you will notice Cinnamon Ferns Osmunda cinnamonea.

9. Tree Stump “Death of the Forest”
Before you are the remains of a Chestnut Oak tree that has died due to an infestation of Gypsy Moth. Directly behind you, you will see the fallen tree and its branches. Deaths of the trees in this area are not as common as when the blight occurred. However the occasional insect infestation such as that of the Gypsy Moth in the mid 1980’s is an example of a modern cause of mortality. Gypsy Moth larvae attach the leaves and foliage of Oak trees. As a result the trees cannot absorb nutrients and sunlight on which they depend on for survival.

10.Shag Bark Hickory Carya ovata
This tree is a good example of an understory species that competes very well with the taller oaks around it. This particular tree is thriving due to an opening in the forest canopy, perhaps due to old Gypsy Moth damage. They are generally found in better soil conditions. This is one of four types of Hickory trees found in the park.

http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/covata.htm

11. Tulip Poplar Liriodendron tulipfera
The Poplar tree you see before you is a common forest tree of the Appalachians. Notice that the tree’s trunk is straight with minimal branching, this growth pattern allows it to grow up through the canopy quickly. Similar to the Hickory this tree is found on lower sloops and in rich soil conditions. The presence of these trees is a good indicator that we are now in a true “Mixed Hardwood Forest”.

http://www.fw.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/ltulipifera.htm

12.Black Oak Quercus velutina
Black Oaks though not as common as the Chestnut Oak still dominate a large part of the upper leaf canopy. Black Oaks can be found throughout the park in various soil conditions and at different elevations as well. Notice the difference in the barks of the many different Oaks. The Black Oak has a smooth , dark bark as opposed to the rough rigid bark of the Chestnut Oak.

http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/qvelutina.htm

13. Mountain Laurel Kalmia latifolia
Mountain Laurel is one of the more common examples of an understory shrub. It is commonly found at higher elevations on steep hillsides and in rocky areas. Due to its tolerance to poor sandy soil, this shrub will grow where others may not. You will note this shrub looks similar to a Rhododendron and could be easily confused, however the leaves of the Laurel are much smaller and its distinguishing squared shape flower usually blooms pinkish white in early June.

http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/klatifolia.htm

14. White Oak Quercus alba
One more example of the many species of Oaks, which are found in the park. This tree although not common to mountainous areas can be found at lower elevations on more level slopes. Once again notice the differences in the bark from that of other Oaks. The White Oak has a grayish white and scaly bark. The White Oak in the official State Tree of Maryland.

http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/qalba.htm

We hope that you have enjoyed your forest journey through time, during which you were able to witness the constant changes a forest goes through over the years. What was once an area dominated by the American Chestnut has evolved over a period of years into the “Mixed Hardwood Forest” you have seen during your journey and will find throughout Gambrill State Park.