Tree copses form an interesting feature of The Bower meadow, ringing the meadow itself.
The original farmers cleared forest to create a six acre hay field and had the formidable task of removing rocks in abundance from the cleared area. Rocks can be seen tumbled along the edge of the meadow and gathered into significant piles throughout the meadow itself. Trees self-planted into these stone piles creating copses of trees dotting the meadow. Each has its own set of native trees within. We have altered two copses to enhance access. One has been covered with soil and native plants to create a “bower”. The southernmost copse at the highest point in the clearing is accessible via a boulder “bridge” that provides an elevated view down and across meadow.
Dogwood (Cornus florida)
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)
Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)
Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides)
Marginal Wood Fern (Dryopteris margenalis)
Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides)
Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
Red oak (Quercus rubra),
Spotted Dead Nettle (Lamium maculateum)
White oak (Quercus alba)
Sweet birch (Betula lenta.)
Mulberry (Morus spp)
Spotted Beebalm (Mondard punctata)
Beardtongue (Penstemon)
White Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima)
bower (noun) 1. a pleasant shady place; 2. a retreat or sanctuary