is 50 acres of old-growth or first growth forest located at the heart of the Garden's 250 acre National Historic Landmark Landscape. Originally known as the Hemlock Grove for its most prevalent species, Tsuga canadensis (Canadian hemlock) at the turn of the 20th century, the Forest is the reason why the Garden was established on its current site in 1895. The Forest today is an oasis with an overstory canopy of oaks, hickories, maples, tuliptrees, and sweetgums; midstory layer of spicebush, viburnums, and witchhazels; understory layer of native wildflowers and spring ephemerals such as white wood aster, Solomon's seal, false Solomon's seal, trout lily, and Canada mayflower. The Forest is home to many living things including greathorned owls, fox, salamanders, and snakes. As for insects we are still learning more about their diversity within the Forest. What we do know is that the Common True Katydid is living here and is prevalent among the trees that are close to the Bronx River.Tomorrow night we plan to explore all areas of the Garden including the Forest and 50 Gardens and Collections that make the 250 acre site. Stay tuned to learn more about the Forest, the Garden, the crickets and katydids that live here.
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