Belt Woods
Encyclopedia
Belt Woods is a nature reserve
in Prince George's County, Maryland
, USA, containing the “South Woods”, a 43 acres (174,015 m²) woodland which constitutes one of the last stands of virgin
hardwood forest on the Atlantic coastal plain
. It is a mere 8 miles (12.9 km) east of Washington, DC. Many of its white oaks and tulip poplars are more than three feet in diameter and soar more than 100 feet (30.5 m) before branching. The “South Woods” were designated a National Natural Landmark
in 1974.
Belt Woods has been owned and protected by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources
since the 1980s. Some 110 acre (0.4451546 km²) at the site are designated a Natural Environment Area
(NEA) and another 515 acres (2.1 km²) are designated a Heritage Conservation Fund (HCF) site. Thus 625 acres (2.5 km²) are protected in total. Within this area, the Maryland General Assembly
has designated 610 acres (2.5 km²) — 109 acre (0.44110774 km²) within the NEA and 501 acres (2 km²) within the HCF — as a special Maryland Wildland
.
This event served as a wakeup call to conservationists and an 18 year legal battle ensued between them and the Episcopal Diocese of Washington
. In 1984, the state of Maryland, with partners, purchased 110 acre (0.4451546 km²) including the “South Woods”, designating them the Belt Woods Natural Environmental Area. Impending residential development necessitated the state’s purchase of an additional 515 acres (2.1 km²) in 1997 — known as the Belt Woods Heritage Conservation Fund site. The HCF site, which consists of the former “North” and “Central Woods” (now young forest and fields), buffers the old growth forest and forestalls further development. In all, some 625 acres (2.5 km²) are protected at the site, of which most (610 acres) were designated by the Maryland General Assembly in October 1997 as the Belt Woods Wildland. Access to Belt Woods is limited to scientific study.
ecoregion
. It consists of a mosaic of small fields and woodlands and is a critical nesting area for neotropical songbird
s. The density of birds breeding there is among the highest observed on the east coast. Unusually high densities of FIDS birds prevail. In 1989, the breeding bird census, which uses a territory mapping method, measured a density of more than 200 pairs/100 acres (40 ha) of FIDS, attributable largely to high densities of wood thrush
and red-eyed vireo
. Nine other species of FIDS birds regularly breed there, including the Kentucky warbler
.
. Old-growth characteristics include 200-year old trees of over 140 feet (45 m) in height. Forty-two species of trees were measured in the “South Woods” in 2001. Prominent understory trees include flowering dogwood
, spicebush, sweet haw and ironwood
. The herbaceous layer, which is exceptionally dense in springtime, includes Collinsonia
, Dioscorea
, and broad beechfern. The narrowleaf glade fern
and Wister’s coralroot
— both Maryland state threatened species — grow here.
Nature reserve
A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
in Prince George's County, Maryland
Prince George's County, Maryland
Prince George's County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland, immediately north, east, and south of Washington, DC. As of 2010, it has a population of 863,420 and is the wealthiest African-American majority county in the nation....
, USA, containing the “South Woods”, a 43 acres (174,015 m²) woodland which constitutes one of the last stands of virgin
Old growth forest
An old-growth forest is a forest that has attained great age , and thereby exhibits unique ecological features. An old growth forest has also usually reached a climax community...
hardwood forest on the Atlantic coastal plain
Atlantic Coastal Plain
The Atlantic coastal plain has both low elevation and low relief, but it is also a relatively flat landform extending from the New York Bight southward to a Georgia/Florida section of the Eastern Continental Divide, which demarcates the plain from the ACF River Basin in the Gulf Coastal Plain to...
. It is a mere 8 miles (12.9 km) east of Washington, DC. Many of its white oaks and tulip poplars are more than three feet in diameter and soar more than 100 feet (30.5 m) before branching. The “South Woods” were designated a National Natural Landmark
National Natural Landmark
The National Natural Landmark program recognizes and encourages the conservation of outstanding examples of the natural history of the United States. It is the only natural areas program of national scope that identifies and recognizes the best examples of biological and geological features in...
in 1974.
Belt Woods has been owned and protected by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is a government agency in the state of Maryland charged with maintaining natural resources such as the 66 state parks, public lands, state forests, state waterways, wildlife and recreation areas....
since the 1980s. Some 110 acre (0.4451546 km²) at the site are designated a Natural Environment Area
Natural Environment Area (Maryland)
A Natural Environment Area is a unit of the Maryland State Park Service of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. These public lands are generally or more in extent and are judged to constitute a “significant natural attraction or unique geological feature”...
(NEA) and another 515 acres (2.1 km²) are designated a Heritage Conservation Fund (HCF) site. Thus 625 acres (2.5 km²) are protected in total. Within this area, the Maryland General Assembly
Maryland General Assembly
The Maryland General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland. It is a bicameral body. The upper chamber, the Maryland State Senate, has 47 representatives and the lower chamber, the Maryland House of Delegates, has 141 representatives...
has designated 610 acres (2.5 km²) — 109 acre (0.44110774 km²) within the NEA and 501 acres (2 km²) within the HCF — as a special Maryland Wildland
Maryland Wildland
In 1971, the Maryland State Legislature passed the Wildlands Protection Act. Under this law, the legislature can protect certain publicly-owned areas from logging or other incursions, and thus preserve them for future generations...
.
History
Belt Woods is part of the former farm of semi-reclusive banker and gentleman farmer, Seton Belt (1870–1959). A bird breeding census first surveyed the tract in 1947; the density of Forest Interior Dwelling Species (FIDS) was then found to be 300 pairs/100 acres (1300 m² per pair). The oaks of the “North Woods”, an old-growth similar to the now-preserved “South Woods” tract, were all cut in 1981, despite the fact that Belt had stipulated in his will that the stand was never to be logged. Tom Horton, in his book Bay Country (1987), tells how this happened:The bank entrusted with administering Seton Belt’s estate, and the church to which he left his goods, found that the forest earned the highest accolades not just from naturalists and woodland songbirds. “VeneerWood veneerIn woodworking, veneer refers to thin slices of wood, usually thinner than 3 mm , that are typically glued onto core panels to produce flat panels such as doors, tops and panels for cabinets, parquet floors and parts of furniture. They are also used in marquetry...
quality”, eager buyers from the world’s leading timber concerns adjudged the massive, knot-free, straight trunks of the oaks. Debarked, steamed until soft, then sliced and peeled on huge machines into sheets just 1/4-inch thick, just a few of the Beltwoods giants would decorate acres of executive conference-room walls in warm wood tones. The church said it needed the money over and above the $10 million that old Belt had left it to build an urban home for the elderly. With the bank, it broke the will in court, and half the mighty Beltwoods fell to the chainsaw….The forester hired by the bank explained to me his satisfaction when the veneer deal went through. From the standpoint of annual, new cellulose production, he said, the old oaks were well into the area of diminishing returns, even though they might live another century or two. “The only thing left for that particular stand of trees to do was to die and fall over”, he said
This event served as a wakeup call to conservationists and an 18 year legal battle ensued between them and the Episcopal Diocese of Washington
Episcopal Diocese of Washington
The Episcopal Diocese of Washington is the ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Episcopal Bishop of Washington in the United States. The territory comprises the District of Columbia and the Maryland counties of Charles, St. Mary's, Prince George's and Montgomery...
. In 1984, the state of Maryland, with partners, purchased 110 acre (0.4451546 km²) including the “South Woods”, designating them the Belt Woods Natural Environmental Area. Impending residential development necessitated the state’s purchase of an additional 515 acres (2.1 km²) in 1997 — known as the Belt Woods Heritage Conservation Fund site. The HCF site, which consists of the former “North” and “Central Woods” (now young forest and fields), buffers the old growth forest and forestalls further development. In all, some 625 acres (2.5 km²) are protected at the site, of which most (610 acres) were designated by the Maryland General Assembly in October 1997 as the Belt Woods Wildland. Access to Belt Woods is limited to scientific study.
Songbirds
Belt Woods lies within the Southeastern mixed forestsSoutheastern mixed forests
The Southeastern mixed forests are a temperate coniferous forests ecoregion of the United States.-Setting:This ecoregion covers the Piedmont of the eastern United States, stretching in a broad arc from Maryland southwest to Mississippi. It is distinguished from neighboring ecoregions by elevation...
ecoregion
Ecoregion
An ecoregion , sometimes called a bioregion, is an ecologically and geographically defined area that is smaller than an ecozone and larger than an ecosystem. Ecoregions cover relatively large areas of land or water, and contain characteristic, geographically distinct assemblages of natural...
. It consists of a mosaic of small fields and woodlands and is a critical nesting area for neotropical songbird
Songbird
A songbird is a bird belonging to the suborder Passeri of the perching birds . Another name that is sometimes seen as scientific or vernacular name is Oscines, from Latin oscen, "a songbird"...
s. The density of birds breeding there is among the highest observed on the east coast. Unusually high densities of FIDS birds prevail. In 1989, the breeding bird census, which uses a territory mapping method, measured a density of more than 200 pairs/100 acres (40 ha) of FIDS, attributable largely to high densities of wood thrush
Wood Thrush
The Wood Thrush, Hylocichla mustelina, is a North American passerine bird. It is closely related to other thrushes such as the American Robin and is widely distributed across North America, wintering in Central America and southern Mexico...
and red-eyed vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
The Red-eyed Vireo, Vireo olivaceus, is a small American songbird, 13–14 cm in length. It is somewhat warbler-like but not closely related to the New World warblers...
. Nine other species of FIDS birds regularly breed there, including the Kentucky warbler
Kentucky Warbler
The Kentucky Warbler, Oporornis formosus, is a small species of New World warbler. The Kentucky Warbler, like all members of the genus Oporornis, is a sluggish and heavy warbler with a short tail, preferring to spend most of its time on or near the ground, except when singing.Adult Kentucky...
.
Flora
The canopy of the mesic upland hardwood forest at Belt Woods is dominated by tulip poplar and white oakWhite oak
Quercus alba, the white oak, is one of the pre-eminent hardwoods of eastern North America. It is a long-lived oak of the Fagaceae family, native to eastern North America and found from southern Quebec west to eastern Minnesota and south to northern Florida and eastern Texas. Specimens have been...
. Old-growth characteristics include 200-year old trees of over 140 feet (45 m) in height. Forty-two species of trees were measured in the “South Woods” in 2001. Prominent understory trees include flowering dogwood
Flowering Dogwood
Cornus florida is a species of dogwood native to eastern North America, from southern Maine west to southern Ontario, Illinois, and eastern Kansas, and south to northern Florida and eastern Texas, with a disjunct population in Nuevo León and Veracruz in eastern Mexico.-Classification:The flowering...
, spicebush, sweet haw and ironwood
Ironwood
Ironwood is a common name for a large number of woods that have a reputation for hardness. Usage of the name may include the tree that yields this wood...
. The herbaceous layer, which is exceptionally dense in springtime, includes Collinsonia
Collinsonia
Collinsonia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae. It is endemic to eastern North America. It was named for the English botanist Peter Collinson by Linnaeus in Species Plantarum in 1753. It is in the tribe Elscholtzieae, a small tribe of only 5 genera...
, Dioscorea
Dioscorea
Dioscorea is a genus of over 600 species of flowering plants in the family Dioscoreaceae, native throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. The vast majority of the species are tropical, with only a few species extending into temperate climates...
, and broad beechfern. The narrowleaf glade fern
Diplazium pycnocarpon
-Description:Diplazium pycnocarpon ' is a tall slender-leaved fern growing as individuals with 5 to 6 leaves. The plant spreads by creeping underground stems allowing a small colony to develop over time. The leaf blade is oblong-lanceolate and once-pinnate, unlike the closely related Athyrium...
and Wister’s coralroot
Corallorhiza wisteriana
Spring coralroot — also called Arousing coralroot — is a species of coralroot orchid.-External links:*...
— both Maryland state threatened species — grow here.
See also
- List of National Natural Landmarks in Maryland
- Old-growth forest
- List of old growth forests
- Beltwood HouseBeltwood HouseBeltwood House is a Grade II listed building within the Dulwich Wood Conservation Area in south London, England. The large three-storey mansion has fifty rooms and stands in about 3.05 acres of wooded grounds, with gatekeeper's lodge, mews courtyard cottages, stables and a stable apartment, a...