Fox State Forest, Black Gum Swamp
Description: Black gum (Nyssa sylvatica) trees, also called black tupelo, are uncommon in New Hampshire, where they are at the northern edge of their North American range. They are the oldest known living hardwoods, and are the oldest trees of any kind in New England (nearly 700 years old in some NH swamps). Black gum swamps are a rare wetland type in New England. These natural communities, known as black gum - red maple swamps, contain the highest concentration of black gum trees in the region. Several black gums can be observed from the Swamp Trail at Fox State Forest, where some of the trees exceed 500 years old.
Directions: On Rte. 9/202, take the exit for Hillsborough and Fox State Forest. From the lights in the center of Hillsborough, take Center Road northwest about 2 miles to the parking lot on the right at the headquarters of the Fox State Forest Research Station. The trailhead is just across the street. The Ridge Trail, which is the main footpath around the forest, is marked with red blazes on a white background.
Landowner: State of New Hampshire - Division of Forests and Lands
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A variety of amphibians make use of the moist Sphagnum moss
carpeting the floor of the swamp (photo by Ben Kimball)
