Merrimack River Conservation Area: Floodplain Forest
Description: Several types of floodplain forest natural communities may be seen along the trail system below the Forest Society's headquarters, including one near the river's edge that is dominated by tall silver maples leaning over the river (this is a portion of an exemplary silver maple - false nettle - sensitive fern floodplain forest that occurs in patches along the banks of this stretch of the river). Other natural communities found here include a hardwood terrace forest dominated by sugar maples, oaks, and hickories, as well as marshes, ponds, and streams.
Important Note (9/19/06): The portion of this trail between the parking area and the footbridge over Mill Creek is now permanantly closed to the public. Both the stairs from the Conservation Center and the bridge over Mill Brook have been removed. An alternate way to reach the trails is to park in the same lot and walk around to the west (map is posted on site).
Images (hold mouse over image for caption)
![rich terrace forest and [former] bridge over Mill Brook (photo by Ben Kimball for the NH Natural Heritage Bureau)](http://www.nhdfl.org/library/images/photos/DSC_0324.jpg)
a portion of the partially-flooded Marrimack River floodplain in May (photo by Ben Kimball)
silver maple floodplain forest along the Merrimack River in Concord (photo by Ben Kimball)
Site Guide
link: www.spnhf.org/