Wachusett Mountain is home to an irreplaceable natural
resource feature that needs to be protected. I am talking about the Old Growth
Forest that surrounds the 2006 foot high summit. A universal definition does
not exist for an old growth forest because forests are so different around the
globe. In the northeastern United States most experts agree that old-growth
are those that:
- Are at least ten acres in size, which is large enough for them to be
self-sustaining.
- Contain trees that are greater than 50% of the maximum known age for a
particular species.
- Have not been cleared for agriculture or timber harvest.
The forest at Wachusett Mountain grows in a harsh and fragile environment.
The rocky soil on the steep slopes is thin and infertile. The trees have been
exposed to frequent ice storms and strong winds that have damaged their
branches and caused the trees to grow slowly. Because of the bad form of these
trees, they have no value as lumber. The steep slopes also make it difficult
to harvest the trees for timber.
Wachusett Mountain is the highest mountain east of the Conneticut River in
Massachusetts, and is the only area known to contain old-growth in this
region. There are over 100 acres on the mountain. Native Americans used the
slopes for hunting and considered the mountain sacred. Europeans, who first
described Wachusett Mountain in 1632 didn't begin clearing the slopes until
1734. By 1830, most of the land below the 1500-foot elevation had been cleared
for farming and timber. The areas of forest that were not disturbed remain as
old-growth today. The old-growth trees on Wachusett are between 150-350 years
depending on the species.
The best viewing of old-growth on the Midstate Trail is along the Old
Indian Trail inside the Wachusett Mountain State Reservation. All the
old-growth is within the reservation which is managed by the Massachusetts
Department of Enviromental Management. We have an obligation to understand and
protect the environment. The best way hikers can protect this vital natural
resource is to follow all posted rules and regulations, especially:
- Stay on marked trails.
- Do not disturb plants, soils, stones or structures.
- Leave nothing but footprints.
- Take nothing but memories and pictures.
This is a fragile and rare environment that deserves everyone's respect.
Leave No Trace means traveling and camping with care, deliberately
planning, and guiding one's actions so as not to harm the environment or
disturb others.
