Impressive Red Maple, labeled, along trail in the Adam’s Tract.
By Ken Moore
Many locals already enjoy it, and I have a sense they would like to keep it a secret. The 27-acre Adam’s Tract, which runs along Bolin Creek, is an in-town preserve of big trees, some which take two or more people to hug.
The main entrance is at the lower end of Wilson Park on Williams Street.
A few big trees along the playground edge have nice identification labels. Thanks to the Friends of Bolin Creek and the Town of Carrboro being successful in a jointly submitted grant application to the NC Department of Parks and Recreation’s Adopt a Trail program, there are interpretive signs at the trailhead and big trees are labeled throughout the Adam’s Tract nature preserve.
Carrboro resident Randy Dodd coordinated this effort with assistance from too many others to mention, although residents Dave Otto, Deborah Rigdon and Matt Longnecker deserve accolades for their help with describing the history. Paul Hellwig, Carrboro Public Works Landscape and Grounds supervisor, and his crew contributed many hours in signage installation. I enjoyed assisting with locating and identifying specific trees. If any of you tree experts question any identification, hold me responsible and don’t hesitate to let me know so that appropriate corrections can be made. I remain a student of nature and learn from new observations with every walk in the Adam’s Tract. I’m still trying to locate that Shagbark Hickory, Carya ovata, so obvious during the winter and now lost within the dense forest canopy. One of you will find it for certain!
We are fortunate that in 1950, Dr. J. Edison Adams, beloved UNC professor of botany, purchased and improved an old homestead as a residence for his family. Signage at the Wilson Park trailhead provides interesting details of the history of the homestead and appreciation to the Adam’s family for their wisdom and efforts to have the land preserved.
The southern portion of the existing forest was in cultivation well into the 20th century. Former fields are now a mature pine forest with numerous giant specimens of Loblolly Pine, Pinus taeda. Trails through the northern portion reveal a contrasting older deciduous forest of oaks, hickories and beech on steep slopes leading down to Bolin Creek. At least three species of hickories, Carya spp., six species of oaks, Quercus spp., and numerous American Beech, Fagus grandifolia, (see if you can find all the labeled trees) characterize the mature forest that contains a great diversity of other tree species, shrubs and numerous wildflowers, the latter mostly evident in the Spring.
The Carrboro Public Works Landscape and Grounds Division has taken on the added responsibility of developing and maintaining the Adam’s Tract as a nature preserve with energy and enthusiasm. The original trails were cleared of fallen trees and overhanging brush; rail fencing was installed to close badly eroded trails; new trails have been cleared, including a connector path to the Pacifica Community; erosion control bars were installed on the new downhill trail as a cooperative Eagle Scout project; trail marking posts have been installed and a trail map and directional signage are “in the works.â€
On Earth Day this past April, volunteers of The Friends of Bolin Creek and EPA Human Services Division initiated an exotic invasive plant eradication program for portions of the southern area. If you are willing to lend your energy to this worthwhile environmental effort, contact Dave Otto at davidaotto@earthlink.net or Paul Hellwig at Carrboro Public Works to be apprised of future volunteer workdays.
Most importantly, get yourself out there to enjoy the trails of the Adam’s Tract. Whether bird watching, exercise walking, jogging or simply walking your dog (thanks for keeping them leashed), pause to be appreciative that dedicated Town staff and citizen volunteers are continuing the Adam’s family stewardship so that we all can benefit from this big tree preserve in our midst. And while there, hug a tree and remember, some of those trees are mighty big, so you may need a friend or two.
Appreciation to Randy Dodd, Dave Otto, Deborah Rigdon and Paul Hellwig for assistance with this week’s Flora.
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