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Weekly Native Species Highlight By GAFW Intern --

Weekly Native Species Highlight
By GAFW Intern -- Makayla Folds
Bull Mountain
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
Rhododendron

Even though most plant species in the mountains of North Georgia are still in winter slumber protecting themselves from the cold, there are some species that do not mind the cold. Rhododendron definitely does not mind the cold. On the day this photo was taken the low temperature was recorded in the 30s. This fact tells us that Rhododendron is an evergreen species. Rhododendrons are capable of surviving "drought-like" conditions which are experienced in the winter by frozen water instead of a lack of water. The leaves on the mountainside might look sad and droopy but this is the exact way the plant protects itself from the cold. During cold months like January, Sun radiation is at some of its highest levels during the year. These levels can be damaging to an understory shade-tolerant species like Rhododendron. Dropping and curling their leaves is the best way to reduce their leaf surface area and prevent "leaf sunburn." As the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest still deals with the occasional light snow, there are still lovely ever-green species that bring color to the forest year around.

https://laurelwoodarboretum.org/2018/01/28/elaine-feb-2018/

Invasive Species Highlight By Makayla Folds -- GA

Invasive Species Highlight
By Makayla Folds -- GAFW Intern
Frank Gross Campground
Chattahoochee National Forest

Although the protection of native species is a major part of the Georgia ForestWatch mission, GAFW also works to identify and remove invasive species in our national forests. One invasive plant that can heavily impact our forests is autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata). This shrub, with silvery under-leaves and bright red berries, causes trouble by the sheer speed at which it grows and spreads. If it is not kept under control, autumn olive can completely take over a section of disturbed forest within two years. During this time, they not only grow out, but up as well. Quickly, they become shrubs the size of small trees instead of bushes. The effects of autumn olive can be seen ecologically and economically. Ecologically, other native shrubs and young trees are choked out from lack of resources, and economically it can be a long difficult process to successfully remove established populations. This is where Georgia ForestWatch and wonderful volunteers come in. GAFW removed a section of autumn olive at Frank Gross Campground in November, 2022 under a service agreement with the Blue Ridge District. More invasive species still need to be removed and more volunteers are needed. This is a great way to fill needed service hours, gain field experience, or just spend an afternoon outdoors. Returning and future volunteers can sign up at GAFW.ORG/get-involved to keep up to date on future invasive species workdays and other events.

Native Species Highlight By -- Makayla Folds, GAFW

Native Species Highlight
By -- Makayla Folds, GAFW Intern
American chestnut
Castanea dentata
Lumpkin County, Chattahoochee National Forest

The American chestnut is an exceptional native species that once played a huge part in the ecosystem of the Appalachian Mountains but now is functionally extinct; meaning most young American chestnut will only reach 8-10 years old before being wiped out again by a blight. This is usually before they can produce flowers and reproduce. Chestnut blight is a canker disease caused by a fungus called Cryphonectria parasitica and is spread by the wind. Before the 1920's, The American Chestnut provided excellent lumber, nutritious chestnuts for domestic and wild animals, and high-quality soil from the decomposing leaves. Unfortunately, there was nothing people could do to stop the blight from spreading via wind. An interesting fact about chestnut blight is how it cannot survive underground with competing soil microorganisms. This is why we can still find chestnut tree saplings! The roots of mature trees continue to grow and produce new growth until all the stored energy is depleted. The research continues, looking for ways to bring back the American chestnut to Appalachia. For more information or ways to help, visit the American Chestnut Society website at ACF.ORG and check out the comprehensive book written by Donald Davis called the American Chestnut: an environmental history.

Native Species Highlight By -- Makayla Folds, GAFW

Native Species Highlight
By -- Makayla Folds, GAFW Intern
Red Maple
Acer rubrum
Jake Mountain
Chattahoochee National Forest

The color orange is undoubtedly one of the most popular fall colors. The red maple will often turn a bright orange hue before turning red. The maple species is one of the most common trees in the eastern deciduous forest of the Appalachian mountains. Red maples grow between 60 and 90 feet with the Georgia Champion being 96 feet tall. As a generalist species, it can grow just about anywhere. The root system adapts to the environment that it grows in allowing the use of multiple different resources. Like all trees, the red maple has a preferred soil and environment and thrives in deep, moist, and acidic soil.

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