HIGHWAY 28 WOODS NATURE AREA (H28WNA)
Introduction:
The Highway 28 Woods NA (area: 4 ha), is located (Figure H28WNA-1) along the west side of
Highway 28 and south of the hydro transmission corridor, to the north of the Lady Eaton Drumlin.
Access is from Highway 28, particularly at the southwestern edge of the woods, where the engineered
slope from the road is most gradual.
Topography and Soils:
The woods occupy a steep, easterly-facing slope and upland plateau, and exhibit a pit and
mound micro-topography. Soils belong to the Otonabee Series which have a medium texture, are
moderately stony and have good to excessive drainage.
Hydrology:
No springs or streams are evident in this Nature Area.
Vegetation:
A mature deciduous forest community occupies the southern two-thirds of this area (Fig.H28WNA-2).
This is one of the finest examples of mature, upland, deciduous forest on the campus, displaying,
to some degree, the principle characteristics of old-growth: mature trees, a variable age structure
of trees, gaps in the canopy, standing and fallen dead wood, and a pit and mound micro-topography.
The canopy is dominated by large and mid-sized sugar maple trees with lesser associations
of mature white ash and ironwood. A small stand of American beech in the southeastern corner
contains some of the largest beech trees to be found on campus. The herb layer is fairly diverse.
In late summer it is dominated by enchanter’s nightshade, poison ivy, side-flowered aster and
zig-zag goldenrod. In spring may be found flowering herbaceous species, such as trillium, liverleaf,
blue cohosh, which are characteristic of this type of deciduous forest.
The deciduous canopy in the northern third of this area illustrates an earlier successional stage,
being composed of a mix of mature, even-aged trembling aspen and small white ash and sugar
maple trees. Less common species such as black cherry, bitternut hickory and butternut are also
present.
Wildlife:
The mature canopy and availability of deadfalls and snags in the sugar maple community offer
good habitat for wildlife. The four Nature Areas, H28WNA, Lady Eaton Drumlin NA, Total Loss
Farm NA and the Lock 22 NA, in the northern part of the campus and on the west bank of the
Otonabee River, while being separated from one another by Highway 28 and Woodland Drive,
comprise essentially contiguous habitats for birds and mammals.
Historical Features:
A feature of note in this area are scars on sugar maple trees indicating tapping in the past for
maple syrup production. It appears that this Nature Area was once part of a farm woodlot and
was selectively logged.
Significant Features:
The southern part of this woods is one of the oldest and least disturbed deciduous forest communities
on campus. The community supports a number of large sugar maple and American beech
trees which are estimated to be over 100 years old.
Land Use:
Teaching and Research
This Nature Area is used for fieldwork by ecology and forest management classes. The woods are
occasionally visited by individuals or small groups for nature walks.
Adjacent Land Use:
The south and west boundaries are abut residential backyards. The east boundary is Highway 28
(29) and on the other side of this highway is the LEDNA. Beyond northern boundary is an electrical
transmission (hydro) corridor.
Recreational Use
Because of the location of this Nature Area on the west side of Highway 28 it does not receive
many visitors except that because the western edge of the forest abuts the backyards of residences
in the University Heights subdivision it appears that residents walk in the woods.
Ecological Integrity:
There is concern that:
• European buckthorn may be invading the woodlot edge.
• the western property boundary between Trent land and residential yards is not appropriately
signed. Some living sugar maple trees in the past, apparently in the Nature Area, have
been felled and the wood removed.
Figure H28WNA-1: Contour Map of the Highway 28 Woods Nature Area, Symons Campus, Trent
University, Peterborough, Ontario.
Figure H28WNA-2: Vegetation Types in the Highway 28 Woods Nature Area, Symons Campus, Trent
University, Peterborough, Ontario.
Figure H28WNA-3: Vegetation Communities in the Highway 28 Woods Nature Area, Symons
Campus, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario.