“Intolerable upon man as well as beast . . .” --1788

The ditch in front of you was dug to control mosquitos. A bog (a type of wetland) once covered much of the Pinelands Trail. This ditch and others drained the water from the bog to stop mosquitos from breeding here. Human intervention also caused at least two other changes—drier conditions not only reduced the number of mosquitoes, but also allowed the maritime forest to replace the bog. You will see the last remnants of the bog at Stop 7.

From Sea to Soil

Notice how sandy the soil is. Most plants cannot survive in sandy soil, but maritime forest plants thrive in extremely sandy conditions. Over time, leaves from plants die and decay, forming a less-sandy humus layer. Gradually improving soil conditions allow a larger variety of plants to grow. Compare the soil here to the soil at stop 6, which is closer to the coast.

The Loblolly Pine: A True Survivor

The loblolly pine is a common species of tree in this forest. This sturdy tree has developed many ways to survive in the harsh coastal environment. Notice that the lower branches of the loblolly extend out from the bottom of the trunk, keeping most of the tree below the salt-laden winds.

The sand around the trees is still shifting. Sand has moved under the lower branches and around the base of the tree. Unlike most trees, the loblolly can survive even when their bases are completely buried.

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