Educational State Forest

The FOREST at a glance-

Holmes Educational State ForestRoute 4, Box 308Hendersonville, N.C. 28739

Phone: (828) 692-0100

Forest Season

Mid-Marchto

The Friday before Thanksgiving(Closed Mondays)

Holmes

CampingWalk-in Tent Camp SitesReservations Needed

Picnic Facilities

Ranger-Conducted ProgramsCall the Office for information.

Asheville

Brevard

64

64

25

74

276

276

26

40

40

240

280

191

X

Holmes Educational

State Forest

Old CCC Road

Duponte Road

Blu

eR

idge Parkway

Crab Creek Rd.SR 1528

Kanuga RoadSR 1127

Penrose

Hendersonville

Welcome to Holmes Educational State Forest, aunique outdoors experience! Holmes is locatedin the Great Smokey Mountains, with ruggedterrain, numerous rock outcroppings, and scenicvistas, it also offers a rich mixture of mountainhardwoods, rhododendron, flame azaleas, and avariety of wildflowers. These features areaccessible by a series of well-marked trails whichare accented by exhibits and displays depictingthe ecology of the managed forest.

North Carolina's six Educational State Forests havebeen developed as living environmental educationcenters. These managed forests are designed topromote better understanding of the value of forests inour lives.

OUTDOOR EDUCATION

PICNIC FACILITIESBe sure to bring a picnic lunch with you. Picnic siteswith tables and grills are available. A spacious picnicshelter with a massive stone fireplace is available forgroups. Reservations for the shelter are required.

We have ongoing volunteer programs. Contact theforest office for additional information.

Ranger-conducted programs are available to groupsvisiting the Forest. Instructor activity packets andspecial study sites are also available to assist teachersor other group leaders in using the Forest as anoutdoor classroom. Call the office to makearrangements.

Email: holmesesf@a-o.com

Holmes Educational State Forest

The Forestry Center houses audio-visual exhibits describing themanaged forest and is used as thestarting point for the Forest trails.A natural amphitheater isavailable for special sessions orgroups.

For the hardy spirit, walk-in tentsites are available. The Rangerswill be glad to reserve a site foryour overnight stay.

Rem

ember...Only YOU

!

Prevent Forest Fire

s!

At Holmes EducationalState Forest, visitors canlisten to the wind in thetrees; or they can listen tothe trees tell a story. TheTalking Tree Trail features"talking trees", each with arecorded message aboutitself, its site, and theforest history. Actualforestry practices areexplained on the ForestDemonstration Trail.

Crab Creek

EntranceOffice

Volleyball

Horseshoes

Parking

Plantation

Overlook

CrabC

reek

Tr ail

Meadow

Picnic

Shelter

Rest

Rooms

Forest

Information

Forestry

Center

Soil &

Water Trail

Amphitheater

Amphitheater

Amphitheater

Talking Tree Trail

Study Site

Demonstration Trail

Observation Deck

Picnic Sites

Picnic Sites

Wildcat Rock Trail

Overlook

Shower

Group

Campground

Scenic

Overlook

Pond

ToC

rab

Cre

ek

Rd. Old

CC

CRd.

Campground

Entrance (locked)

Crab Creek Road

Study Site

Handicap

Site Handicap

Site

Fire TowerFire Plow

Helicopter

STATION #3

Welcome to the Observation Deck! I know you are glad to see thisplace after that climb! You have just completed the most difficultsection on this trail. This is an enjoyable place to rest and sitquietly, listen to the forest sounds and enjoy the woodland views.

Providing a safe and informative hiking trail is hard and timeconsuming work. Holmes Educational State Forest is extremelyfortunate to have many energetic and dedicated volunteershelping with our trail system. The volunteers give their time andexpertise so that our visitors may have a more enjoyable andmeaningful forest experience. The Carolina Mountain Club andPisgah Hikers have spent many hours constructing hand rails,repairing and constructing bridges and installing waterbars alongthis trail. Also, various Scouting groups have helped to clearbrush, remove litter, paint buildings and exhibits, and plantwildlife food plots along the trailside. The Western CarolinaBotanical Club is continually documenting the many forestflower species growing along our trails.

Enjoy the wildflowers, but please refrain from picking them sothat others may also enjoy and learn about them.

Additional information about volunteer groups and the work theydo, books and field manuals to help you identify things you haveseen in the forest, are available at the Ranger Headquarters.

STATION #4

All wildlife species have different needs for food, shelter, range, andclimate. An animal will only inhabit an area in which all of its needsare met. Wildlife Management works toward developing andprotecting food, water, and shelter to meet the needs of all wildlife(including aquatic species). This food, water, and shelter is knownas an ANIMALS HABITAT. There are many species of animals inthis forest. More frequently seen are gray squirrels, cottontailrabbits, skunks, opposums, ruffled grouse, wild turkey, whitetaildeer, foxes, hawks, crows, and scores of other bird species.

Food plots are established throughout this forest to provide coverand food for small animals and birds. To see wildlife one mustremain very still and quiet in one place for, usually, at least 15 or 20minutes.

Wildlife food plots are also good for erosion control, on areas such asspoil banks, logging roads, or any area where the soil is exposed.For more information concerning wildlife food plots, contact theRanger Office.

STATION #5

As you left the logging road and came down the hill, you entered apure stand of Eastern White Pine. These trees grow in the mountainsand extreme upper Piedmont of North Carolina and northwardthrough New England and the Great Lakes region. These treescommonly grow to heights of 100 feet and reach economic maturityin 50 to 60 years. The wood is used for furniture, house framing,siding, trim, and molding.

White Pine seeds make up a large portion of the winter diet ofsquirrels, chickadees and mice. Bluebirds also use the needles whenbuilding their nests.

Look closely at an Eastern White Pine near you. Notice how thebranches grow in rings around the main stem. These limbs arecalled ANNUAL WHORLS because only one set of them growseach year. By counting the number of annual whorls, you can easilydetermine the age of an Eastern White Pine. Once you count thenumber of whorls, add about 5 years to account for the time the treewas a seedling, and you have, thus, determined the age of the tree.

Try this method of determining the age of other Eastern White Pinesin the forest. Remember, around here, this method of aging appliesonly to the Eastern White Pine.

STATION #2

This portion of the trail ascends steeply for approximately 1/2mile. There are several rest stations along the way with anobservation deck at the ridge top. As you walk along notice therich soil, healthy forest, wildflowers, and signs of wildlifeactivity. This mountainside was "selectively cut" in 1969. Thelogging and road construction was implemented with theprotection of the water, soil, wildlife, timber, and aesthetic valuein mind. This is what Multiple-Use Forest Management is allabout. Had this work been done thoughtlessly with no regard forthe environment, our forest would still be suffering from thesepractices today. Done properly, we still have trees for the futurecooling and cleaning the air, providing homes and food forwildlife, enriching our soil, protecting our watersheds andproviding us with a wonderful forest to enjoy.

STATION #1

Welcome to the Forest Demonstration Trail. This self-guidedtrail was developed to demonstrate and give new insights toMultiple Use Forest Management. Along this 3-mile trail youwill find interpretive signs and displays to help you betterunderstand our managed forests. The Demonstration Trail is a"Loop Trail" which will bring you back to the Forestery Center inabout 2.5 hours. Proceed to Station #2, when you are ready, andenjoy your hike.

STATION # 6

Yellow Poplar, or Tulip Tree, distinguished by its excellent form andrapid growth, is one of the taller and more valuable trees. It is widelydistributed throughout the United States. Yellow Poplar reaches aheight of 80 to 100 feet. It has a straight trunk that is clear of limbsfor much of its length. Indians and settlers made dugout canoesfrom them. Hence, one of Yellow Poplar's common names is "canoetree."

A Yellow Poplar may live 250 years or more. Though called aYellow Poplar because of its light colored wood, it is really amember of the Magnolia family. The scientific name isLiriodendron Tulipifera which means "Lilly Tree bearing tulipsfrom its large green, yellow and orange colored flowers whichappear in the Spring." Yellow Poplars grow ideally in moist soils,along streams, or in mountain coves. Notice these particular siteswhen you see these trees growing along the trail.

STATION # 7

Ponds, whether natural or man-made, are teeming with life and areexcellent places for learning and discovery. Many species ofplants, animals, and insects live in or are directly influenced by thepond community. The health of the pond, the food chains, and thebalances associated with it are all dependent on many interrelatedfactors, many of which can be upset by the careless activities ofman. These variables include the water and oxygen and carbondioxide content, water clarity, temperature, Ph level, and others.Direct or indirect manipulation of the pond environment whichchanges any of these factors, or destroys a section of the food chaincan adversely effect all of the life found here.

Protecting our wetland areas and the life associated around them isan important duty of the Forest Manager. If time permits, sit quietlyby the pond for a while and notice the variety of life that could easilyby overlooked without careful observation.

STATION # 8

Trees, just as people, can contract diseases and become sick. Treesare susceptible to many types of disease and insect attack. It isimportant for a Forest Manager to be able to recognize and react tothese problems in the forest.

The disease infecting this White Pine plantation is called AnnosusRoot Rot. The disease has occured in Europe for many years buthas now become an important problem here in the United States.The disease spreads by airborne spores to freshly injured trees orrecently cut stumps. It also spreads through root contact from onetree to another (somewhat similar to the way humans transmit coldgerms). As the roots die, the tree loses its ability to support itselfand eventually blows or falls over, as has happened to these trees.Any landowner in North Carolina who suspects disease or insectproblems in his woodlands can contact the county N. C. ForestService office for verification and recommended control measures.

Demonstration

Trail

Demonstration

Trail

Demonstration

Trail

STATION #9

Once a planted or natural stand of trees reaches pulpwood size itbecomes necessary to consider thinning them out. Thinningmeans removing the poor quality trees to increase the diametergrowth rate and development of the remaining trees by reducingcompetition and giving them more room to grow. In unthinnedand crowded stands trees grow very slowly and the stand soonstagnates. Thinning insures optimum growth in the better qualitytrees.

The White Pine stand in front of you has been marked forthinning. Trees designated to be removed have been marked withyellow paint. The marks at eye level lets the cutter know whichtrees to remove. The mark at the stump line allows the ForestManager to confirm that only the trees marked have beenremoved. Pulpwood marking is one of the many Forest Managerservices that is provided by the N. C. Division of Forest Resourcesto private landowners. For more information, contact your localcounty Forest Ranger or one of the rangers at the Holmes ForestHeadquarters.

STATION #10

Welcome to Station #10. Pulpwood and firewood is bought andsold by a unit of measure known as CORD. One cord of woodmeasures 4x4x8 feet, or 128 cubic feet of wood, bark, and air. Thestack of wood before you is a measured cord. From this one cordof wood we could make 12 dining room tables, or 1,200 copies ofthe National Geographic magazine, or 942 1-pound text books.

Think of all the things in your home, school, church, orcommunity made from wood or wood products. And, think ofwhat our lives would be like without them. By the year 2000world consumption of wood is expected to increase by 40%. Atthe same time our forest lands are declining by development andwaste. This is why the N.C. Forest Service encourageslandowners to properly manage their woodlands through ForestManagement Assistance and Cost Share programs. Informationon forest management assistance to landowners and rangerconducted programs on forest management are available fromany Holmes Educational State Forest ranger.

STATION #11

A major responsibility of the N. C. Forest Service is to provide fireprevention and control to the woodlands of the state. Thousandsof acres of forest land are needlessly burned each year. Thesefires not only burn future timber and recreational resources, butalso have an effect on wildlife, soil, water, and air quality. Also,these forest fires threaten more homes each year in Western NorthCarolina as the mountain region becomes increasingly developed.

Fire has always occured in nature, and in a sense is useful bycreating openings in the once dense forest. Many plant and treespecies depend on fire for regeneration. The number of naturallyoccuring fires is insignificant when compared the number of mancaused fires. Most forest fires are unintentionally caused, and aregenerally the result of carelessness. Almost half of the wildfiresin North Carolina are caused by debris burning. Always checkwith fire officials before you burn debris, and always be sure tostay with you fire until it is totally burned out.

STATION #12

Research is a integral part of forest management. The Yellow Poplarstand in front of you is one of many research plots planted by the U.S. Forest Service Southeastern Forest Experiment station inAsheville, N. C. These trees were plant on an 8 x 8 foot spacing in1962. At age 15, the stand was divided into six pairs of plots. Oneplot in each pair was THINNED while the other plot was leftUNTHINNED. The tree diameter growth in each plot has beenmeasured several times since then. The increase in diameter growthin the THINNED plots has been significant.

In 1985, all of the plots in the stand were thinned down to the sameBasal Area, or stand density. The resulting growth during the nextdecade provided the researchers more information on the value ofthinning Yellow Poplar stands as a forest management tool.

Studies such as the one observed here take years to conduct.Information gained from this and other studies across the region arenecessary for the development of new forest managementtechniques which will enable foresters to grow better quality timberfor the needs of the generations to come.

STATION # 13

Welcome to Station #13. This is the last station on our self-guidedtour. As you walk the remainder of this loop trail, reflect on theimportance of our natural resources, and why man and nature mustwork together to keep them healthy and productive. The NorthCarolina Forest Service is available to any North Carolinalandowner with forestry problems, or management assistance.

Programs relating to Multiple-Use Forest Management are availableto school and civic groups at Holmes Educational State Forest fromMarch through November. The staff at Holmes Educational StateForest will be glad to provide additional information or answerquestions you may have concerning these or related topics. Enjoythe rest of your walk, and please come back soon!

When forest fires strike, everyone loses. Remember what SmokeyBear has said for years--ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT FORESTFIRES.

Self-GuidedTour

Holmes

Educational

State Forest