Looking to get outside on a trail in Dufferin? Learn more about the trees in this area by walking at Splitrock Narrows on the Tree Trail.
The Bruce Trail Conservancy has a mission, preserving a ribbon of wilderness, for everyone, forever.
The conservation of the Splitrock Narrows property is in keeping with promoting ecological integrity through monitoring the health of the vegetative communities, biodiversity, and the state of invasive species.
The Splitrock Narrows property is 25.6 hectares (63.28 acres) and home to a number of native species that are a perfect representation of the greater Niagara Escarpment. The forests on the property are mainly composed of Sugar Maple trees, some of which are quite old and reaching relative maturity.
The property is also host to a number of other key components of the deciduous forests along the Niagara Escarpment. Present amongst these species are American beech, White Birch, Large-toothed Aspen and Black Cherry trees. Perhaps most notable on the property is the presence of White Cedar trees that mark their way down the escarpment, clinging to its rocky face and sometimes reaching ages upwards of 1500 years old.
The Splitrock Narrows property consists of seven vegetation communities that fall within the following broad vegetation categories: Meadow, deciduous forest, coniferous forest, deciduous woodland, and treed talus. The property is a mix of forested and meadow habitats with the most significant and noticeable features on the property being the deep crevices that run along the eastern boundary. Details are described here
Incredibly, the property supports 218 documented species, including 178 plant species and 40 animal species. Six species of provincial and federal concern were identified on the property including the Butternut, Woodthrush, Eastern Wood Pewee, Monarch, Bobolink and the Eastern Meadowlark.
The trail is a loop hike, meaning you end where you started and it takes about an hour to complete.
Look for the Voss Tree Signs identifying the species and share something you learned at dinner tonight!
Download the map and take a hike along the path to learn more about the trees in our backyard. Very often maps are available at the entrance to the trail from the parking lot.
