The State of North Carolina has a group of protected areas known as the North Carolina State Park System , which is managed by the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation ( NCDPR ), an agency of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) . Units of the system can only be established by an act of the General Assembly of North Carolina . The park system began in 1916 when the summit of Mount Mitchell became first state park in the Southeastern United States . According to the Division of Parks & Recreation, "the State Parks Act of 1987 lists six types of units included in the NC State Parks System." These are State Parks , State Recreation Areas , State Natural Areas , State Lakes , State Trails , and State Rivers . All units of the system are owned and/or managed by the division, and the division leases some of the units to other agencies for operation. Most units of the park system are also components of State Nature and Historic Preserve .
72-598: Dismal Swamp State Park is a North Carolina state park in Camden County , North Carolina , in the United States . The park was created as a state natural area in 1974 with the help of The Nature Conservancy , and on July 28, 2007, the North Carolina General Assembly re-designated it as a state park. It opened to the public in 2008. This marked the first time that public access to Great Dismal Swamp
144-664: A "glorious paradise". He then formed the Dismal Swamp Land Company in 1763, which proceeded to drain and harvest timber from part of the area. A five-mile (8 km) ditch on the west side of the current refuge still bears his name. In 1805, the Dismal Swamp Canal began serving as a commercial highway for timber coming out of the swamp. Before and during the American Civil War , the Great Dismal Swamp
216-432: A 5-lobed calyx , usually at the twig tips. The staminate flowers are sessile . The pistillate flowers are borne on pedicels that grow out while the flowers are blooming, so that eventually the flowers are in a hanging cluster with stems 1 to 5 cm ( 1 ⁄ 2 to 2 in) long. The petals are lineal to oblong in shape and are pubescent. The pistillate flowers have one pistil formed from two fused carpels with
288-424: A distance due to their large size and reddish tint. The leaf scars on the twig are V-shaped and contain three bundle scars. The flowers are generally unisexual, with male and female flowers appearing in separate sessile clusters, though they are sometimes also bisexual. They appear in late winter to early spring, from December to May depending on elevation and latitude, usually before the leaves. The tree itself
360-513: A glabrous superior ovary and two long styles that protrude beyond the perianth . The staminate flowers contain between 4 and 12 stamens , often with 8. The fruit is a schizocarp of 2 samaras , each one 15 to 25 mm ( 5 ⁄ 8 to 1 in) long. Prior to dehiscence, the wings of the fruit are somewhat divergent at an angle of 50 to 60°. They are borne on long slender pedicels and are variable in color from light brown to reddish. They ripen from April through early June, before even
432-578: A height around 30 m (100 ft). Its flowers, petioles, twigs, and seeds are all red to varying degrees. Among these features, however, it is best known for its brilliant deep scarlet foliage in autumn. Over most of its range, red maple is adaptable to a very wide range of site conditions, perhaps more so than any other tree in eastern North America. It can be found growing in swamps , on poor, dry soils , and almost anywhere in between. It grows well from sea level to about 900 m (3,000 ft). Due to its attractive fall foliage and pleasing form, it
504-411: A potential allelopathic inhibitor of red maple growth. Red maple is one of the first species to start stem elongation. In one study, stem elongation was one-half completed in 1 week, after which growth slowed and was 90% completed within only 54 days. In good light and moisture conditions, the seedlings can grow 30 cm (0.98 ft) in their first year and up to 60 cm (2.0 ft) each year for
576-412: A reservoir, waiting to fill any open area of the canopy above. Trees growing in a Zone 9 or 10 area such as Florida will usually die from cold damage if transferred up north, for instance to Canada, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire and New York, even if the southern trees were planted with northern red maples. Due to their wide range, genetically the trees have adapted to the climatic differences. Red maple
648-479: A result. Red maple's rapid growth, ease of transplanting, attractive form, and value for wildlife (in the eastern US) has made it one of the most extensively planted trees. In parts of the Pacific Northwest , it is one of the most common introduced trees. Its popularity in cultivation stems from its vigorous habit, its attractive and early red flowers, and most importantly, its flaming red fall foliage. The tree
720-430: A sparse presence by the time a forest is mature. This species is in fact a vital part of forest regeneration in the same way that paper birch is. Because it can grow on a variety of substrates, has a high pH tolerance, and grows in both shade and sun, A. rubrum is a prolific seed producer and highly adaptable, often dominating disturbed sites. While many believe that it is replacing historically dominant tree species in
792-399: A sparse presence, while shade-tolerant trees such as sugar maples, beeches , and hemlocks thrive. By removing red maple from a young forest recovering from disturbance, the natural cycle of forest regeneration is altered, changing the diversity of the forest for centuries to come. Though A. rubrum is sometimes easy to identify, it is highly changeable in morphological characteristics. It
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#1732852762558864-432: A variety of moist and dry biomes, from dry ridges and sunny, southwest-facing slopes to peat bogs and swamps . While many types of tree prefer a south- or north-facing aspect, the red maple does not appear to have a preference. Its ideal conditions are in moderately well-drained, moist sites at low or intermediate elevations. However, it is nonetheless common in mountainous areas on relatively dry ridges, as well as on both
936-486: A variety of places, and it is widespread along the Eastern United States. It grows on glaciated as well as unglaciated soils derived from granite , gneiss , schist , sandstone , shale , slate , conglomerate , quartzite , and limestone . Chlorosis can occur on very alkaline soils, though otherwise its pH tolerance is quite high. Moist mineral soil is best for germination of seeds. Red maple can grow in
1008-406: Is a medium to large sized tree, reaching heights of 27 to 38 m (90 to 120 ft) and exceptionally over 41 m (135 ft) in the southern Appalachians where conditions favor its growth. The leaves are usually 9 to 11 cm ( 3 + 1 ⁄ 2 to 4 + 1 ⁄ 4 in) long on a full-grown tree. The trunk diameter often ranges from 46 to 88 cm (18 to 35 in); depending on
1080-519: Is a pale grey and smooth when the individual is young. As the tree grows the bark becomes darker and cracks into slightly raised long plates. The largest known living red maple is located near Armada, Michigan , at a height of 38.1 m (125 ft) and a bole circumference, at breast height, of 4.95 m (16 ft 3 in). The leaves of the red maple offer the easiest way to distinguish it from its relatives. As with all North American maple trees, they are deciduous and arranged oppositely on
1152-464: Is able to increase its numbers significantly when associate trees are damaged by disease, cutting, or fire. One study found that 6 years after clearcutting a 3.4 hectares (8.4 acres) Oak-Hickory forest containing no red maples, the plot contained more than 2,200 red maple seedlings per hectare (900 per acre) taller than 1.4 m (4.6 ft). One of its associates, the black cherry ( Prunus serotina ), contains benzoic acid, which has been shown to be
1224-596: Is almost exclusively associated with swamps. Additionally, red maple is one of the most drought-tolerant species of maple in the Carolinas. Red maple is far more abundant today than when Europeans first arrived in North America. It only contributed minimally to old-growth upland forests, and would only form same-species stands in riparian zones . The density of the tree in many of these areas has increased six- to seven-fold, and this trend seems to be continuing, all of which
1296-505: Is also used for the production of maple syrup , though the hard maples Acer saccharum (sugar maple) and Acer nigrum (black maple) are more commonly utilized. One study compared the sap and syrup from the sugar maple with those of the red maple, as well as those of the Acer saccharinum (silver maple), Acer negundo (boxelder), and Acer platanoides (Norway maple), and all were found to be equal in sweetness, flavor, and quality. However,
1368-457: Is considered polygamodioecious , meaning some individuals are male, some female, and some monoecious . Under the proper conditions, the tree can sometimes switch from male to female, male to hermaphroditic, and hermaphroditic to female. The red maple will begin blooming when it is about 8 years old, but it significantly varies between tree to tree: some trees may begin flowering when they are 4 years old. The flowers are red with 5 small petals and
1440-503: Is due to human factors, mainly loss of forest management by Native Americans who managed the forests to enhance acorn production and oak tree growth. This loss of management has been further enhanced by continued heavy logging and a recent trend of young, shrubby forests recovering from past human disturbances. Also, the decline of American elm and American chestnut due to introduced diseases has contributed to its spread. Red maple dominates such sites, but largely disappears until it only has
1512-555: Is easily damaged from ice and storms, animals, and when used in landscaping, being struck by flying debris from lawn mowers, allowing fungi to penetrate and cause heart rot. Its ability to thrive in a large number of habitats is largely due to its ability to produce roots to suit its site from a young age. In wet locations, red maple seedlings produce short taproots with long, well-developed lateral roots; while on dry sites, they develop long taproots with significantly shorter laterals. The roots are primarily horizontal, however, forming in
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#17328527625581584-563: Is lethal. Symptoms occur within one or two days after ingestion and can include depression, lethargy, increased rate and depth of breathing, increased heart rate, jaundice , dark brown urine, colic , laminitis , coma, and death. Treatment is limited and can include the use of methylene blue or mineral oil and activated carbon in order to stop further absorption of the toxin into the stomach, as well as blood transfusions , fluid support, diuretics , and anti-oxidants such as Vitamin C . About 50% to 75% of affected horses die or are euthanized as
1656-489: Is light green and the underside is whitish and can be either glaucous or hairy. The leaf stalks are usually red and are up to 10 cm (4 in) long. The leaves can turn a characteristic brilliant red in autumn, but can also become yellow or orange on some individuals. Soil acidity can influence the color of the foliage and trees with female flowers are more likely to produce orange coloration while male trees produce red. The fall colors of red maple are most spectacular in
1728-546: Is limited exclusively to swamplands. The fruits also vary geographically with northern individuals in areas with brief, frost-free periods producing fruits that are shorter and heavier than their southern counterparts. As a result of such variation, there is much genetic potential for breeding programs with a goal of producing red maples for cultivation. This is especially useful for making urban cultivars that require resistance from verticillium wilt , air pollution, and drought. Red maple frequently hybridizes with silver maple ;
1800-624: Is most abundant in the Northeastern US, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and northeastern Wisconsin, and is rare in the extreme west of its range and in the Southeastern US. In several other locations, the tree is absent from large areas but still present in a few specific habitats. An example is the Bluegrass region of Kentucky, where red maple is not found in the dominant open plains, but
1872-474: Is much drier than it was in the past. The efforts of man in the last 200 years to drain the swamp have left it drastically altered. Ditches and logging trails have cut off the normal flow of the swamp and created a series of stagnant pools and patches of dry land where continuously water covered swamps once stood. The trees of the area have changed from various types of cypress and other water loving plants to red maple and white cedar . The white cedar thrives in
1944-727: Is not present in most of the Prairie Peninsula of the northern Midwest (although it is found in Ohio), the coastal prairie in southern Louisiana and southeastern Texas and the swamp prairie of the Florida Everglades . Red maple's western range stops with the Great Plains where conditions become too dry for it. The absence of red maple from the Prairie Peninsula is most likely due to the tree's poor tolerance of wildfires. Red maple
2016-403: Is often used as a shade tree for landscapes. It is used commercially on a small scale for maple syrup production and for its medium to high quality lumber. It is also the state tree of Rhode Island. The red maple can be considered weedy or even invasive in young, highly disturbed forests, especially frequently logged forests. In a mature or old-growth northern hardwood forest, red maple only has
2088-426: Is one of the first plants to flower in spring. A crop of seeds is generally produced every year with a bumper crop often occurring every second year. A single tree between 5 and 20 cm (2.0 and 7.9 in) in diameter can produce between 12,000 and 91,000 seeds in a season. A tree 30 cm (0.98 ft) in diameter was shown to produce nearly a million seeds. Red maple produces one of the smallest seeds of any of
2160-461: Is open for year-round recreation. Dismal Swamp Canal is open to canoes and kayaks . A boat ramp at the park provides access to the canal. There are 16.7 miles (26.9 km) of logging trails open to hiking and mountain biking through swamp forests. Park rangers host environmental education and interpretive events. The visitor center is accessed from a floating bridge across the canal. List of North Carolina state parks State Parks are
2232-644: Is present along streams. Here the red maple is not present in the bottom land forests of the Grain Belt , despite the fact it is common in similar habitats and species associations both to the north and south of this area. In the Northeastern US, red maple can be a climax forest species in certain locations, but will eventually give way to sugar maple. A. rubrum does very well in a wide range of soil types, with varying textures, moisture, pH , and elevation, probably more so than any other forest tree in North America. A. rubrum 's high pH tolerance means that it can grow in
Dismal Swamp State Park - Misplaced Pages Continue
2304-409: Is significant variation in hardiness, size, form, time of flushing, onset of dormancy, and other traits. Generally speaking, individuals from the north flush the earliest, have the most reddish fall color, set their buds the earliest and take the least winter injury. Seedlings are tallest in the north-central and east-central part of the range. In Florida, at the extreme south of the red maple's range, it
2376-499: Is still a fairly hard wood, being comparable to black cherry ( Prunus serotina ) in this regard. Like A. saccharum , the wood of red maple is close-grained, but its texture is softer, less dense, and has not as desirable an appearance, particularly under a clear finish. However, the wood from Acer rubrum while being typically less expensive than hard maple, also has greater dimensional stability than that of A. saccharum , and also machines and stains easier. Thus, high grades of wood from
2448-518: Is the NC Division of Parks & Recreation description of State Trails: The North Carolina Trails System Act was passed in 1973 to help provide for the state's outdoor recreation needs and to promote public access to natural and scenic areas. The act prescribed methods for establishing a statewide system of scenic trails, recreation trails, and connecting or side trails. The Trails System includes "park trails", which are designated and managed as units of
2520-409: Is unknown, but believed to be an oxidant because it damages red blood cells , causing acute oxidative hemolysis that inhibits the transport of oxygen . This not only decreases oxygen delivery to all tissues, but also leads to the production of methemoglobin , which can further damage the kidneys. The ingestion of 700 grams (1.5 pounds) of leaves is considered toxic and 1.4 kilograms (3 pounds)
2592-460: The Great Dismal Swamp area, and European settlers showed little interest in the swamp. In 1665, William Drummond , future governor of North Carolina, was the first European to explore the lake which now bears his name. William Byrd II led a surveying party into the swamp to draw a dividing line between Virginia and North Carolina in 1728. George Washington visited the swamp and called it
2664-566: The hybrid , known as Freeman's maple, Acer × freemanii , is intermediate between the parents. The allergenic potential of red maples varies widely based on the cultivar. The following cultivars are completely male and are highly allergenic, with an OPALS allergy scale rating of 8 or higher: The following cultivars have an OPALS allergy scale rating of 3 or lower; they are completely female trees, and have low potential for causing allergies: The leaves of red maple, especially when dead or wilted, are extremely toxic to horses . The toxin
2736-479: The peat that is common in the area. These trees provide a habitat for several rare species. Hessel's hairstreak a species of butterfly that is dependent on the white cedar has been spotted at the park. Black-throated green warblers make their nests in the white cedars. The drained swamp lands have converted to hardwood forests of red maple, black walnut , pawpaw and several species of oak. White-tailed deer , wild turkey , bobwhite and marsh rabbits live in
2808-673: The red maple , also known as swamp maple , water maple , or soft maple , is one of the most common and widespread deciduous trees of eastern and central North America. The U.S. Forest Service recognizes it as the most abundant native tree in eastern North America. The red maple ranges from southeastern Manitoba around the Lake of the Woods on the border with Ontario and Minnesota , east to Newfoundland , south to Florida , and southwest to East Texas . Many of its features, especially its leaves, are quite variable in form. At maturity, it often attains
2880-470: The Eastern United States, such as sugar maples , beeches , oaks , hemlocks and pines , red maple will only dominate young forests prone to natural or human disturbance. In areas disturbed by humans where the species thrives, it can reduce diversity, but in a mature forest, it is not a dominant species; it only has a sparse presence and adds to the diversity and ecological structure of a forest. Extensive use of red maple in landscaping has also contributed to
2952-589: The NC State Park System and transferred to other agencies for management. When the State Historic Site system was established in 1955, the system's first six components were historic properties transferred from the State Park System. One unit, Rendezvous Mountain , was transferred back to the park system, after 66 years in the state forest system. Acer rubrum Acer rubrum ,
Dismal Swamp State Park - Misplaced Pages Continue
3024-606: The State Parks System known as State Trails, and "designated trails", which are managed by other governmental agencies or corporations. State Rivers are components of the state's Natural and Scenic Rivers System, which is the state's equivalent to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System . Most of the state's National Wild and Scenic Rivers , are also State Rivers and vice versa . The NC Division of Parks & Recreation states that: The Natural and Scenic Rivers System
3096-543: The State Trail System. State Trails may be either long-distance, hiking trails or paddle trails . State Trails may have land components for providing a trail corridor or for protecting significant features or resources along the trail. Most of these lands are leased to other land management agencies. All of the State Trails are joint projects with other government agencies and nonprofit organizations. The following
3168-463: The State." This allowed the then-Department of Conservation and Development to assume management authority for seven Coastal Plain lakes that became units of the State Parks System known as State Lakes. Most of these are administratively included as part of an adjoining State Park, but one of the lakes (White Lake) has no public ownership on its shoreline. State Trails are one of the principal components of
3240-609: The areas along the trails. Blackberry and blueberry patches line the trails. These berries attract a large number of American black bears to the area. Other common animals include the raccoon , opossum and gray fox as well as the occasional bobcat . Butterflies are plentiful at Dismal Swamp State Park. Forty-three species have been found in the park, including large numbers of palamedes , zebra swallowtails , tiger swallowtails and Atlantic holly azures . Several varieties of warbler and vireo are common. Woodpeckers and hawks nest here as do barred owls . Dismal Swamp State Park
3312-405: The buds of red maple and other soft maples emerge much earlier in the spring than the sugar maple, and after sprouting chemical makeup of the sap changes, imparting an undesirable flavor to the syrup. This being the case, red maple can only be tapped for syrup before the buds emerge, making the season very short. Native Americans used red maple bark as a wash for inflamed eyes and cataracts, and as
3384-420: The flow of water across the swamp's surface, flooding some areas of the swamp with stagnant water . The logging operations removed natural stands of bald cypress and Atlantic white cypress that were replaced by other forest types, particularly red maple . A drier swamp and the suppression of wildfires, which once cleared the land for seed germination , created ecological conditions that were less favorable to
3456-582: The general public to protect rare, fragile ecosystems . A few have developed facilities for low intensity, passive recreation, as well as facilities for public interpretation and education of the natural area. The NC Division of Parks & Recreation states: The purpose of State Natural Areas is focused on preserving and protecting areas of scientific, aesthetic, or ecological value. Facilities are limited to those needed for interpretation, protection, and minimum maintenance. Generally, recreational and public use facilities such as camping, swimming, picnicking, and
3528-433: The growing conditions, however, open-grown trees can attain diameters of up to 153 cm (60 in). The trunk remains free of branches until some distance up the tree on forest grown trees, while individuals grown in the open are shorter and thicker with a more rounded crown. Trees on poorer sites often become malformed and scraggly. Generally the crown is irregularly ovoid with ascending whip-like curved shoots. The bark
3600-576: The largest continuous range along the North American Atlantic Coast of any tree that occurs in Florida. In total it ranges 2,600 km (1,600 mi) from north to south. The species is native to all regions of the United States east of the 95th meridian . The tree's range ends where the −40 °C (−40 °F) mean minimum isotherm begins, namely in southeastern Canada . A. rubrum
3672-589: The leaf development is altogether complete. After they reach maturity, the seeds are dispersed for a 1- to 2-week period from April through July. Acer rubrum is one of the most abundant and widespread trees in eastern North America. It can be found from the south of Newfoundland , through Nova Scotia , New Brunswick , and southern Quebec to the southwest west of Ontario, extreme southeastern Manitoba and northern Minnesota ; southward through Wisconsin , Illinois , Missouri , eastern Oklahoma , and eastern Texas in its western range; and east to Florida . It has
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#17328527625583744-576: The like are not provided in State Natural Areas. State Lakes are all large, naturally formed bodies of water in the state's Coastal Plain . Most of the lakes are Carolina Bays . The NC Division of Parks & Recreation describes its State Lakes as follows: Chapter 165 of the Laws of 1929 specified that "all lakes now belonging to the State having an area of 50 acres or more" should be "administered as provided for other recreational areas now owned by
3816-609: The maples. Fertilization has also been shown to significantly increase the seed yield for up to two years after application. The seeds are epigeal and tend to germinate in early summer soon after they are released, assuming a small amount of light, moisture, and sufficient temperatures are present. If the seeds are densely shaded, then germination commonly does not occur until the next spring. Most seedlings do not survive in closed forest canopy situations. However, one- to four-year-old seedlings are common under dense canopy. Though they eventually die if no light reaches them, they serve as
3888-560: The most popular. Toward its southern limit, 'Fireburst', 'Florida Flame', and 'Gulf Ember' are preferred. Many cultivars of the Freeman maple are also grown widely. Below is a partial list of cultivars: In the lumber industry Acer rubrum is considered a "soft maple", a designation it shares, commercially, with silver maple ( A. saccharinum ). In this context, the term "soft" is more comparative, than descriptive; i.e., "soft maple", while softer than its harder cousin, sugar maple ( A. saccharum ),
3960-463: The natural resources are still important, and the sites are expected to contain scenic and attractive natural features. Development is planned and constructed to keep a "reasonable amount" of each area undisturbed and free from improvements and structures. State Natural Areas protect areas more sensitive to human activities than State Parks. Most of the State Natural Areas are undeveloped and have limited to no facilities, and some of them are closed to
4032-482: The next few years, making it a fast grower. The red maple is used as a food source by several forms of wildlife. Elk and white-tailed deer in particular use the current season's growth of red maple as an important source of winter food. Several Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) utilize the leaves as food, including larvae of the rosy maple moth ( Dryocampa rubicunda ); see List of Lepidoptera that feed on maples. Due to A. rubrum ' s very wide range, there
4104-452: The northern part of its range where climates are cooler. The twigs of the red maple are reddish in color and somewhat shiny with small lenticels . Dwarf shoots are present on many branches. The buds are usually blunt and greenish to reddish in color, generally with several loose scales. The lateral buds are slightly stalked, and in addition, collateral buds may be present, as well. The buds form in fall and winter and are often visible from
4176-413: The principle unit of the state park system. The NC Division of Parks & Recreation describes its parks as follows: Generally, State Parks are expected to possess both significant natural resource values and significant recreational values. State Parks are expected to accommodate the development of facilities, but may vary in the extent of development depending upon what can be provided without damage to
4248-500: The public. State Recreation Areas are more intensely developed units than State Parks, and they largely encompass lands less sensitive to human activities than State Parks. According to the NC Division of Parks & Recreation: State Recreation Areas are sites where the primary purpose is outdoor recreation, rather than preservation. More intensive development of facilities is provided than in State Parks. Protection and enjoyment of
4320-420: The red maple can be substituted for hard maple, particularly when it comes to making stain/paint-grade furniture. Red maple lumber also contains a greater percentage of "curly" (aka "flame"/"fiddleback") figure, which is prized by musical instrument/custom furniture makers, as well as the veneer industry. As a soft maple, the wood tends to shrink more during the drying process than with the hard maples. Red maple
4392-435: The scenic or natural features. Facilities are planned and constructed to keep disturbance of natural resources to a minimum and to leave a "liberal portion" of each park undisturbed and free from improvements and structures, except for trails. Several of the State Parks are new and are still being planned and developed. A few of the older state parks were greatly expanded in size in the 2000s adding trails and bike paths open to
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#17328527625584464-413: The south and west sides of upper slopes. Furthermore, it is common in swampy areas, along the banks of slow moving streams, as well as on poorly drained flats and depressions. In northern Michigan and New England , the tree is found on the tops of ridges, sandy or rocky upland and otherwise dry soils, as well as in nearly pure stands on moist soils and the edges of swamps. In the far south of its range, it
4536-471: The surge in the species' numbers as volunteer seedlings proliferate. Finally, disease epidemics have greatly reduced the population of elms and chestnuts in the forests of the US. While mainline forest trees continue to dominate mesic sites with rich soil, more marginal areas are increasingly being dominated by red maple. Red maple's maximum lifespan is 150 years, but most live less than 100 years. The tree's thin bark
4608-404: The survival of cypress stands. As a result, plant and animal variety decreased. Dismal Swamp State Park opened in 2008. It is accessed via a floating bridge over the Dismal Swamp Canal . This is the only public access to the park's visitor's center, other than boat launches along the canal. Hiking and biking trails have opened and additional trails are under construction. Dismal Swamp State Park
4680-431: The swamp, so that the remaining portion within and around the refuge represents less than half of the original size of the swamp. Before the refuge was established, over 140 miles (230 km) of roads were constructed to provide access to the timber . These roads disrupted the swamp's natural hydrology , as the ditches which were dug to provide soil for the road beds drained water from the swamp. The roads also blocked
4752-532: The tree's fall foliage is not as vibrant in this environment. Like several other maples, its low root system can be invasive and it makes a poor choice for plantings near paving. It attracts squirrels, who eat its buds in the early spring, although squirrels prefer the larger buds of the silver maple . Red maples make vibrant and colorful bonsai , and have year around attractive features for display. Numerous cultivars have been selected, often for intensity of fall color, with 'October Glory' and 'Red Sunset' among
4824-526: The twig. They are typically 5–10 cm (2–4 in) long and wide with three to five palmate lobes with a serrated margin. The sinuses are typically narrow, but the leaves can exhibit considerable variation. When five lobes are present, the three at the terminal end are larger than the other two near the base. In contrast, the leaves of the related silver maple , A. saccharinum , are much more deeply lobed, more sharply toothed, and characteristically have five lobes. The upper side of A. rubrum ' s leaf
4896-451: The upper 25 cm (9.8 in) of the ground. Mature trees have woody roots up to 25 m (82 ft) long. They are very tolerant of flooding, with one study showing that 60 days of flooding caused no leaf damage. At the same time, they are tolerant of drought due to their ability to stop growing under dry conditions by then producing a second-growth flush when conditions later improve, even if growth has stopped for 2 weeks. A. rubrum
4968-605: Was a hideout for runaway slaves from the surrounding area. Recent research showed that thousands of Great Dismal Swamp maroons lived in the swamp between the 1600s and 1865. Harriet Beecher Stowe 's Dred: A Tale of the Great Dismal Swamp is based on them. While all efforts to drain the swamp failed, logging of the swamp proved to be a successful commercial activity. Logging operations continued as late as 1976. The entire swamp has been logged at least once, and many areas have been burned by periodic wildfires . Agricultural, commercial, and residential development destroyed much of
5040-509: Was created by the 1971 General Assembly to preserve and protect certain free flowing rivers, their water quality and their adjacent lands for the benefit of present and future generations. The Natural and Scenic Rivers Act established criteria and methods for inclusion of components to the system. Components of the Natural and Scenic Rivers System are State Rivers, and are also units of the State Parks System. Some units have been formally removed from
5112-481: Was introduced into the United Kingdom in 1656 and shortly thereafter entered cultivation. There it is frequently found in many parks and yards. Red maple is a good choice of a tree for urban areas when there is ample room for its root system. Forming an association with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi can help A. rubrum grow along city streets. It is more tolerant of pollution and road salt than sugar maples, although
5184-624: Was made possible in North Carolina. The park covers 14,432 acres (58.40 km) of protected land on the North Carolina/ Virginia border. Park offices are 3 miles (4.8 km) south of the border on U.S. Route 17 near South Mills. Features of the park include the canal which is used regularly by boaters using the Intracoastal Waterway and several miles of hiking and biking trails. By 1650, few American Indians remained in
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