Evergreen Trail at Oak Openings Preserve
White Pines
The evergreen trail (or pine trail) as its name indicates is a 1.9 mile trail through some of the pine forests of Oak Openings Preserve.
At least a portion of the trail goes through pine forests. This trail is in transition you might say.
A trail in transition
The first and last sections of the evergreen trail still do go through the pine forests but the largest section of the trail is going through a major transition. A large section of pines located at the corner of Reed and Wilkins roads has been clear cut.
This is a part of the Metroparks plan to thin many of the dead and dying pines. Basically the pine trees were falling in on themselves. They have been left to "fend for themselves" for many years with no management. The years were catching up with them. (read more about the pine tree thinning at Oak Openings)
The trail leaves from the Buehner Center at Mallard Lake (as do most of the hiking trails) and goes around the south end of Mallard Lake. It enters the first portion of pine forest here.
The trail goes across Wilkins road and in to the cleared portion of pine forest. This section is through a large open area of dunes. The Metroparks will be restoring this area after the clearing of the pines. It will be very interesting to watch this section return to its pre-pine state.
The Metroparks will plant native species after clearing all remnants of the pine forest. Other native plants that have long since been dormant under the pine needles will begin to grow again now that sun light will reach the ground. Eventually the area will be a tall grass prairie similar to Campbell prairie (where Karner Blue Butterflies have been reintroduced).
In a few years the dunes that have been cleared of their pine needles will once again be home to rare plants and animals.
The trail crosses Reed Road and in to some more pine forest. After crossing back across Wilkins Road it heads back to the Buehner Center.
Good for the Senses
I have to admit that I prefer the native prairies and oak forests over the pine forests, but I will confess that the pine forests are good the the senses. The pines smell nice all year round. The wind through the pines is a very calming sound. And there is a section after the trail crosses Reed Road that looks like it could be a haunted forest. The pines here are very scraggly with low hanging dead branches. It is very dark and a little spooky some times.
Have a nice walk on the Evergreen Trail
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