Forest communities cover 34% of the park and contain 110 different kinds of trees. NPS Photo / Jeff Oates
A Changing Forest Landscape
Prior to European settlement, the land that would become Pennsylvania was 90-95% forested. In the Valley Forge area, colonists pushed out native peoples and cleared the forests for lumber, agriculture, firewood, and fences, reducing forest cover to approximately 60% by 1777.
During the encampment of George Washington and the Continental Army, almost every tree in what is now the park—and for miles beyond—was cut down for firewood, shelter, and defensive structures. After the army left on June 19, 1778, small woodlots and hedgerows were re-established by farmers. Some areas of the park such as Mount Joy and Wayne’s Woods were re-planted by the Valley Forge Park Commission in the early 20th century. Today, forest communities cover 34% of the park and contain 110 different kinds of trees.
Stiltgrass is considered one of the most damaging invasive plant species in the United States. Infestations spread rapidly and the seed can remain viable in the soil for up to five years. NPS Photo
Managing the Forest Ecosystem
Forest condition was first evaluated in 1983, and was described as excellent. During the last three decades an increasing number of deer has resulted in undesirable changes in the species composition, structure, abundance, and distribution of native plant communities, particularly forests.
Browsing of tree and shrub seedlings by deer has eliminated the ability of forests to regenerate, leading to monocultures of invasive plants, such as Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum).
Management practices focus on the protection, preservation, and restoration of forests and other native plant communities.
Encampment-era Trees
Three American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) trees growing in the park today are likely to have been alive during the Valley Forge encampment in 1777-78. American sycamores make poor firewood, but were used for chopping or butcher's blocks.
1. Lafayette Sycamore
Estimated to be over 300 years old and also considered to be a “William Penn Tree,” meaning that it was likely growing in 1682 when Penn founded the colony of Pennsylvania.
2. Maxwell Sycamore
Circumference: 20.9 feet
Height: 119.9 feet
Spread: 114 feet
3. Pawling Sycamore
Circumference: 21.4 feet
Height: 82.9 feet
Spread: 142 feet
** Non-native tree species****
Beech Family (Fagaceae) - 11 species
| Common Name | Binomial Name |
|---|
| American Beech | Fagus grandifolia |
| American Chestnut | Castanea dentate |
| Black Oak | Quercus velutina |
| Blackjack Oak | Quercus marilandica |
| Chestnut Oak | Quercus montana |
| European Beech ** | Fagus sylvatica ** |
| European Chestnut ** | Castanea sativa ** |
| Northern Red Oak | Quercus rubra |
| Pin Oak | Quercus palustris |
| Scarlet Oak | Quercus coccinea |
| White Oak | Quercus alba |
Birch Family (Betulaceae) - 5 species
| Common Name | Binomial Name |
|---|
| American Hornbeam | Carpinus caroliniana |
| Eastern Hornbeam | Ostrya virginiana |
| River Birch | Betula nigra |
| Sweet Birch | Betula lenta |
| Yellow Birch | Betula alleghaniensis |
Cashew/Sumac Family (Anacardiaceae) - 1 species
| Common Name | Binomial Name |
|---|
| Poison-sumac | Toxicodendron vernix |
Cedar/Cypress Family (Cupressaceae) - 2 species
| Common Name | Binomial Name |
|---|
| Eastern Red Cedar | Juniperus virginiana |
| Eastern White Cedar | Thuja occidentalis |
Custard Apple Family (Annonaceae) - 1 species
| Common Name | Binomial Name |
|---|
| Pawpaw | Asimina triloba |
Dogwood Family (Cornaceae) - 1 species
| Common Name | Binomial Name |
|---|
| Flowering Dogwood | Cornus florida |
Ebony Family (Ebenaceae) - 1 species
| Common Name | Binomial Name |
|---|
| Common Persimmon | Diospyros virginiana |
Elm Family (Ulmaceae) - 3 species
| Common Name | Binomial Name |
|---|
| American Elm | Ulmus americana |
| Hackberry | Celtis occidentalis |
| Slippery Elm | Ulmus rubra |
Figwort Family (Scrophulariaceae) - 1 species
| Common Name | Binomial Name |
|---|
| Princess Tree** | Paulownia tomentosa** |
Ginseng Family (Aralliaceae) - 1 species
| Common Name | Binomial Name |
|---|
| Devils-walking-stick | Aralia spinosa |
Holly Family (Aquifoliaceae) - 1 species
| Common Name | Binomial Name |
|---|
| American Holly | Ilex opaca |
Honeysuckle Family (Caprifoliaceae) - 1 species
| Common Name | Binomial Name |
|---|
| Blackhaw Viburnum | Viburnum prunifolium |
Laurel Family (Lauraceae) - 1 species
| Common Name | Binomial Name |
|---|
| Sassafras | Sassafras albidum |
Linden Family (Tiliaceae) - 1 species
| Common Name | Binomial Name |
|---|
| American Basswood | Tilia americana |
Magnolia Family (Magnoliaceae) - 2 species
| Common Name | Binomial Name |
|---|
| Cucumbertree | Magnolia acuminate |
| Tuliptree | Liriodendron tulipifera |
Maple Family (Aceraceae) - 5 species
| Common Name | Binomial Name |
|---|
| Boxelder | Acer negundo |
| Norway Maple** | Acer platanoides** |
| Red Maple | Acer rubrum |
| Silver Maple | Acer saccharinum |
| Sugar Maple | Acer saccharum |
Olive Family (Oleaceae) - 2 species
| Common Name | Binomial Name |
|---|
| Green Ash | Fraxinus pennsylvanica |
| White Ash | Fraxinus americana |
Pea Family (Fabaceae) - 5 species
| Common Name | Binomial Name |
|---|
| Black Locust | Robinia pseudoacacia |
| Bristly Locust | Robinia hispida** |
| Honeylocust | Gleditsia triacanthos |
| Redbud | Cercis canadensis |
| Kentucky Coffeetree | Gymnocladus dioicus |
Pine Family (Pinaceae) - 6 species
| Common Name | Binomial Name |
|---|
| Eastern Hemlock | Tsuga Canadensis |
| Eastern White Pine | Pinus strobus |
| European Larch** | Larix decidua** |
| Norway Spruce** | Picea abies** |
| Red Pine** | Pinus resinosa** |
| Scots Pine** | Pinus sylvestris** |
Quassia Family (Simaroubaceae) - 1 species
| Common Name | Binomial Name |
|---|
| Tree-of-heaven** | Ailanthus altissima** |
Rose Family (Rosaceae) - 4 species
| Common Name | Binomial Name |
|---|
| Black Cherry | Prunus serotina |
| Dotted Hawthorn | Crataegus punctata |
| Serviceberry | Amelanchier arborea |
| Smooth Serviceberry | Amelanchier laevis |
Sycamore Family (Platanaceae) - 1 species
| Common Name | Binomial Name |
|---|
| American Sycamore | Platanus occidentalis |
Tupelo Family (Nyssaceae) - 1 species
| Common Name | Binomial Name |
|---|
| Black Tupelo | Nyssa sylvatica |
Walnut Family (Juglandaceae) - 7 species
| Common Name | Binomial Name |
|---|
| Bitternut Hickory | Carya cordiformis |
| Black Walnut | Juglans nigra |
| Butternut | Juglans cinera |
| Mockernut Hickory | Carya tomentosa |
| Pignut Hickory | Carya glabra |
| Shagbark Hickory | Carya ovata |
| Sweet Pignut Hickory | Carya ovalis |
Willow Family (Salicaceae) - 6 species
| Common Name | Binomial Name |
|---|
| Bigtooth Aspen | Populus grandidentata |
| Black Willow | Salix nigra |
| Cottonwood | Populus deltoids |
| Crack Willow** | Salix fragilis** |
| Weeping Willow** | Salix babylonica** |
| White Poplar** | Populus alba** |
Witch-Hazel Family (Hamamelidaceae) - 1 species
| Common Name | Binomial Name |
|---|
| Sweetgum | Liguidambar styraciflua |
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- Valley Forge National Historical Park
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