top of page
2015
Otter Tracks
Wharf view upriver
c. 1914
Artifacts (Courtesy Nabb Center)
George and Zipporah Price Vaults
1856
Living Room
View to the River
View from the River
c. 1947 from the SW
pic12

   This 240 acre forest was purchased by Wicomico County in 1997 using Program Open Space funds as part of the Pirates Wharf Park acquisition. It appears that at some time in the past the original ancient forest was removed and the land was cleared and ditched. It is likely that the cleared fields were abandoned around 1920 (give or take a few decades). Following abandonment tree seeds still existing in the soil, or carried in by animals, or blown in by the wind from surrounding forests, enabled a new forest to grow. Most likely, the new forest had the same species composition as the former forest but the trees were much younger. As the decades passed, however, the trees grew and the forest recovered.

 

  Today the forest consists of towering red oaks, white oaks, willow oaks, hickories, red maples, sweet gum, black gum, loblolly pine, and beech. Shorter trees include American holly, dogwood, sassafras, and serviceberry. Shrubs include blueberry, deer berry, huckleberry, and viburnum. There are many ferns and herbaceous plants (including gentian) that grow in the forest too. Many birds and animal species live in the forest as well. Turtles, frogs, and salamanders have all been found there. Unfortunately there has never been a complete biological inventory of the forest.

   

the Forest  at Pirate's  Wharf

Honor, Preserve,   Enjoy

   The forest is now almost 100 years old, and is one of only a few publicly accessible mature native forests in Wicomico County. The size and diversity of this forest makes it important ecologically. Much of it is forested wetland, and migratory birds take advantage of the food and fresh water it provides. Luckily it is publically owned parkland. Currently it appears the County administration and the State Forester may not recognize its potential ecological and recreational value of letting it remain “as is” and is developing plans to have it logged in some fashion.

   In 2002, concerned with the same approach by the previous County administration, and attempting to forestall the logging, Dr. Joan Maloof dedicated the forest to the victims of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks. She and a team of volunteers made tags with the names and ages of the approximately three thousand victims and tied them to three thousand trees in the forest. The United States Forest Service has the forest listed in their Living Memorials Project, which includes 9/11 forests throughout the nation.

   Today, in 2016, the forest still stands. Let’s work together to keep it standing.

   For more information click here.

 

Sign Our Petition Here To

Help Save the Forest!

bottom of page