Carson Road Woods

07/18/2022

The Wineberries are perfect right now. With a little rain this evening the blackberries may still have a fighting chance.

06/11/2022

If you haven't been out on the CRW trails recently, you are missing out! The fragrance of the Honeysuckle and Border Privet are intoxicating as one passes through areas populated by one or both.

04/24/2022

Friday a volunteer team from BMS arrived at CRW with gloves and clippers to assist in Spring prep along the trails. There was much accomplished, learned, and enjoyed by all. Thank you all for your effort and newfound appreciation for all that CRW has to offer.

04/04/2022

Spring Beauties are showing up in and along turf trails and spreading into the wooded understory. They certainly do live up to their name with delicate pink peppermint stripes. Technically named 'Virginia' Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) by John Clayton in 1762, however its habitat is from Georgia to Nova Scotia and west into Texas. Fun Fact: the root of this flower was eaten during colonial times and was essential for the survival of colonialists during harsh winters where other food was scarce. Also, the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation has listed this flower as one that creates significant value for native bees. Enjoy their signaling of Spring's arrival.

02/26/2022

This 'Ice Art' along the trail captured my attention and I find the more I look at it the more I see and appreciate the intricacy, nuance, and shading. WOW!

07/09/2021

Tropical Storm Elsa left a lot of rain behind, and after the rains earlier in the week resulted in standing water that forced our hand to reschedule our 'edible exploration' of CRW one week later, Saturday July 17, same time, same place. Sorry for the inconvenience, but your shoes will thank us next week (hopefully).

07/09/2021

** POSTPONED ** The LHT Walking Club 'edible tour' of Carson Road Woods is being postponed one week until Saturday 7/17 at 9:30 AM due to the recent and significant amounts of rainfall this week. The route will remain the same, so please see that prior posting for more info - Be sure to check for last-minute changes here:

LHT SATURDAY MORNING WALKING CLUB Saturday Morning Walking Club Saturday Morning Walking and the anniversary of Carson Road Woods Join us Saturday, July 10th, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Carson Road Woods with a special edition Saturday Morning Walking Club. We will meander through the...

06/30/2021

On Saturday 7/10 9:30 am the LHT monthly walking club descends on Carson Road Woods for a segment discovery walk. Each month they highlight a different portion of the LHT. In June there were 55 participants so I'm afraid it won't be a private tour by any means but a great way to get more familiar with CRW. There will be maps and descriptions of noted points of interest (most edible). The route will take us on turf and forest trails, so be mindful of ticks, poison ivy, and possible soggy areas in the forest so proper shoes and attire are recommended. More details in the link below:

https://centraljersey.com/2021/06/27/carson-road-woods-celebrates-20th-anniversary/

06/26/2021

Black Raspberries are just about ripe - These are wild so don't be fooled and pick the red ones, and even the purple ones shown here are not fully ripe. The darker the sweeter and more fragrant in these small beauties! The canes have a blue hue and easily differentiated from blackberries.

06/25/2021

The Cicadas are finally winding down, but their presence is still obvious. Notice the dead branch tips where they have deposited their eggs. There must be a symbiotic relationship for both tree and insect, and there is no question that they prefer some tree species over others. Gone again until 2038!

06/19/2021

Hay - Would you look at that - It's being Wuffled!

Yes, Cherry Grove is busy cutting, tedding, wuffling, and bailing the hay fields in CRW.

FYI: A tedder (being pulled behind the orange tractor pictured) is a machine used in haymaking. It is used after cutting and before windrowing and uses moving forks to aerate or "wuffle" the hay and thus speed up the process of hay-making. The use of a tedder allows the hay to dry better, which results in improved aroma and color

06/06/2021

New Discovery - a Catalpa (also known as a Cigar Tree because of its long bean-like fruits). The flowers look like orchids and are part of big groups of blooms. Leaves are large and heart-shaped. The leaves are eaten by a caterpillar called the Catalpa Sphinx, highly sought after as bait in the South. The adult moths can have 3-4" wingspan!