We often reference the NY Natural Heritage Program community types in our designs and plantings, thereby mimicking nature as best as we can.
Here is an example of a red maple swamp forest persisting in the Massapequa Preserve.
https://guides.nynhp.org/red-maple-hardwood-swamp/
This gem of a forest provides critical wildlife habitat and exists amongst a highly developed LI suburb.
Despite edge effects and the proliferation of invasive plant species, this forest has many of the characteristic plant species—the canopy is comprised primarily of red maple, with an understory packed with summersweet, spicebush, and various ferns such as the cinnamon fern pictured here.
We hope that this habitat inspires your spring garden planning—it is possible to create a small and productive pocket forest even in the smallest of yards! 🌱🌳🌎
