Mattaponi Bluffs Nature Trail Guide

Welcome to Zoar State Forest Nature Trail. Using this brochure, you take a self-guided tour of this trail. A brochure is also available for the Herring Creek Trail. Markers have been placed along the trails in order to interpret what you see and to help you gain a deeper appreciation of the special qualities this area has to offer. Most of all, pause to use your senses on your visit - sights, sounds, smells, and touch - all will give you an opportunity to learn more about this place. Please remember to leave only footprints, and take only photographs and memories with you, so that others may enjoy their visit. Help keep the forest a special place by kindly taking the litter you generate on your visit with you as you leave. Enjoy your visit and come again soon, for each visit will offer a different sensory experience in this changing place.

Mattaponi Bluffs Nature Trail - (1 Mile)

Stop #1

You are now standing on an upland bluff. The vegetation is noticeably different from the plants and trees below you. While water is the major factor which determines this, sunlight and soil nutrients also play a part.

Stop #2

Fifty feet down the bluff lies the Mattaponi River floodplain. After long periods of heavy rain, much of the area is covered with water. The plants and animals that live there must be able to tolerate these periodic high water conditions.

Stop #3

Many of these bottomland trees have adapted to the fluctuating water table by developing wide spreading shallow root systems and buttressed tree trunks which help support the trees. Bottomland forests are forested wetlands that serve important functions as filters for rainwater runoff and help recharge shallow water aquifers.

Stop #4

Notice the large beech tree to your left. This tree has cavities in it, probably the result of the wet conditions which made this tree a host for a variety of insects and fungi. Trees with cavities provide needed nesting, foraging and winter cover for squirrels, raccoons, owls, wood ducks, woodpeckers and a variety of songbirds.

Stop #5

This little freshwater pool is full of life. The aquatic plants produce oxygen and slow flood waters. They trap sediment and remove nutrients and pollutants from the water. Insect larvae mature here while whitetail deer pause to quench their thirst.

Stop #6

The Mattaponi River wanders from its headwaters in Spotsylvania County southeast to West Point where it meets the Pamunkey River to form the York River. Now principally used for recreation, the river remains a constant force in reshaping the landscape. Notice how soil cut from the outside of the riverbend is redeposited further down river on the inner bend.

Stop #7

This stop features two large specimens of typical bottomland tree species. Behind you the green ash prefers direct sunlight and moist sites. It has a shallow root system and exhibits rapid growth. The swamp chestnut oak to your left also prefers these same growing conditions, but is a slower growing species.

Stop #8

When the ground is saturated with water and strong winds move along the river, some trees are not able to withstand these forces and topple over. Others die of old age, disease, insect attacks or lightning strikes. When they die, insects and microorganisms begin the process of decomposition. This process breaks the tree into tiny pieces of organic matter. These nutrients are then used by other plants.

Stop #9

Two of the most dominant vines you will see in this area are poison ivy and greenbriar. Poison ivy is easily distinguishable by it clusters of three leaves and white berries when in season. Greenbriar is distinguished by green stems, heavy thorns, waxy leaves, and black colored berries. While both plants are a nuisance to us, whitetail deer make greenbriar a regular part of their diet, and songbirds feast on the berries of both plants in the fall and winter.

Stop #10

Notice the twin-trunked tree near the river. It has been gnawed extensively by beaver. These large wounds allow fungus to enter the tree. Beaver feed on the inner bark, leaves and twigs of more than forty woody plants. Active for about twelve hours each night, feeding and working on their dams, it is easy to see how the expression "busy as a beaver" originated.

Stop #11

You are now standing on an outer curve of the Mattaponi River. The water is undercutting this bank and the trees on it. Occasionally a tree ends up in the river. A certain amount of sediment and nutrient loading to the river and Chesapeake Bay is a natural phenomenon. However, excessive erosion and sedimentation caused by poor management of the land can have very detrimental effects on water quality in the Bay. This can adversely affect both fish and wildlife.

Stop #12

The bridge you just crossed was constructed by the Youth Conservation Corps. Local Boy scouts and other groups have also contributed to the development of Zoar State Forest. If you live nearby and would like to become a volunteer, give us a call.

Stop #13

This old river channel contains a wide assortment of ferns and wetland plants. These plants are perennials, which means they grow back from their roots each spring after dying back to the ground each winter. One of these plants is the arrowhead plant, which grows a single purple flower stalk in midsummer and has arrowhead-shaped leaves. Another is jewelweed which has tiny yellow flowers. It was called this peculiar name by early settlers due to the ability of its juices to help prevent the spread of poison ivy !

Stop #14

You have now returned to the top of the bluff. Here we see wild azalea, a small understory shrub. It has light green fuzzy leaves and small pink to white blossoms in late spring and early summer. Mountain laurel is also located here. It is a larger evergreen shrub with dark, shiny leaves. In the winter, this spot provides a good vista of the floodplain and river below you.

Stop #15

Notice that these trees are less hardy looking. This is due to the poorer soils present as well as past management practices. This area was selectively logged years ago. In the process, the larger dominant trees were removed, leaving smaller suppressed trees. Small openings were created in the canopy allowing just enough sunlight in to favor plants that grow well in shady conditions. One of these trees is the flowering dogwood, the state tree of Virginia.

You may now descend the steps to the Canoe Parking area. From there you can continue on to the Herring Creek Nature Trail or stop by the Herring Creek Canoe Access area. If you would prefer to stop your visit at this time, turn around and head back to the Trail Parking area.

Last modified: Thursday, 13-Mar-2008 16:31:31 EDT