FOREST THINNING Traditional Cache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(regular)
Related Web Page
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
This cache is a regular green metal 20cal. ammo box container located in the Nassahegon State Forest. Just off the white dot in blue blazed trail.
This forest is named after the second Poquonnock chief known to the English under the form of Nosahogan, but whose true name was Nassahegon or Nesaheagun. The Indians of Farmington are known as the Tunxis tribe. They had a camping ground also at Simsbury, and claimed all the territory west of that place as far as the Ousatonic river. They are spoken of by Mr. J. W. Barber in his "Historical Collections," as a numerous and warlike tribe; but Mr. J. W. DeForest, in his "History of the Indians of Connecticut," estimates their number at "eighty to one hundred warriors, or about four hundred individuals." Whatever other chiefs they may have had, the authority of Nassahegon seems to have been recognized, and also the necessity of securing his consent in the disposal of lands.
Nassahegon State Forest, located entirely in the town of Burlington, is approximately 1,352 acres. This forest was originally designated in 1926 to protect the watershed for Belden Brook, its tributaries and associated springs. These are the water sources for the state fish hatchery, the Burlington Trout Hatchery, It is actively managed for forest products, wildlife habitat and a variety of recreational activities, including hunting, hiking and birdwatching.
This area was a mature red pine plantation until the 1980s. The trees were dying from exotic insect attack and were harvested for their wood. All the trees you see now regenerated naturally! Take a close look at the sprays of hemlock foliage. If you examine the underside of the short, flat needles, you may see the white cottony egg masses of the hemlock woolly adelgid. Or, you may see evidence of another less-publicized exotic insect, the hemlock elongate scale. The scale will appear as a tiny elongated tan or brown fleck attached to the underside of the needle. In some areas, this insect is causing greater damage to hemlock than the notorious hemlock woolly adelgid.
Forest thinning gives these trees a better chance. These younger forest stands add to the diversity of wildlife habitat, and lead to a forest that is healthier overall and better able to withstand natural disasters. When the forest contains trees of a variety of ages and species and consists of a variety of forest cover types, potential disasters such as hurricanes or insect and disease outbreaks are less likely to be as devastating.
Park off of Punch Brook Road. Please do not block the DEP gate. If you park in the town recreation area lot, be careful walking across the street to the State Forest. Bright orange clothing is recommended for hunting season, October to December. Walk past the gate and down the forest access road it will become a White- dot- in- Blue Blaze Trail. The cache is located a bit off trail but thinning makes it easy to get to.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
N ybaryl juvgr ovepu fgnaqf n srj srrg sebz n ynetr ebpx