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A Report on the Status of Forested Land
of Emory University
July 19861
Summary
The objective of this report is to provide information about the location
and status of natural forests on Emory University property. As Emory enters
a period of rapid development, this information will be essential to administrators,
who increasingly will be called upon to make wise decisions in their roles
as stewards of Emory's natural resources. The forests of Emory University
include unique, near-pristine hardwood forests with rare and diverse species,
mature hardwood forests affected by some degree of human alteration and
relatively common second growth pine stands. We believe that the nearoriginal,
hardwood forests should be preserved undisturbed, because they represent
a unique and valuable natural resource of scientific, educational and
aesthetic value. Other mature hardwood forest lands should be given careful
environmental assessment before they are considered for alteration or
development.
Figure
1
Introduction
Some of the best-preserved, hardwood forests in the entire Piedmont Province2
of the southeastern U.S. occur on property belonging to Emory University.
The very finest of Emory forests occur within the Lullwater Estate and
on north-facing slopes and ravines bordered by the South Fork of Peachtree
Creek. These and additional forests are described below and their locations
shown in Figure 1.
Mature uncut forests are rare in Georgia south of the Appalachian mountains.
Most original forests of the Piedmont region were removed and the land
used for growth of cotton, corn and other crops. After the collapse of
southern agriculture in the early part of this century because of soil
depletion and the boll weevil, much of the land reverted to "second growth"
forests whose species composition and ecological character are very different
from the original Piedmont forests.
For a number of reasons, including perhaps its rolling topography, most
of the land in and around Atlanta was never given over to cropland. Residential
areas of metro-Atlanta are among the most attractive in the country because
of an abundance of trees that were part of an extensive primal forest.
Until recently, scattered remnants of the original Piedmont forest were
common in metro-Atlanta. Most of these have been destroyed in the wake
of explosive urban development that has characterized the past two decades.
Mature forests like those at Emory are self-perpetuating, complex associations
of living species, the products of millions of years of evolution and
are virtually impossible to replace or recreate if lost. The Emory forests
represent a natural resource even more valuable than the much-acclaimed
Fernbank Forest in terms of the diversity of species, the presence of
rare and endangered species and the absence of human disturbance. In nearby
Fernbank forest, the canopy is similar in species composition to what
it was centuries ago, but the herb layer on the forest floor has been
greatly disturbed. Several forests on Emory property, especially the one
bordered by Wesley Woods and Peachtree Creek are near-original throughout.
Such intact communities are exceedingly rare!
The future well-being of the human species will hinge on the depth of
our understanding of the natural resources which provide our most basic
needs, and on the depth of our commitment to responsible stewardship of
these resources. Providing students with a sound ecological perspective
on the world should be an essential part of any liberal arts curriculum.
Emory, with its multidisciplinary program in Human and Natural Ecology
and its well-funded research programs in forest ecology is in an excellent
position to provide students with a solid grounding in the principles
of ecology and population biology. Emory is unique among major universities
and colleges by being endowed with a wealth of natural resources adjacent
to the campus where students can acquire first-hand experience in the
scientific study of the structure and function of ecosystems. This experience
in understanding natural systems is essential to the liberal education
of those citizens who will make critical societal decisions in the future.
Description of Forests
Forested land owned by Emory is shown in color in Figure
1. The color red denotes the unique forests which are best-preserved
and contain rare and endangered species. The green areas are mature hardwood
forests that have sustained some degree of human disturbance. The areas
in yellow are second growth pine forests which have grown over abandoned
pasture or cropland, and which are common in the southeastern U.S.
Lullwater Estate
The forests of Lullwater are an integral part of a complex and beautiful
natural area, which includes Candler Lake. The forests surrounding the
lake enhance the beauty of the whole area, but in addition, they serve
as a watershed to channel clean water into the lake, prevent erosion and
serve as a natural habitat for a variety of wildlife. These natural forested
areas provide Emory students, faculty, staff and friends with a quiet
and beautiful place for fellowship, recreation, and a respite from the
hectic pace of modern day life. In addition, the area provides birdwatchers
and naturalists with enjoyment and discovery, particularly during the
spring migrations of numerous bird species.
Last year Emory students used nearby forests of the Lullwater Estate
in five different courses involving hundreds of students. In General Biology,
242 students had an outdoor laboratory in which they collected data to
determine how species change along an environmental gradient and in the
introductory course for nonmajors, (Concepts of Biology) 103 students
participated in an ecology lab designed to introduce them to forest systems
as an example of the diversity and unity of the natural world. Our Ecology
course with 44 students used the Lullwater property in six laboratories
in which they studied stream, lake and forest habitats and learned how
to sample natural communities and interpret the data. Nine students in
Plant Population Biology used the forests extensively throughout the spring
semester to sample and analyze the structure of natural populations and
to learn the identity and characteristics of its many component species.
The 23 students in Vertebrate Population Biology had one formal laboratory
at Lullwater, but 10 students in this course used the property throughout
the spring semester for their required research projects.
The 12-15 acres of forest adjacent to the main road into Lullwater (Figure
1, no. 1) is a mature beech-oak forest traversed by two creeks that
feed into Lullwater Lake. Dominant species of the towering canopy include:
Beech, Tulip Poplar and Northern Red Oak. The understory includes an abundance
of Dogwood, Chalk Sugar Maple and Umbrella Magnolia, and the forest floor
supports a variety of shrubs and native wildflowers. Here occurs a rare
and unusual vine called the Starvine. This species' closest relative is
found in Southeast Asia.
In 1975, the Smithsonian Institution proposed that Starvine (Schizandra
glabra) be included as a threatened species on the proposed federal list
of endangered and threatened species. An abundance of animal life is supported
in these areas because the creeks seldom run dry.
The 30-40 acres of forest on the hill immediately south of Candler Lake
(Figure 1, no. 2) is an extension of the forest just described. Mature
stands of Beech, Northern Red Oak, White Oak, Basswood and Umbrella Magnolia
occur in the several ravines, and grade into a variety of oaks, hickories,
maples and other species at the higher and drier sites. Unusual sites
in this area include a major ravine, which has the Emory Woman's Club
nature trail, at one end and a spring-fed pond at the other end. Between
the trail and pond occur examples of unusual species including Hazelnut,
Mountain Laurel, an exceedingly rare white-flowered form of the native
Sweet Shrub and one of the finest populations of Yellow Lady's Slipper
to be found south of the north Georgia mountains. The latter species is
on Georgia's rare and endangered plant list.
Another hardwood forest of 15-20 acres occurs on a west-facing slope
bordering Peachtree Creek to the east (Figure 1, no.3).
It is our understanding that approximately five acres at the crest of
the hill has been sold to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
and will be the site of their new headquarters building. This forest has
a well-developed canopy of Beech and Tulip Poplar near the creek, and
grades into oaks, hickories and Tulip Poplar upslope. The forest stabilizes
the slope and provides an important buffer between the Lullwater Estate
and the commercial and residential areas associated with Clairmont Road.
This forest was used by the students in General Biology as a field laboratory
site.
Wesley Woods/ Peachtree Creek
This 15-20 acres of north-facing slope which borders the South Fork of
Peachtree Creek (Figure 1, no. 4) was a rare forest
type even when the Indians roamed the territory. Today it is one of the
finest mature hardwood forests to be found anywhere in the Piedmont of
Georgia. The uniqueness of this forest is due to the rich diversity of
plant species which occupy the moist protected slopes along the creek.
Many of these species are uncommon to the region, in part because of human
disturbance which has eliminated similar habitats and in part because
few of these areas ever existed in the region. This special Piedmont forest
is equivalent to the magnificent, cove hardwood forest of the Appalachians.
The canopy is dominated by Beech, Northern Red Oak, White Oak, Tulip
Poplar and Pignut Hickory accompanied by an abundance of Hop Hornbeam,
Silver Bell and two species of magnolia, the Umbrella Magnolia and Big-leaf
Magnolia. The latter species is a handsome, but rare, tree with showy
fragrant flowers and huge leaves up to 30 inches in length. The area is
bisected by a relatively clean creek rich with animal life and has a tremendous
diversity of unusual shrubs, vines and herbs. The presence of dominant
forest trees in various stages of maturity is evidence that this forest
is a self-regenerating system.
Here in this relatively undisturbed forest the rare and endangered Starvine
is more abundant than at any other known site in the southeastern U.S.3
Other rare plants that are members of this forest community include the
Chinkapin Oak, American Bladdernut, and Turk's Cap Lily. The forest floor
in Spring is ablaze with a great variety of flowering herbs including
several species of Trillium, Phlox, Windflower, Bloodroot, Liverleaf,
Wild Ginger, May Apple, Foam Flower, Doll's 'Eyes, a variety of violets
and many other native species.
Houston Mill House Forest
A natural and cultural gem is the only way to describe the 10-12 acres
of hardwood forest on the slope between the Houston Mill House and Peachtree
Creek (Figure 1, no. 5). The site combines interesting
natural and cultural features in a way which is unique to metro-Atlanta.
The natural setting is a ravine with a clear-running creek, and surrounded
by large trees of Tulip Poplar, Beech, White Oak, Northern Red Oak, and
Elm. The girth of some trees reach the impressive size of three to five
feet! The understory includes the rare Big-leaf Magnolia, Hop Hornbeam,
wild Azaleas, and a diversity of shrubs. The forest floor is carpeted
with a rich variety of wild species.
The stream is fed from a natural spring, which was the source of water
for the main house of the former Harris Estate (the present Houston Mill
House). Concrete steps descend into the ravine from behind the house.
In the ravine itself, stairs wrap around two huge concrete cisterns, which
formerly held water for the house, and ascend to a well-preserved, beautifully-constructed,
stone spring house, where spring water still bubbles forth. The concrete
stairs and path return to the Houston Mill House by a circuitous route.
Currently, fallen trees and debris cover much of the concrete stairs
and pathway through the forest. This area, which recalls a way of life
known to most of us only in books, could be restored to its former natural
and cultural state with proper interest and planning. We would be happy
to assist in efforts to reclaim this site in the future so that it can
be enjoyed by members of the Emory Community.
Other Forested Areas
In addition to these three unique forested areas, Emory University has
a cluster of forest parcels which are remnants of a more extensive forest
which was connected to Wesley Woods and Lullwater, but these areas have
been disturbed in a variety of ways throughout their history. The canopy
dominants are generally oaks, hickories, and pine with a few unusual species
like the magnolias and Silver Bell. The herbaceous plants include among
others, Trillium, May Apple, and Blood Root. These areas are shown in
green in Figure 1 and include forests-in and around
the lower athletic field and Peavine Creek (Figure
1, no. 6) and a large area between Yerkes and Gatewood Drive (Figure
1, no.7).
Recommendations
We believe that the near-pristine hardwood forest lands depicted in red,
(Figure 1) are of irreplaceable scientific, educational
and aesthetic value, and should be preserved undisturbed for use by future
generations of Emory students, staff and faculty. The mature hardwood
forests (green, Figure 1) should not be seriously
altered without an environmental assessment and the development of an
ecologically sound land-use plan. Those forests shown in yellow (Figure
1) occupy land which was drastically altered in the past and while
valuable, they do not represent a rare, unusual or irreplaceable forest
system.
1Prepared by W.H. Murdy and M.E.B. Carter, Biology
Department; read and approved by H.L. Ragsdale, D.J. Shure and C.W. Berish,
Biology Department.
2The Piedmont Province is the region of gently rolling topography
north of the Fall Line and south of the mountains of north Georgia.
3Ettman, David. 1980. A study of Schizandra glabra (Brickell)
Rheder, a rare species endemic to the southeastern U.S. MS Thesis, Emory
University.
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