Intown Ramble
Charles Allen Haynes
March 21, 2022
Preliminary…
Friend across town recommended trekking Herbert Taylor, Daniel Johnson Park and Wildlife Preserve. It’s not a huge complex but there are some very old trees, flowing water and some open land.
I’m looking for wildflowers, lichens, fungus, birds, beetles… the unusual suspects.
Stay tuned…
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Next Morning… 03/21/2022
The combined Herbert Taylor Park and Daniel Johnson Nature Preserve is a real surprise to have in intown Atlanta. From “Champion Trees,”(*) to a wide variety of wildflowers there’s a lot to experience. We were in a group of 7-8 led by Marti Breen, a very knowledge and approachable member of the Morningside Lenox Park Association, accomplished woman, nice lady. Her husband Cal was along and an able contributor. They are members of a group of folks who work on the place and remove as many invasive species of plants as possible. I saw no trash, not even in the creeks. The trails are adequate and well-maintained.
My photography was rudimentary. I didn’t know what to expect and now that I do we can go back and take our time. The smaller species call for a more deliberate approach.
Elaeagnus umbellata Taylor-Johnson Park
Atlanta, Georgia 03/20/2022
Invasive species from China. Low nutritional value for wildlife.
Hexastylis arifolia Taylor-Johnson Park
Atlanta 03/20/2022.
Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense L.) is sometimes confused with Heartleaf.
Hexastylis arifolia Taylor-Johnson Park
Atlanta 03/20/2022.
Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense L.) is sometimes confused with Heartleaf.
Trillium cuneatum - Taylor-Johnson Park
Atlanta, Georgia 03/20/2022
(Trametes?) Taylor-Johnson Park
Atlanta, Georgia, 03/20/2022
Viola sororia Taylor-Johnson Park
Atlanta, Georgia 03/20/2022
Bignonia capreolata Linnaeus
Taylor-Johnson Park, Atlanta, Georgia
March 20, 2022
Podophyllum peltatum Taylor-Johnson Park
Atlanta, Georgia 03/20/2022
(*) The Champion Tree Program recognizes and celebrates Georgia’s largest trees. Georgia Forestry Commission oversees the state’s champion tree program.
A champion tree is defined as the largest known tree of a particular species. To be considered, a tree must meet all of the following criteria:
- It must have an erect woody perennial stem, or trunk, at least 9.5 inches in circumference measured 4.5 feet from the ground.
- It must have a definitely formed crown of foliage and be at least 13 feet in total height.
- It must be a species recognized as native or naturalized in the continental United States.
The GFC uses Elbert L. Little Jr.’s Checklist of United States Trees (Native and Naturalized) to determine eligibility. It was published in 1979 as U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Handbook 541. There are species currently on Georgia’s Champion Tree list not listed in the Handbook because, in the past, any tree species was accepted. The goal is to remove these species over time as those champions cease to exist. Any naturalized tree species considered invasive will not be considered.