This is one of the few edges on the island that was not cleared for fields during the years this area was farmed. The trees growing here are evergreens known as white cedar and eastern hemlock. Hemlock is a long-lived tree able to grow in the shade. It is considered a representative of succession's climax in Vermont ecosystems. Some of the large hemlocks here are over 200 years old.

Few other plants can live with so little light, making the ground under the hemlocks nearly bare save for a few types of mushrooms.

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