Belden Forest

Belden Forest
Belden Forest in 2021
LocationSimsbury, Connecticut
Coordinates41°52′18″N 72°48′15″W / 41.871640°N 72.804106°W / 41.871640; -72.804106
Area40 acres (16 ha)

Belden Forest is a 40-acre (16 ha) wooded area owned by the Town of Simsbury, which was inducted into the Old-Growth Forest Network in October 2019.[1] The trails are open to the public.[2]

The property was previously part of the summer residence and estate of Amos R. Eno,[3] and was acquired by the Town of Simsbury in 1946.[4] The forest includes a large stand of old eastern white pines; many of which are over 100 feet tall. It also has beech trees, eastern hemlocks, oaks, maples and birch trees.[5] All of the trees in the forest are permanently protected from commercial logging.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Forest Dedication: Belden Forest - Our First Connecticut Forest!". Old-Growth Forest Network. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  2. ^ "Local forest is first in state recognized by Old-Growth Forest Network". Today Magazine Online. Oct 25, 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  3. ^ Marteka, Peter (April 8, 2011). "Belden Forest In Simsbury Offers Thrills And Inspiration". The Hartford Courant. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  4. ^ "Forest Dedication: Belden Forest - Our First Connecticut Forest!". Old-Growth Forest Network. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  5. ^ "Belden Forest". Old-Growth Forest Network. Retrieved 17 January 2021. The white pines are the grandest trees in this forest, and some cores show them to be around 150 years old. One was measured to be 144 feet tall.
  6. ^ "Local forest is first in state recognized by Old-Growth Forest Network". Today Magazine Online. Oct 25, 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2021.