Meeting of the Pines Natural Area

Meeting of the Pines Natural Area
Map showing the location of Meeting of the Pines Natural Area
Map showing the location of Meeting of the Pines Natural Area
Location within Pennsylvania
LocationFranklin County, Pennsylvania
Nearest townMont Alto
Coordinates39°50′19″N 77°31′55″W / 39.8387°N 77.5319°W / 39.8387; -77.5319
Area611 acres (247 ha)
Established1974

Meeting of the Pines Natural Area is a 611-acre (247 ha) protected area in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of Michaux State Forest.[1][2]

Description

The Natural Area was established in 1974 to preserve a forest grove containing five of the six species of pine tree that are native to Pennsylvania, and to allow natural forest propagation processes.[2] The area includes some of the few specimens of shortleaf pine to be found in the northeastern United States.[1]

Meeting of the Pines Natural Area is adjacent to the Penn State Mont Alto campus, and across PA 233 from Mont Alto State Park. The area is frequently the site of forestry research by the university.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b "Michaux State Forest Wild and Natural Areas". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  2. ^ a b Fergus, Charles (2002). Natural Pennsylvania: Exploring the State Forest Natural Areas. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. pp. 31–34.
  3. ^ Hunter, Nick B.; Swisher, Kenneth J. (October–December 1983). "Arboreal Composition of a Pennsylvania Natural Area: Past, Present and Future". Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club. 110 (4): 507–518. doi:10.2307/2996285. JSTOR 2996285.