It appears that I saw about a dozen plants which had accompanied man as far into the woods as Chesuncook, and had naturalized themselves there, in 1853. Plants begin thus early to spring by the side of a logging-path,—a mere vista through the woods, which can only be used in the winter, on account of the stumps and fallen trees,—which at length are the roadside plants in old settlements. The pioneers of such are planted in part by the first cattle, which cannot be summered in the woods.
III. LIST OF PLANTS
The following is a list of the plants which I noticed in the Maine woods, in the years 1853 and 1857. (Those marked * not in woods.)
1. Those which attained the Height of Trees
Alnus incana (speckled or hoary alder), abundant along streams, etc.
Thuja occidentalis (American arbor-vitæ), one of the prevailing.
Fraxinus sambucifolia (black ash), very common, especially near dead water. The Indian spoke of “yellow ash” as also found there.
Populus tremuloides (American aspen), very common, especially on burnt lands, almost as white as birches.
Populus grandidentata (large-toothed aspen), perhaps two or three.