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Tree Scavenger Hunt at Table Rock State Park area
February 24, 2018 @ 10:30 am - 4:30 pm
Tree Scavenger Hunt
Table Rock State Park Area
Pickens County, SC
Regional Director: Rita Zollinger
Do you know the bare-bones difference between tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) and sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)? Or, black birch (Betula lenta) and black cherry (Prunus serotina)? Can you identify them in winter easily without their leaves?
This month we have an exciting opportunity to test our dendrological knowledge. In the winter when the deciduous trees are barren of their foliage, we will learn to identify trees by their bark, twigs, buds and growth habit. Confirming our deductions will be additional clues that trees leave for us, such as undecomposed leaves or by chance some fruits/seeds, if not already consumed by the wildlife.
Ron Lance, author, naturalist and biologist will guide us through the forest on the western side of the Table Rock State Park, giving us clues and tips on how to recognize a variety of hardwoods. There are over 30 species of trees in this mesic woodland including pine, oak, elm, beech, ash, basswood, buckeye, magnolia and 5 species of hickory. A list of the tree diversity will be provided as part of the day’s activity.
The trail terrain is easy. Bring a note book and your sense of adventure to play in the forest.
Location:
Picnic shelter at the Table Rock Retreat and Conference Center, Oliver Ridge Road, Pickens, SC
35°01’20.2″N 82°42’39.8″W
According to Google maps
https://www.google.com/
Directions:
From Columbia Follow I-26 W and I-385 N to Greenville.
Take exit 42 from I-385 N
Take SC-183, Hester Store Rd, SC-135 N and SC-288 W to Hickory Hollow Road.
More details:
From SC 183, turn right onto Thomas Mill Rd. Sphinx station will be on corner.
Turn first left onto Hester Store Road. The Hestor Store Historical landmark on the north side corner.
Cross over Hwy 186 onto Hwy 135 being a slight right merge.
Turn right onto Hwy 8.
Left onto SC 288 Table Rock Road with the Pumpkintown General Store on corner. Go 3.5 miles.
Turn right on Hickory Hollow Road. Go 1.1 miles. Cross over Hwy 11 Road changes name to West Gate Road. Approximately 0.6 miles to Oliver Ridge Road on left.
Take gravel road to picnic shelter.
Via Hwy 11 Cherokee Foothill Highway from I-26
After passing over the lake at Table Rock, Turn right onto West Gate Road.
Go 0.8 miles and stay left at Y. Oliver Ridge Road will be on your right.
Take gravel road to picnic shelter/campround area.
Dinner will be close by at Aunt Sues.
107 Country Creek Dr A, Pickens, SC 29671
Phone (864) 878-4366.
From east end of West Gate Road and Hwy 11 intersection, Aunt Sues is 2.1 miles east on Hwy 11.
This is a fun area with several local specialty shops, such as Aunt Sue’s Mercantile House, The Glass House, The Wood House or Aunt Sue’s Old House!
Come join us!
Trip leader Rita