The northern hardwood forests of the Anthracite Region

Abstract

The northern hardwood type forest is found only in the northern counties of the Anthracite Region. It dominates the highlands from Sullivan County on the west, to Monroe County on the east. The early lumbermen back in the 1860's, according to Illick and Frontz, "found (some) valleys, hillsides and mountains covered with a dense growth of enormous white pine and hemlock, among which were splendid specimens of hardwoods". White pine and hemlock were about the only trees cut prior to 1900, but since then the hardwoods have increased in value so that now even the poorest species are in demand. As the softwoods were removed they were replaced by beech, birch, maple, cherry, ash, and basswood - trees commonly associated with the northern hardwood type.

Citation

Burnham, C. F.; Ferree, M. J.; Cunningham, F. E. 1947. The northern hardwood forests of the Anthracite Region. Station Paper NE-1. Philadelphia, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 31 p.