Station C

More Than One Way to Climb a Tree  (U4)

At least fifteen different species of climbing plants occur at Salter Grove.  Despite not having a vertical stem that could support weight, they all manage to rise to impressive heights where there is sufficient light for photosynthesis.   

At this observation station, you can see the respective approaches of three climbers as they hitchhike their way up to a better light environment on a Norway maple sapling and a sycamore maple sapling. 

The roundleaf greenbriar uses tendrils to secure a lacy network of slender green stems onto other plants once contact is made.

The Asian bittersweet sends out whip-like woody branches to locate a vertical surface before it spirals tightly upward upon contact with a stem.  

The Japanese honeysuckle loosely twines its thin fibrous stem around the vertical or horizontal stems of other plants.

Look at the large black cherry tree beyond this tangle of climbers.  Can you determine which climbers have succeeded in getting to the top?