The largest habitat of Shaw Nature Reserve consists of woodlands and forest. This habitat offers beautiful sights all year round, but is perhaps at its most magical in the fall.
Both the woodlands and the forests are dominated by trees, but their terrain can be quite different. At Shaw Nature Reserve, we classify our woodlands and forests based on their location and topography.
The part of the Nature Reserve between the Maritz Trail House and the Meramec River has steeper hills and ridges with shallower soils, narrow valleys and numerous intermittent rivulets. It is more similar to the terrain of the Ozarks and can also be called an Ozark Upland Forest.
The Bottomland Forest is best represented by 160 acres in the flood plain of the Meramec River. In geological terms, the flood plain is a youthful area in a state of constant change. The river bed is slowly moving southward, creating a series of ridges and troughs – a visible record of the gradual change in the river’s course
Plants found in the woodlands and forest
Similar to the terrain, plant life varies from the woodlands to the forests.
In the woodlands, ridges and upper slopes have thinner soil and support different species of trees and herbaceous plants. Oak (sp. Quercus) and hickory ( sp. Carya) trees dominate the area.
In the bottomland forest, the frequent flooding of the Meramec provides this bare soil needed for trees like bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa), pin oak (Quercus palustris) and shellbark hickory (Carya laciniosa) to germinate their seeds.
Masses of bluebells (Mertensia virginica), trout lily (Erythronium albidum), blue phlox (Phlox divaricata) and false rue anemone (Enemion biternatum) make a spectacular display here in spring.
Animals found in the woodlands and forest
Visitors can spot white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and gray and fox squirrels (Sciurus caroliniensis and Sciurus niger) in the upland forest. The wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) also roam this area since an important part of their diet is acorns and hickory nuts.
If you happen to be out for a special evening hike at the Nature Reserve, you may come across a raccoons (Procyon lotor), opossums (Didelphis virginiana) or striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis)
Hiking the woodlands and forest
Rus Goddard River Trail
- Distance: 2.5 miles (looped)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Getting there: Park at the Maritz Trail House along Trail House Loop
This 2.5-mile loop trail is steep at times, passing through the state-designated Natural Area on the way to a large gravel bar on the Meramec River. The trail is named in honor of the esteemed volunteer who maintained the Reserve’s trail system for over 20 years. The trail has options to connect to the Wildflower Trail and Bluff Overlook Trail.
Bonus Fall Color Hike: Cyprus Lake and Wolf Run Trail
Uploaded
- Distance: 1 mile (looped)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Getting there: Park on the east side of Cypress Lake located on the Pinetum Loop Road
Though not technically through the woodlands or the forest, visiting Cypress Lake during the autumn is a must for fall foliage lovers. Luckily the Wolf Run Trail begins at this scenic location.
Jessika Eidson | Public Information Officer
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