Avalon in Cape May County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Disappearing Forest
Photographed by Pete Skillman, May 4, 2025
1. The Disappearing Forest Marker
The dry sandy soil, sparse top soil, salt spray, and strong winds keep trees from growing to full potential except in the tertiary dunes. Instead, you'll find smaller holly, sassafras, oak, black cherry and red cedar trees as well as lots of poison ivy and other vines.
These forests are important stopping places for migratory birds. You might find animals like raccoons, red foxes, squirrels, skunks, snakes, turtles and toads.
LEAVES OF THREE, LET IT BE.
Poison ivy thrives in forests. Thirty three species of birds depend on its berries as an important food source during long cold winters. Higher carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere make poison ivy more imitating to the skin.
(Caption):
Cross section of the Maritime Forest, Dunes and Beach.
Erected by Avalon Borough. (Marker Number 2.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:
this page online
Location. 39° 5.033′ N, 74° 43.916′ W. Marker is in Avalon, New Jersey, in Cape May County. It can be reached from Dune Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4818 Dune Dr, Avalon NJ 08202, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on New Jersey’s Jersey Shore. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Why All the Stumps? (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to the Avalon Dune and Beach Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); More than a Pile of Sand (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Welcome to the Avalon Dune and Beach Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away); Let There Be Light
Photographed by Pete Skillman, May 4, 2025
2. The Disappearing Forest Marker - wide view
More about this marker. While this marker primarily discusses a nature trail, it qualifies as history because it mentions the landscape as it was prior to human development, and mentions how a nearby town got its name.
Also see . . . Avalon Dune and Beach Trail Website. (Submitted on May 4, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. This page has been viewed 86 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 4, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.
