New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx in Bronx County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Old-Growth Forests: Pit and Mound Formations
The rolling topography of the forest floor is in part the result of natural disturbances such as fallen trees.
All around you are indicators of this forest's great age. Observe in front of you the uprooted stump of a white oak that fell in a wind storm in 2004 at the age of 277. Its roots were ripped up from the forest floor, creating a pit. As the roots and clinging soil decayed, they formed a mound. Over time, pit and mound formations create a rolling topography that is a characteristic of old-growth forests. The exposed mineral soil in the pits provides nutrients that plants need to grow, while the moist mounds of decaying matter and rich soil are home to fungi, lichen, bacteria, invertebrates, amphibians, and plants.
This is an old-growth forest, having survived for thousands of years although nearly all of the historic woodland that once covered much of New York City was cleared for farms and settlements beginning in the 17th century. Today less than one percent of the woodland in the northeastern United States is considered old growth. Old-growth forests, while subject to natural and human disturbances, are
this page online
The Thain Family Forest is part of the Old-Growth Forest Network. Forests in the network will forever be protected from logging and open to the public.
Erected by New York Botanical Garden.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Colonial Era • Horticulture & Forestry • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 2004.
Location. 40° 51.741′ N, 73° 52.589′ W. Marker is in Bronx, New York, in Bronx County. It is in New York Botanical Garden. It is on Spicebush Trail east of Spicebush Trail, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 81 Spicebush Trail, Bronx NY 10458, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 3, 2025
2. Old-Growth Forests: Pit and Mound Formations Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Common Spicebush (a few steps from this marker); Forest Conservation (a few steps from this marker); Thain Family Forest (a few steps from this marker); Black Oak (within shouting distance of this marker); Human Impact (within shouting distance of this marker); Pokeberry (within shouting distance of this marker); Oak (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old-Growth Forests: Snags (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bronx.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 106 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 10, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
