The two primary forest formations of New England are the northern hardwood forest and the central hardwood forest. There is also an overlap region, the “transition zone” where many species of both formations can be found. This transition zone covers much of Massachusetts and dips into the northwest corner of Rhode Island. 

This is evident in the forest at Sprague Farm, a protected forest owned and managed by the Glocester Land Trust.  This thousand plus acre preserve includes the best striped maple (Acer Pensylvanicum) stand in the state, some magnificent chestnut oaks (Quercus prinus) and an Atlantic white cedar swamp (Chamaecyparis thyoides). We could also catch some woodland spring ephemerals in bloom.