Clear Creek Nature Preserve, Atlanta

[eliahd24]

Just when I think I've tromped through every last exceptional urban forest in Atlanta, another one appears.  Clear Creek Nature Preserve is over 50 acres of floodplain forest along Clear Creek, north of Piedmont Park in Atlanta, GA.  It's owned by the Brookwood Hills Community Club and access is [somewhat] restricted.  I stumbled upon this area b/c of a rumored "Civil War era" beech tree.  Well on that first visit I didn't find any exceptional beech trees, but I did find what should be a state co-champion Shumard Oak.  I contacted the green space owners and they welcomed me with open arms and encouraged further tree hunting, giving me unrestricted access to the forest.  On valentine's day I was able to spend the afternoon tromping around the floodplain and was quite pleasantly surprised with the numerous exceptional tree including a state co-champ Sweetgum, a very large Sugarberry, a hybrid Q x beadlei and lots of decent sized Green Ash.  One of these ash trees had fallen and was cut to reveal ~110 annual growth rings.  
Here's the rundown:

               

                       

                                       

               

-it should be noted that the 21' CBH Tuliptree is a double trunked specimen.

               

                       

                       

large beech

               

               

               

                       

                       

big/tall sweetgum

               

               

               

                       

                       

large t. creeper vine

               

               

~Eli

[jamesrobertsmith]

I love seeing sweetgum trees in the forest during spring and summer. But of course I always hated having them in my yard. I don't think there's anything more frustrating than having to clean up all of those damned gumballs.

[eliahd24]

they're a pain (literally) if you've ever stepped on one with bare feet too!

[edfrank]

Eli,

Nice report.  I am thinking, in the interest of science, and since you and Bob seem to have already started the research, that you two should collect all of the seed pods that are pointy and sharp.  Then do a double blind test of which ones hurt the most when you step on them in your bare feet.  

Ed

[jamesrobertsmith]

I'll pass on that bit  of scientific research.