Green Heron Pond is one of the southern most glacial ‘potholes' - an area where a large chunk of glacial ice remained (probably under the ground surface for many years) before it finally melted. A portion of the pond contains a small bog. The unusual aspect of this particular bog (a bog is a wetland type that accumulates acidic peat, a deposit of dead plant material) is that it still harbors living (peat) moss. Sphagnum needs a low pH to grow and the pH of soils on the Arboretum grounds is 7.5-8.0 (sphagnum needs 5.0 or under). How it has survived for thousands of years is one of life's perplexing questions!
Take a self-guided walk around Green Heron Pond with the 1-Hour Tour brochure.
Nature Notes Blog: An interactive blog highlighting nature on the Arboretum grounds.