193 



although there may be some divergence in the shrub stage, due 

 to the local abundance or scarcity of particular species. But the 

 tree stages in different sections exhibit some appreciable dis- 

 similarities. Reference has been made in previous papers* to 

 variations in the composition of the climax forest. The earlier 

 tree stages as well manifest certain differences. Gray birch is a 

 common pioneer tree in all sections, but post oak is confined to 



Fig. 9. A typical "old field " society in an abandoned pasture; New Haven. 

 Juniperus virginiana and Juniperus communis var. depressa. 



the proximity of the coast, and even here it is quite re- 

 stricted in its distribution. Red cedar and pitch pine are rel- 

 atively rare in northwestern Connecticut, but they are common 

 elsewhere. Of the two, red cedar is the more usual pioneer in 

 the southwestern part of the state; in the central lowland and 

 jn eastern Connecticut both are locally important. The aspens 

 {Populus tremuloides, P. grandidentata) are of sporadic occurrence 

 throughout, especially in areas recently burned over, but they 



* Torreya 13: 99, loi; 199-215. 1913; Bot. Gaz. 56: 143, 144. 1913- 



