47 



of the beech-maple association predominated in the better upland 

 areas. This included Fagus grandijolia^ Acer sacchariim and 

 Tsuga canadensis^ all or virtually all of which were dead or 

 dying. Of these Tsuga, by far the most abundant in number 

 in the empounded area still had 6 specimens (8%) of varying 

 sizes that were thrifty. As these, however were all in the area 

 empounded this year, it is to be expected that they will all be 

 dead by another year. 



The pine association was only represented by 6 large specimens 

 of Pinus strobus, all of which were dead. 



Because of the location of the area in the flood plain of Carp 

 Creek, more of the lowland types of trees were found, as would 

 be expected. These included Abies balsames, Acer rubrum, 

 Fraxinus nigra. Thuja occidentalism and Ulmus americana^ 

 typically present in low areas and Betula papyrifera and Populus 

 tremuloides, present as a result of past fires. Of these trees 

 Fraxinus nigra was scarcely affected, as was to be surmised. 

 Ulmus americana also withstood inundation very well, but all 

 the individuals of Acer rubrum, contrary to normal expectation 

 were seriously affected. The case of Populus tremuloides is a 

 special one in itself as these trees form the preferred food of the 

 beavers and consequently have been largely removed. Of the 

 many aspens previously on the area, but one dead and one 

 thrifty remain. Of the two remaining trees, Abies usually grows 

 in wet but not submerged ground and Thuja naturally grows 

 under either condition. In this case both had developed in unsub- 

 merged ground. The result of the persistent inundation has 

 been to seriously affect 95% of the Abies and 71% of the Thuja. 



Food Habits of the Beaver 



Beaver* normally eat the bark of species of Populus as their 

 preferred food. In case of scarcity of this preference, Salix spp., 

 Betula spp., Prunus pennsylvanica, Alnus spp., Acer pennsyl- 

 vanicum, Acer spicatum and certain small shrubs are felled for 

 food. In this area, most of the woody plants cut or barked 

 were Populus tremuloides. Others that had been attacked were 

 Abies balsamea, Fagus grandifolia, Picea mariana (the only 

 specimen in the vicinity, a small tree back from the stream). 

 Thuja occidentalism Tsuga canadensis, and Alnus incana. 



* Bailey, Vernon. Beaver Habits, Beaver Control and Possibilities in Beaver 

 Farming. Bulletin 1078. U. S. D. A. Oct. 18, 1922. 



