Louisiana Master Naturalists of Greater New Orleans

The Pearl River Basin’s floodplain is covered with a hardwood forest. Also located within this forest is a myriad of waterways – the river itself, numerous creeks, bayous and sloughs but also ponds. Locally they are called “gum” ponds as often the most common trees are tupelo gum – the swamp loving tree with their swollen trunks. If the Pearl River and its main tributary, Bogue Chitto River, has been low for months as they have been this fall, the portions of the basin dry out including these gum ponds.

For intrepid master naturalists, these ponds can be explored by walking through their canopy of mature tupelo and bald cypress. Our destination for the next “Walk in the Woods” will be one of these ponds located in the Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge. The trailhead will be east northeast of Abita Springs at lock 2 of the West Pearl River Navigation Canal.

The plan for this walk will be to meet at 10 am, on Saturday, December 10th. Our gathering will venture into the refuge, explore the various habitats around and in the gum pond and then emerge by midafternoon. (Be forewarned that I frequently get turned around so bring your headlight or flashlight.) Also bring lunch and drink. Dress for the forecasted weather.

Autumn is occurring especially in the hardwoods of this floodplain forest. The hickories and ashes are turning yellow. Some cypress are orange brown while the red maples and sweetgums show their leaves of red and yellow. Even the oaks make a contribution of muted browns.

If you like to explore this basin and its “gum” pond, send me a note that you are coming plus your cell phone number. I will send out more details along with driving directions Thursday night. Hope you can join us………..

Byron Almquist byron@canoeandtrail.com Class of Fall 2013 Percy Viosca awardee 2021