Harpers Ferry National Historical Park - Forests

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park by National Parks Service

Approximately 70% of the park is covered with eastern deciduous forest. Well-drained forest ridges are characterized by chestnut oak ( Quercus prinus ), black oak ( Quercus velutina ), and northern red oak ( Quercus rubra ). Some of the better drained slopes are covered with bitternut hickory ( Carya cordiformis ), tulip poplar ( Liriodendron tulipifera ), and sugar maple ( Acer saccharum ). Shrub species common to this area include mountain laurel ( Kalmia latifolia ), mapleleaf viburnum ( Viburnum acerfolium ), spicebush ( Lindera benzoin ), and American bladdernut ( Staphylea trifolia ). Some of the most abundant vine species found in the park include greenbrier ( Smilax rotundifolia ), Virginia creeper ( Parthenocissus quinquefolia ), and wild grape ( Vitis spp .).