Devil's Backbone State Forest
| Devil's Backbone State Forest | |
|---|---|
IUCN categoryIV (habitat/species management area) | |
  Location within Virginia | |
| Location | Shenandoah County,Virginia |
| Coordinates | 39°02′42″N78°25′41″W/ 39.04500°N 78.42806°W |
| Area | 705.5 acres (285.5 ha) |
| Established | 1995 |
| Governing body | Virginia Department of Forestry |
| Devil's Backbone State Forest | |
Devil's Backbone State Forestis a 705.5-acre (285.5 ha)state forestinShenandoah County, Virginia.[1]It lies on the slope ofNorth Mountainin the drainage area ofCedar CreeknearStar Tannerywest ofStrasburg.The forest was established by a grant by John and Bernice Hoffman, who owned the land since 1950.
The forest is managed by theVirginia Department of Forestry,with a focus on research relating to the re-establishment ofAmerican chestnuttrees. Public access is not permitted.[1]
History[edit]
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Although much of future state forest was too steep and the soil too thin for agriculture, it nonetheless was part of a growing Virginia economy. The first industry to use the forest wasiron furnacesestablished in the mid-18th century and existing until after the Civil War. Isaac Zane, a Quaker from Pennsylvania, built the first two of these furnaces (Zane's Old Furnace 1768-74 and The Marlboro Works 1772-95) and received grants of forest land which included the future state forest to be used to make charcoal as fuel.
In 1868 atannerywas constructed and consumed the forest for the tannin-rich bark on the trees. The tannery eventually moved on, leaving only its name attached to the nearby community ofStar Tannery.Afterwards, inhabitants cut firewood and timber for charcoal-fueled kilns that producedquicklimefromlimestonein theShenandoah Valley.By the middle of the 20th century very little forest remained on the slopes of North Mountain.
John and Bernice Hoffman established the current forest on the land by planting timber stands ofloblolly pineand encouraging natural regeneration of native hardwoods. They also worked to re-establish theAmerican chestnut,formerly a dominant tree in theAppalachian forestprior to the outbreak of thechestnut blightin the early 20th century. John hopes his trees will help restore the chestnuts to their former glory and that some of them will resist the blight.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ab"Devil's Backbone State Forest".Virginia Department of Forestry.RetrievedDecember 29,2016.
External links[edit]
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