In Queens

A Sweetgum-dominated pond in Cunningham Park’s Southeast Preserve. In 1917, a survey of northern Queens by Harper found Black Oak/Quercus veluntina (14% ) and American Chestnut/Castanae dentata (11%) the two main hardwood species in the uplands. The latter was represented only by stumps and dying trees, so Harper considered his findings to represent the state of the forest in 1905.

It was a very wet NYC Wildflower Week walk, drizzling much of the time. The path had been paved at some point, and what looked like intentionally introduced exotic ornamental viburnums (the Parks Department through the ages, sheesh) and invasives like Norway Maple were all over in addition to the indigenous species.

Insect activity was minimal in the weather, but there were signs. A midge species makes these galls on maple.