H.J. Lutz's 1930 study of Hearts Content was one of the earliest quantitative analyses of plant communities in an old-growth forest,[2] and it remains influential in the field of ecology.[6] Lutz concluded that the even-aged white pine stand established following a major disturbance in the 17th century, such as a fire (possibly set by Native Americans during the Beaver Wars); since then, the species has not reproduced under the closed canopy. By relocating and resampling Lutz's original plots, Whitney documented 50 years of changes in the structure and composition of the stand.[6] During this time, dense deer populations have reduced the regeneration of many tree and herb species.[6][7]
Hearts Content represents E. Lucy Braun's hemlock-white pine-northern hardwood forest type.[8] The old-growth forest is from 122 acres (49 ha) to 150 acres (61 ha) in extent, but the scenic area is most famous for its 20 acres (8.1 ha) of tall white pine and Eastern hemlock.[9] Many of these trees have diameters of over 40 inches (102 cm) and heights of over 140 feet (43 m),[2] and most of the white pine are between 300 and 400 years old. American beech is also plentiful in the forest, but is affected by Beech bark scale.[3]Hay-scented fern covers much of the understory due to overbrowsing by deer.[3]
Visitors can walk an easily accessible, 1-mile (1.6 km) loop trail through the old-growth forest.[4] A picnic area, campground and several other trailheads are nearby. A 6.4-mile (10.3 km) cross-country skitrail passes through the area on old railroad grades.[4] There are also numerous camps owned by private individuals in the area.
^ abcLutz, H. J. (January 1930). "The vegetation of Heart's Content, a virgin forest in northwestern Pennsylvania". Ecology. 11 (1). Ecological Society of America: 1–29. doi:10.2307/1930778. JSTOR1930778.
^ abcWhitney, G. G. (1984). "Fifty years of change in the arboreal vegetation of Heart's Content, an old-growth hemlock-white pine-northern hardwood stand". Ecology. 65 (2). Ecological Society of America: 403–408. doi:10.2307/1941403. JSTOR1941403.
^Rooney, T. P.; Dress, W.J. (October 1997). "Species loss over sixty-six years in the ground-layer vegetation of Heart's Content, an old-growth forest in Pennsylvania, USA". Natural Areas Journal. 17: 297–305.
