Coring Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) in Wooster Memorial Park (aka Spangler)

Wooster Memorial Park has been a great resource for The College of Wooster Earth Sciences (ESCI), Biology among others. Here the ESCI course in Paleoclimate, under permit from the Friends of Wooster Memorial Park, sampled 20 second growth Eastern Hemlock with the aim of determining the climate response of the species in the Park. A recent publication by the Wooster Tree Ring Lab incorporated results from past sampling in the park that was concerned with the changing climate response of white oak trees. This oak study can be found here Wiles et al., 2025.

Lidar Map of Wooster Memorial Park – the green field in the west of the park is the approximate location of tree-ring sampling.

The class took advantage of a spectacular day for the sampling.

Nick demonstrating the coring technique using an increment borer.

Another perfect core, once trained, the five groups went into sampling mode.

For most of the group, this was their first experience coring and it was clear some were naturals at the technique.

First-ever core reveal photo – a proud dendrochronologist.

Another first.

Coring for the first time.

Coring and at the same time keeping a sharp eye out for wildlife.

A first – ever core safely archived in a reusable plastic straw.

Even the TA was caught working in this photo.

Deep in the hemlock forest – group three assesses another hemlock.

On the cliff’s edge tree workers and tourists confer.

Another core reveal photo.

Here five sizeable hemlocks lie in a row – blown down by the summer storm of 2022.

All the root throw from hundreds of downed trees is significantly changing the sediment budget in the tributaries.

From the storms and trees killed by the emerald ash borer there is plenty of wood for log jams.

A portion of the park was used for raising shade trees back in the day. Here is one of the shade trees that remains.

Reflecting on the completed coring and anxious to get to the lab work.

One of the many, diverse rocks in Rathburn Run. Special thanks to the Friends of Wooster Memorial Park and the City of Wooster for maintaining the park and allowing us to sample there.