Griffith WoodsGriffith Woods is considered the best remnant of old-growth savannah in the Bluegrass region of Kentucky. The property was recently sold by the Nature Conservancy to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. The forest here contains some truly superb and large trees characteristic of the Bluegrass region, including blue ash, bur oak, black walnut, various hickories, and the world's largest chinquapin oak. The site is also home to the endangered Running buffalo clover.
Recent research has indicated, however, that the large trees originated as part of a closed-canopy forest, and developed their large crowns and open-grown characteristics after land clearing by American settlers. Griffith Woods is not open to the public, with visitation by appointment only. For more information visit Friends of Griffith Woods and the Bluegrass Restoration Project. And you can check out some pictures from Ryan McEwan of the University of Dayton here. |