Nature Book Trail and Marsh Area
Trail length: 0.25 mile
Round trip: 0.5 mile
 Our new Nature Book Trail consists
of 14 large signs that display the pages of Butterflies: Exploring
the Life Cycle, a book by Oak Ridge author and educator Dr. Shirley
Raines and University of Memphis nature photographer Curt Hart. The
trail begins near the entrance to the Visitors Center and ends at Marsh
Road that comes back to the starting point. In all, the distance is
about 0.5 mile, and is suitable for adults and children who can walk.
The trail is neither handicap accessible nor suitable for baby
strollers.
Formerly named the White Pine Trail, the
Nature Book Trail is on the
hillside above the meadow that borders Scarborough Creek. The trail
winds through what was once an eminent stand of tall eastern white pine
trees. Most are gone now, destroyed by the Southern Pine Beetle
epidemic in 2003. The American beech trees that have grown into the
area where the pines once stood will stand out in the winter months, as
many of their faded-orange fall leaves are retained until spring. On
the way back to the Visitors Center along Marsh Road, early spring
walkers will enjoy the colorful blooms in the Magnolia Garden on the
slope above the road.
 The Marsh Area is located where
Scarborough Creek widens - just south of the grassy meadow. The bright
red berries of the Marsh Area collection of hollies will treat fall and
winter visitors. Walkers in all seasons will enjoy the "trees with
knees" (bald cypress) in the marsh and the Central China Collection of
tree specimens that are found in remote areas of China. An informative
sign, located in that area, describes the characteristics of the
water-loving trees growing in the marsh.
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