September 29, 2000

     Autumn Journal

In the Itasca State Park area, paper birches and quaking aspens are showing golden-yellow leaves while sumacs and red oaks add a bit of red.  Combined with the dark green on spruces and pines, it makes for a spectacular scene.  This is also a perfect time to visit a nearby northern bog and walk carefully on a sedgemat to become acquainted with a few of the plants.

At the end of September, tamarack tree foliage is turning a smoky gold and bog birches show red and yellow leaves, but one of the biggest finds for those willing to explore a bog is the ripe cranberry fruit.

The native cranberries are low-creeping shrubs with small green leaves and many-seeded, juicy red berries, less than one-half inch in diameter.  Although some guide books say the fruit is sour and nearly inedible when raw, many bog walkers pick and enjoy eating the fresh fruit anyway.  The berries are usually gathered while still firm, just before or after the first frost, but those that are not gathered will remain on the stems during the winter.

The jack pine forest of Lake George, 7 miles east of Itasca State Park, is known for its blueberry shrubs that are low, woody plants with leaves showing mostly red fall color.  Usually at this time of year, hikers are rewarded with a few ripe blueberries to eat for a snack.