Orange County NC Website
These natural areas encompass features which are becoming increasingly <br /> rare in the rapidly developing Piedmont Province. Mature hardwood forest <br /> as found on the Cabelands and the Pump Station Tract, although typical in <br /> composition compared to other sites (e.g. Piedmont Beech National Natural <br /> Landmark in Umstead Park in Wake County) , must be recognized as locally <br /> significant. The complex of corr¢nunities on the Cabelands also lends itself <br /> well to further study. The volcanic geology of Cabes Ford is considered <br /> worthy of special protection. <br /> Significance: <br /> 1. The Cabelands - Protected examples of various second growth piedmont <br /> forest types ranging from xeric pine/heath to mixed upland hardwoods <br /> to mesic hardwoods to floodplain forest. Occurrence of ginseng <br /> (Panax quinauefolium) , a herb species given Threatened Throughout <br /> status by state botanists. Nearby occurrence of Carolina darter <br /> (Etheostoma collis) a fish given Special Concern status by state <br /> icthyologists. <br /> 2. Pump Station Tract - Protected example of a good beech-dominated <br /> piedmont forest with a rich understory of vernal herbs including <br /> yellow lady's slipper (Cypripedium acaule) and showy orchis (Orchis <br /> sEectablis) . <br /> 3. Cabes Ford - ".. . one of the best natural exposures of pyroclastic <br /> rock which is widespread through the piedmont of the Carolinas" <br /> (Butler et al., 1975) . <br /> Management Recommendation: The natural areas should be managed according to <br /> the park master plan. The Central District Naturalist and Environmental <br /> Research Specilist should be consulted related to trail placement. <br /> Data Sources: Dr. William A. White - Professor Emeritus of Geology UNC-Chapel <br /> Hill; Dr. Joseph R. Bailey - Professor of Zoology, Duke University, Durham; <br /> Ms. Jan Truitt - Supt. of Mount Jefferson State Park and New River Sceni <br /> River, Jefferson; Mr. Ed Harrison - US Dept. of Agriculture, SCS, Hender- <br /> sonville; Mr. John Taggart - Environmental Research Specialist, Division <br /> of Parks and Recreation, Raleigh <br /> Scientific References: <br /> Black, M. et al. 1972. An analysis of the Berrneim property in Orange <br /> County, North Carolina. Unpubl. report prepared by the Duke School <br /> of Forestry and Environmental Management. <br /> Harrison, E. 1978. Natural areas in Eno River State Park. Unpubl. report <br /> prepared for the Division of Parks and Recreation, Raleigh. <br /> Master Planning Unit. 1979. Draft master plan for Eno River State Park. <br /> Division of Parks and Recreation, Raleigh. <br /> Butler, J. R. , Custer, E. S. , and W. A. White, 1975. Cabes Ford. In <br /> Potential Geological Natural Landmarks, Piedmont Region, Eastern <br /> United States. Department of Geology, UNC-Chapel Hill, Prepared <br /> for the National Park Service. p. 94. <br /> • <br />