The process by which nature returns a cleared area of land to forest is called succession.
Seeds carried by wind, water and animals reach a cleared area. Some take root and for the first few years only wildflowers and grasses may be apparent. Then tree seedlings begin to appear. These are known as pioneer trees which thrive in lots of sunlight. As they grow larger, enough shade is provided for the climax tree seedlings to start growing. The climax trees will eventually grow taller and provide shade which the pioneer trees cannot tolerate. The trees of the climax forest will remain and continue to replace themselves until some natural or manmade changes (fire, flood or bulldozer) alter conditions so that they can no longer survive. Once this happens, the process of succession must begin all over again. Lands left fallow long enough in Maryland will go through the process described here.

 

 

 

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