Cathedral Pines facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cathedral Pines |
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Cathedral Pines in 2012
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 Cathedral Pines
Location in Connecticut
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| Location | Cornwall, Connecticut |
| Area | 42 acres (17 ha) |
| Established | 1967 |
| Designated: | 1982 |
Cathedral Pines is a special nature preserve in Cornwall, Connecticut. It covers about 42 acres, which is like 30 football fields! This amazing place is managed by The Nature Conservancy, an organization that helps protect natural areas.
What makes Cathedral Pines so unique? It's an old-growth forest. This means the trees there are very old and have been growing for a long time without being cut down. You'll find tall white pine trees and hemlock trees here. Some of these towering white pines can reach heights of 120 to 140 feet, which is taller than a 10-story building!
The Calhoun family bought this land in 1883 to stop the trees from being cut down. In 1967, they donated it to The Nature Conservancy so it could be protected forever. In 1982, Cathedral Pines was named a National Natural Landmark. This means it's a nationally important natural area.
What Happened in 1989?
In July 1989, a powerful tornado hit Cathedral Pines. It caused a lot of damage, destroying most of the beautiful old trees. It was a sad day for this special forest.
Studying Nature's Comeback
Even though the tornado caused a lot of damage, it also created a unique opportunity. Scientists and nature lovers are now studying Cathedral Pines to see how a forest recovers after a big natural disaster. This process is called ecological restoration. It helps us learn how nature heals itself and how we can help it along.
The preserve is open to everyone. You can visit and see the remaining tall pines and watch the forest slowly grow back. It's a great place to learn about nature's power and how important it is to protect our environment.
Images for kids
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White pines (April 2022)
