Weiss Lake Property Daytrip to the Marshall Forest

A Virgin Forest Landmark Of Rome

Marshall Forest is the only virgin forest in the city of Rome, Georgia and is worth the short drive over from your Weiss Lake property at The Bluffs. It is named after the famous Maclean Marshall, a philanthropist and naturalist who eventually inherited the forest from his family that purchased it in 1880. Hitherto the Marshall forestland is preserved for “preservation’s sake” and contains much of the old-growth forest. Today the Marshall forest is home to at least 300 species of rare plants, variety of mushrooms, innumerable animal species and other living organisms.

The forest

The Marshall Forest was once upon a time a significant part of the Cherokee Nation lands and is comprised of hardwood forests. The forest is about 250 acres in size and runs for 75 acres over the Coosa River flood plain. Although on one side of the forest lies a small range of Mt. Alto, the other southwest side has some famous self-guided trails through which tourists can often go for long walks.

The Flower Glen Trail, which extends for a quarter mile, is best for tourists who want to watch the native wildlife species. The other walking trail, known as the Big Pine Braille Trial, is appropriate for visually impaired people who want to revel in the unique sounds and smells of the forest. The Big Pine Braille Trial also consists of five other nature trials.

Unusual species of plants and animals in Marshall Forest

While you are in Marshall Forest, you can enjoy an unusual combination of both northern and southern tree species. The three most important and distinct plant species of the forest includes chestnut oak, pine oak, and mixed hardwood forest. However, the Marshall Forest also contains at least more than 55 different other tree species.

This old-growth forest is never dominated by one plant species. It has almost a thousand plant species, mainly hardwoods and pines, which are ideal for researches and studies of naturalists. It’s simply spectacular to watch the pretty pines growing from the canopied gaps of hardwood trees, the formation of which can be traced to the periodic ice storms and occasional fires in the forest.

The Marshall Forest is also famous for harboring the largest population of large-flowered skullcap in Georgia. This perennial herb is a rare species available only on the mountains near Rome. While you traverse through the Marshall Forest Trails, you can also view innumerable species of non-threatening animals like frogs, salamanders, at least ten species of snakes, and dozens of beautiful species of birds.

Significance of Marshall Forest

The Marshall Forest has gained significant importance in the history of Georgia. It is one of the last remaining stands of old-growth pine and hardwood timber in northwest Georgia and as the forest tends to increase in area, it gives birth to more rare species of plants and animals. The Conservancy Reserve had advocated a special strategy, which involves students in boundary marking and removal of invasive species of plants like English Ivy and Chinese privet. This makes Marshall Forest an important landmark and spectacular destination for tourists visiting Georgia.