A Stand of White Spruce in Clinton Township

Today's photo was provided by John M. Karian, who took this picture of a stand of white spruce (Picea glauca) in Clinton township, Venango County.

Years ago, strip-mining for coal left many acres of acidic ground lacking topsoil. Mining companies planted tree saplings, like these spruce, to prevent soil erosion and revegetate sites. Although white spruce is not native to Pennsylvania, it is wide spread as an important component of the boreal forests of North America. It tolerates the poor soils conditions quite well and will naturally reproduce on spoil piles.

John took this photo at twilight after a snowstorm with an infrared technique, and printed it as a duotone.

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