Shoal Branch

Shoal Branch is not only one of the largest cedar forests at both Brendan T. Byrne and Bass River State Forests, but it also borders the two. At close to 400 acres, the northern chunk of Shoal sits on the northwestern edge of Bass River State Forest. The forest extends to Franklin Parker Preserve and Penn State Forest. When the cedar branch reaches Franklin Parker Preserve, the cedar ribbon narrows, flows around the meadowland, then widens again southeastward. It then leads to the southern part of Shoal Branch. The southern area, along with the meadowlands, makes up the West Branch Wading River Natural Heritage Priority Macrosite.

The Shoal Branch cedar forest sources West Branch Wading River, also passing near Hawkin Bridge. Adjacent to West Branch Wading River Macrosite sits West Plains Fireshed Natural Heritage Priority Macrosite. This area has a high concentration of burns. In both of these heritage priority macrosites, native species grow and intend to continue their legacy.

• https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0034/0071981/1.1/data/0-data/disc_contents/web_link/text/nj_pine.htm

• https://share-open-data-njtpa.hub.arcgis.com/datasets/njdep::natural-heritage-priority-sites-in-new-jersey/explore?location=39.782643%2C-74.481560%2C14

Black tea stream flows around cedar forest

Stream before cedar forest

Mixed hardwood and cedar

Shoal Branch Franklin Parker Preserve edge

Pine corridor

Late July Shoal Branch corridor

Shoal uplands

Mid-summer afternoon in the uplands

Woodland trail

Shoal clearing

Trail intersection

Mid-summer clearing

Deep Shoal Trail

Upland sand road

Shoal hardwood/cedar

See what Shoal Branch Cedar Forest looks like during peak foliage. Early July, early afternoon, peak foliage.

Shoal Branch pine woodlands.