Eastern Red Cedar

(Juniperus virginiana)

Also known as a Red Juniper, this tree is very common throughout the state. Used mostly as an ornamental tree for hedges, the Eastern Red Cedar is important to deer, birds, squirrels and raccoons for food and shelter.

Bromegrass (Bromis inermis)

The majority of the grass you see is Bromegrass, a non-native from Hungary that some see as a nuisance because it crowds native grasses like Switchgrass and Big Blue Stem. Others use Bromegrass for cattle grazing and soil erosion prevention. It is also mixed with alfalfa for hay.

Pack Rat (Neotoma cinerea)

The Pack Rat, also known as the Busy-Tailed Woodrat, builds nests out of twigs and branches outside of small caves and holes called “middens.” These nests are used, not only as a home, but for protection from predators. You can see a Pack Rat nest in front of this post. It may look like a bundle of sticks up against a log.