Marshall Forest
Marshall Forest is located in Floyd County, Georgia, United States, outside the Rome city limits. It is one of the few remaining old-growth forests in Northwest Georgia. Marshall Forest is referred to as the only virgin forest within city limits of any city in the US. The forest is. Trees in Marshall Forest range from in height. More than 300 species of plants, and fifty-five tree species live within the forest, together with numerous animals indigenous to the area.
History
Once a part of the Cherokee Nation, the were bought by the Marshall family in 1880. The land was passed down the Marshall family until it reached Maclean Marshall, naturalist and philanthropist, who had the land dedicated as a Natural National Landmark on October 12, 1966. Marshall Forest was the first Natural National Landmark in the state of Georgia. In 1976, of forest and of fields were given to The Nature Conservancy.In 1985, were added to the forest on the Mt. Alto side. These parts were not part of the original purchase by the Marshall family. Now only 75 to 100 acres of the original forest remain uncut.
Forest life
Marshall Forest supports more than 300 species of plants, including the endangered large-flowered skullcap. The forest houses the largest population of these flowers in the state of Georgia and the second largest population in the United States. Several kinds of mushrooms also grow in the forest. The forest contains 55 tree species, such as pine-oak, chestnut oak, and mixed hardwoods.The forest is home to numerous indigenous animals, including frogs, salamanders, and snakes. There are at least six different species of snake in the forest. Dozens of kinds of birds also live here.