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7.19 Second Stage In the second stage of succession, oak and hickory trees will get bigger, thus providing more shade spaces for understory tree and shrub species. According to the natural succession code, these shade-liking understory tree species and shrubs will emerge spontaneously. The wild flower areas will shrink, because of the
reduction of sunny areas. The emergent species will be distinguishable from the planted trees, because all the planted trees are in a grid system. So this will be a great education opportunity for science classes.
7.20 Mature Stage
variety of understory trees and shrubs will accompany them. At this stage, only little wild flowers will be left, because most of the ground will be covered by mature trees. And the wildlife community will get a great diversity till this moment. The mature oak-hickory forest will attract a great amount of bird, rodent, reptile and insect species.
The final stage of urban forest succession will be characterized by a mature oak-hickory plant community, and a great diversity of plant and animal species. Mature oak and hickory trees will be the dominant hard-wood species in this community, and a