Cathedral Pines

This article is about the nature preserve in Connecticut. For the religious sanctuary in New Hampshire, see Cathedral of the Pines.
Cathedral Pines
Cathedral Pines in 2012
LocationCornwall, Connecticut
Coordinates41°50′10″N 73°19′31″W / 41.83604°N 73.32516°W / 41.83604; -73.32516
Area42 acres (17 ha)
Established1967
Designated1982

Cathedral Pines is a 42-acre (17 ha) nature preserve owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy[1] in Cornwall, Connecticut. It is an old-growth white pine and hemlock forest which had been donated in 1967 by the Calhoun family who had purchased it in 1883 to prevent logging. It was mostly destroyed by tornadoes in July 1989 and has become a study site for ecological restoration. It was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1982.[2]

The remaining white pines are approximately 120 feet (37 m) to 140 feet (43 m) high.[3] It is open to the public.

In his book Second Nature, writer Michael Pollan uses the aftermath of the 1989 tornado damage at Cathedral Pines as a case for discussion of environmental ethics.

White pines (April 2022)
  1. ^ "Cathedral Pines". The Nature Conservancy. Retrieved 2009-01-10.
  2. ^ "Cathedral Pines". nps.gov. National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2013-03-05. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
  3. ^ Ostuno, Ernie (August 8, 2004). "Cathedral Pines, Cornwall, CT". Retrieved 2009-01-10.