For many people, dazzling New England fall foliage is their first introduction to the northern hardwood forest. Sugar maple, American beech and yellow birch trees form the foundation for this rich and diverse habitat, with hemlocks and white pine mixed in. Plentiful understory shrubs, ferns and wildflowers provide food and cover for a variety of animals and nesting birds. Nesting warblers in their beautiful breeding plumage fill the spring woods with their varied songs. They are the crown jewels of the Northern Forest.