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English Hill State Forest

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English Hill State Forest (Allegany Reforestation Area #11) is located in the Towns of Granger and Grove in Allegany County. It covers a total of 1,395 acres.

Flowers decorate the forest floor at English Hill State Forest
Flowers decorate the forest floor at English Hill State Forest

History

About one quarter of the acreage was cleared for agriculture in the early 1800's, but by the 1930's most of the fields had been abandoned. The earliest aerial photos of the area, from 1938, indicate that several fields were abandoned much earlier, possibly before 1900.

Field Notes

The forest cover types on English Hill State Forest are a mixture of native hardwood species and planted conifers. The hardwood stands are managed through a series of thinnings, which remove the lower quality trees and give more growing space to the best quality trees. The hardwood tops are generally left in place to rot and recycle their nutrients back into the soil. The decaying tops also provide bedding and nesting cover for wildlife such as white-tailed deer and wild turkeys.

Periodic thinnings in the red pine plantations have allowed the native hardwoods to seed in the sunlit openings. Many of the pine stands have reached maturity, and the remaining overstory is now being removed to allow the hardwoods to grow. These "early-successional" hardwood stands provide an important habitat component for a variety of songbird species, as well as ruffed grouse and woodcock.

Recreation

Hunting

The area is a popular destination for both small game and big game hunting. Be sure to abide by all game laws in affect through the NYSDEC.

Snowmobiling

New York State Snowmobile Corridor Trail S34A passes through English Hill State Forest. More information may be found on the website of the New York State Snowmobile Association. A link is provided in the column to the right.

Tips for using State Forests

State lands belong to all of us. Please help care for this area and enhance the enjoyment of it for yourself and those who follow by observing these simple guidelines:

  • What you carry in - carry out. Leave the area cleaner than you found it. Burying refuse is prohibited.
  • If you are planning to camp for more than three nights or have a group of ten or more, you will need to obtain a permit from a forest ranger. Camping is not allowed within 150 feet of water, roads or trails.
  • If you build a fire, do so with care and use wood from dead and down trees only.
  • All motorized vehicles are restricted to access roads posted as motor vehicle trails. Off road use of motorized vehicles, such as ATV, trail bikes and four wheel drives is not allowed.
  • No permanent structures shall be established, including tree stands or blinds.
  • Please do not deface, remove, destroy, or otherwise injure any tree, shrub, flower, fern, moss or other plant, rock, fossil, or mineral found or growing on state lands.
  • Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints.

Directions

English Hill State Forest lies northeast of the Hamlet of Short Tract and is accessible via several town roads between County Routes 15 and 16.

Important Numbers

State Forest Office (M-F 8-4 p.m.): 585-268-5392

Forest Ranger (Evenings, Weekends and Holidays): 585-567-2187 and 585-415-1521

Emergencies: 911