A botanical
borderland
Alpine Catchfly. Photo: Carolina Hillerdal
Southerly plants in the North
Ångermanland has long been known as a province where many species reach their northerly limits. Skuleskogen is botanically very exciting! Norway Maple and the odd Hazel grow in the spruce forests on south-facing slopes. In May Liverleaf flowers beside the trail to Kälsviken. Wall
Lettuce, Herb-Robert, and Wood Fescue are other southerly plants that grow in the park.
Alpine plants in the South
Alpine plants can be found on Skuleskogen´s north facing slopes and in the ravines. Alpine Saw-wort, Alpine Catchfly, and Alpine Blue-sow-thistle grow on exposed sites. The Three-leaved Rush, common on exposed sites in alpine regions, also grows in the ravine at Slåttdalsskrevan and on the summit of Slåttdalsberget.
Beard lichen. Photo: Tomas Rydqvist
The forest
In Skuleskogen, you will find one of the coastal region´s few remaining large, ancient forests. You can walk here for days, enjoy luxuriant wet spruce forest, or climb the hills and study the insect-gnawed trunks of old pines.
Long-bearded spruce forest
Lofty spruce forests grow in the sediment-rich valleys. Skuleskogen gives an impression of virgin forest, despite that much of it was felled during the second half of the nineteenth century. One of the national park´s rarities is the beard lichen Usnea longissima. It can be found draped on old spruces that grow on north-facing slopes with high and even humidity.
The extreme pine forest
Half of the national park concist of hills with flat boulders and sparse pine forest. Some trees are over 500 years old and some bear scars after forest fires. The vegetation here suffers from wind and ice during winter. The temperature fluctuates greatly in this open and sunny forest.
The rare and large Flat-headed Pine Borer is one of the insects that enjoys this warm habitat. It might be a remnant from a warmer era thousands of years ago.
Pine tree on the mountaintop. Photo: Carolina Hillerdal
Three-toed woodpecker. Photo: Owe Källström
Animal tracks and signs
Many animals benefit from the variety of habitats within the national park, particularly those that live in old coniferous forests. You can follow the tracks of Red Squirrels and Mountain Hares, or be joined at the camp fire by a flock of titmice.
Woodpeckers´ domain
Spruces and old pines are rich in insects. You can sometimes see the galleries of wood-boring insects and foraging marks from woodpeckers. Grey-headed Woodpecker, Black Woodpecker, Lesser-spotted Woodpecker and Three-toed Woodpecker all thrive in Skuleskogen. Capercaillie feed on the pines in winter, and Hazel Grouse hide in the damp forests. Black Grouse and Crested Tits can also be seen in the park. Northern Wrens, Wood Warblers and Blackcaps nest in the more deciduous valleys.
Tracking animals
Animals can move undisturbed in Skuleskogen. If you visit the park in winter, you will be able to study their tracks in the snow. The Lynx is found in rocky terrain. Its prey, the Mountain Hare, browses birch buds and pine shoots at the edge of rocky pine forest. Moose, Red Fox, Stoat, Pine Marten, Eurasian Beaver, and Red Squirrel are examples of other animals whose tracks can be seen in the national park.
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