The Park’s northern section (north of the Outer Ring Road) is a vast expanse of mature and immature forests with shrublands, barrens and wetlands scattered throughout. The southern section is open parkland with scattered wetlands and mature forest along the slopes of Mount Scio. In 2011, Pippy Park collaborated with the Nature Conservancy of Canada to inventory the forests of Pippy Park.
Native tree species include spruce, balsam fir, poplar, larch, white birch and mountain ash. Secondary growth and a natural thinning of the forest is evidence of the considerable logging that took place in the Park during the 1930s and 40s. Replanting with black spruce and Japanese larch in several areas followed the fire of 1961.
Several areas of significant flora are located within the Park.
How the rare Leopard marsh orchid, a variety of a species native to Europe, came to the Park remains a mystery. Nevertheless, the colony is thriving and specimens can be seen at MUN Botanical Gardens.
Other plant species are indicators of the Park’s agricultural heritage. For example, remnants of a hawthorn are found near the top of Nagle’s Place. Not native to Newfoundland, hawthorn was commonly planted by farmers originating from Britain. The former Shamrock Farm, west of Long Pond Marsh, has several introduced tree species including the only sweet chestnut tree in the province. And clumps of manna grass-rare in Newfoundland are found in several wetlands in the Park. The grass was originally introduced for cattle fodder.
