38 Berkshire Hall
The property at 38 Berkshire Hall is located in the central region of the Turtle Point enclave, almost adjacent to Governors Drive. It is bounded by 37 Berkshire Hall to its east, a bicycle path and Governors Drive to the north and Berkshire Hall to the south. There is no developable property to the west of 38 Berkshire Hall – the site of a narrow buffer that runs between Berkshire Hall and the bicycle path. The area of the property is 0.35 acres. The lot displays the typical flora indicative of maritime forest habitat on Kiawah Island:
Forest Canopy
The forest canopy at 38 Berkshire Hall is dominated by laurel oaks and loblolly pines. There is an occasional large live oak on the property. Mature cabbage palmettos are scarce – the largest observed being about 15 feet in height.
Sub-Canopy (Understory)
The sub-canopy at 38 Berkshire Hall varies in density, with a few areas being somewhat open and other areas being almost impossible to move through. The sub-canopy is dominated by wax myrtles, red bay, yaupon holly and American beautyberry. Dune greenbrier and fringed greenbrier are extensive throughout the property’s understory. Wax myrtles and large winged sumac are quite prevalent, especially along the property’s edges.
Vines (Understory)
The property displayed a variety of vines characteristic of maritime forest habitat: Virginia creeper, yellow jasmine, muscadine grape and poison ivy. Pepper-vine, a somewhat rare maritime forest plant is also present. Vines were quite extensive in some areas of the property.
Forest Floor (Understory)
The forest floor is well covered: dune greenbrier, fringed greenbrier, young yaupon holly, young wax myrtles and immature palms are all present. There are also several stumps and dead trees on the property, as well as leaf litter.
The property has potential for supporting wildlife populations. The feature that gives the property its greatest conservation value is its understory. It is very dense – approximately two thirds of the lot is impenetrable. This sort of habitat provides potential daytime rest areas for deer and bobcats. The extensive understory and variety of plants also provide good habitat (and food sources) for birds. There is no evidence of bush-hogging on the property - the relative openness of the remaining one third of the lot appears to be the result of shading from the forest canopy. The property is close to a pond as well as a noted wildlife corridor - the corridor connects the Kiawah river marsh to Turtle Point Golf Course via a KICA buffer (to the north) and pond edge habitat exhibited by Pond 45, just to the east of the property.
It was also noted that no invasive species were present on the property.
Bobcat data collected since 2000 (including the new GPS pilot study points) show bobcat activity in the area, with two locations within the lot’s boundaries.
This property was preserved in July 2007.
2005 Town of Kiawah Island Aerial Photography
Governors Dr
Berkshire Hall
