The New Jersey Pinelands is one of the most fascinating places on earth. Packed with folklore about demons and ghosts, as well as glass-making ghost towns and lots of historic villages and buildings still standing, there’s almost no better place to explore if you want to see a unique side of the Garden State. The Pines take up nearly a quarter of all of New Jersey’s land, and there are endless treasures to discover. One of the most unique is the Pygmy Pitch Pine forest in Warren Grove. It’s one of the only dwarf forests in the country.

If you've ever driven Route 539 through the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, chances are you've noticed that, at some point, the tall and towering conifer trees turn into tiny patches of pines that are barely taller than your car.
Google Street View
If you're a curious driver, you may have even pulled over to make sure you weren't imagining it.
This unique patch of pygmy pitch pines near Warren Grove, New Jersey is one of only a few dwarf forests in the whole country.
Flickr / Vilseskogen

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It's a little unreal to walk through this miniature forest, and you'll feel like a giant when you do.
Facebook / Charlotte M. Hoak Pygmy Forest
Like so many of the wonders of the Pine Barrens, the pygmy pitch pine forest is heavily influenced by frequent wildfires. The biggest contributing factor to the height of these trees? They just don't live long enough to grow any bigger.
Flickr / Bob
The trees also struggle to grow in the nutrient-poor sandy soil. This isn't an overhead photo, by the way - this is what you'll see if you follow the trails through the Wildlife Management Area.
Facebook / New Jersey Pinelands Commission

Most dwarf or pygmy forests in the world are located in tropical and coastal areas. They’re found in Oregon and parts of California, as well as in various rainforests. The Warren Grove Pygmy Pines may be the only pine tree dwarf forest you’ll ever get to see.

 

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Warren Grove, Stafford Township, NJ 08005, USA