Belden Forest

{{short description|Old-growth forest in Connecticut}}

{{Infobox protected area

| name = Belden Forest

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| photo = Belden Forest, Simsbury, CT - Trees (January 2021).jpg

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| photo_caption = Belden Forest in 2021

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| map = USA Connecticut

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| map_caption = Map of Connecticut

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| location = Simsbury, Connecticut

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| coordinates = {{coords|41.871640|-72.804106|region:US-CT|display=inline, title}}

| area = {{Convert|40|acre}}

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Belden Forest is a {{convert|40|acre|ha|adj=on}} wooded area owned by the Town of Simsbury, which was inducted into the Old-Growth Forest Network in October 2019.{{cite web |title=Forest Dedication: Belden Forest - Our First Connecticut Forest! |url=https://www.oldgrowthforest.net/events/2019/10/25/etogz9h7gli206ug6daioxhuxswfk2 |website=Old-Growth Forest Network |access-date=17 January 2021}} The trails are open to the public.{{cite web |title=Local forest is first in state recognized by Old-Growth Forest Network |url=https://www.todaypublishing.net/post/local-forest-is-first-in-state-recognized-by-old-growth-forest-network |website=Today Magazine Online |access-date=17 January 2021 |date=Oct 25, 2019}}

The property was previously part of the summer residence and estate of Amos R. Eno,{{cite news |last1=Marteka |first1=Peter |title=Belden Forest In Simsbury Offers Thrills And Inspiration |url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2011-04-08-hc-marteka-belden-forest-0408-20110408-story.html |access-date=17 January 2021 |work=The Hartford Courant |date=April 8, 2011}} and was acquired by the Town of Simsbury in 1946.{{cite web |title=Forest Dedication: Belden Forest - Our First Connecticut Forest! |url=https://www.oldgrowthforest.net/events/2019/10/25/etogz9h7gli206ug6daioxhuxswfk2 |website=Old-Growth Forest Network |access-date=17 January 2021}} The forest includes a large stand of old eastern white pines; many of which are over 100 feet tall. It also has beech trees, eastern hemlocks, oaks, maples and birch trees.{{cite web |title=Belden Forest |url=https://www.oldgrowthforest.net/ct-belden-forest |website=Old-Growth Forest Network |access-date=17 January 2021 |quote=The white pines are the grandest trees in this forest, and some cores show them to be around 150 years old. One was measured to be 144 feet tall.}} All of the trees in the forest are permanently protected from commercial logging.{{cite web |title=Local forest is first in state recognized by Old-Growth Forest Network |url=https://www.todaypublishing.net/post/local-forest-is-first-in-state-recognized-by-old-growth-forest-network |website=Today Magazine Online |access-date=17 January 2021 |date=Oct 25, 2019}}