Reportedly, horses were allowed to graze on the abandoned field.

Abandoned fields and pastures have reverted to forests of beech, birch, maple, hemlock, pine and oak.

It also grows in roadsides and abandoned fields but generally requires nutrient-rich soils.

Much of the primeval vegetation returned, and abandoned fields and pastures were reforested.

In addition, fire was used to prevent abandoned fields from growing over and to clear areas for planting corn and tobacco.