At 56° N latitude, Moscow is at the northern end of the deciduous forest zone of Europe. We will have brief stays at two Biological Field Stations of Moscow State University—Zvenigorod to the North of Moscow, and Chernogolovka to the South. We will also visit a pristine example of this diverse forest type at Elk Island National Park.

Typically, these northeastern European forests are dominated by birch (Betula pendula and/or B. verucosa) and oak (Quercus robur), with subdominant linden (Tilia cordata), ash (Fraxinus excelsior), maple (Acer platanoides and/or A. tatarica), aspen (Populus tremula), European pine (Pinus sylvestris), Norway spruce (Picea abies), larch (Larix decidua, L. sibirica), birdcherry (Prunus padus), hazelnut (Corylus avellana), and elm (Ulmus glabra).

Many species of willows (Salix) grow along the edges of streams and lakes. In the understory grow such shrubs as Juniperus communis, Sorbus occuparia, Viburnum, Amelanchier, and Cornus. Many of these woody species are "sister species" of those that grow in the eastern deciduous forests and, in some cases, in the western mountains of North America. A few of them, such as the prostrate juniper, have "Holarctic" distributions, meaning the same species occurs all across Europe, Asia, and North America.

As we’ll travel subsequently north to the boreal forest zone (ca. 61° N), with its much lower species diversity of trees, we’ll be able to compare species composition and other forest attributes with these relatively lush and diverse mixed forests.

After our 3½ days exploring these deciduous forests of easternmost Europe, we’ll have the better part of a day to explore some of the famous tourist sites of the Russian capital, such as Red Square, before flying on to Syktyvkar late that evening.