Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Patterson Hemlocks (No. 216)

Overview

Location

Oneida County. T39N-R4E, Section 3 NE¼, E½NW¼. T40-R4E, Sections 34, 35. 304 acres.

Access

From the intersection of U.S. Highway 51 and State Highway 70 in Woodruff, go west on Highway 70 13.1 miles, then south on West Clear Lake Road 1 mile to the northern boundary of the site. Park along the road.

Description

Description

Patterson Hemlocks protects a large block of old-growth northern mesic forest on an isthmus between Clear and Fuller Lakes with large hemlock, yellow birch, and white pine throughout. The tract contains examples of all stages of development in a hemlock-hardwood forest from areas of dense hemlock saplings to a mature stand of hemlock with scattered clumps of supercanopy white pine. The hemlock and yellow birch are in the 15-30 inch size class while some white pines are greater than three feet in diameter (dbh) and 120 feet high. The eastern portion of the site is relatively level but becomes more rolling toward the west. Many dead standing trees, a very thick duff layer, and rotting logs on the ground accentuate the stand's old-growth appearance. Understory shrubs include mountain maple and beaked hazelnut. Intermediate wood fern and shining club moss dominate the herbaceous layer, and large patches of mountain wood-sorrel are scattered throughout. Other plants include sharp-lobed hepatica, three-leaved gold-thread, bunchberry, and large-leaved aster. Several soft-water ephemeral pools contain blue-joint grass, common bladderwort, water smartweed, coon's-tail, rattlesnake grass, and wool-grass, and afford breeding areas for frogs and salamanders. Nesting birds include black-throated green and blackburnian warblers, veery, pileated woodpecker, and the red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus), a threatened species in Wisconsin. Patterson Hemlocks is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1987.

Maps

The WDNR's State Natural Areas Program is comprised of lands owned by the state, private conservation organizations, municipalities, other governmental agencies, educational institutions, and private individuals. Therefore, while the majority of SNAs are open to the public, access may vary accordingly. Public use restrictions may apply due to public safety, or to protect endangered or threatened species or unique natural features. Lands may be temporarily closed due to specific management activities. Users are encouraged to contact the land owner for more specific details.

The data shown on these maps have been obtained from various sources, and are of varying age, reliability, and resolution. The data may contain errors or omissions and should not be interpreted as a legal representation of legal ownership boundaries.

• Guidebook Map [PDF, 50 KB]
• Detailed Map [PDF, 158 KB]
• Line Map [PDF, 30 KB]

Objectives

Site Objectives

Manage the property’s uplands as a reserve for relict old-growth northern mesic forest and wet-mesic forest and as an ecological reference area. Natural processes will determine the structure of the forest. Manage property’s ephemeral pond depressions as aquatic reserves and ecological reference areas.

Management Approach

The property is primarily managed passively, allowing nature to determine the ecological characteristics of the site. Exceptions include control of invasive plants and animals, access to suppress wildfires, and maintenance of existing facilities. Salvage of trees after a major wind event is not considered compatible with management objectives.

Site-Specific Considerations

• Utility corridor management occurs sporadically within the utility easement area.

Activities

Please come prepared for your visit. Amenities vary from site to site with most SNAs being primitive and without facilities. See Guidelines for Visitation for details.

Allowable Activities

Most DNR-owned SNAs allow:

• Hiking
• Hunting
• Fishing
• Trapping
• Skiing

Some exceptions apply. Properties closed to the public or closed to specific use, such as hunting, will be posted.

***For non-DNR-owned SNAs: Additional use guidelines may apply. Please verify any use restrictions with the landowner or contact the SNA Program. Landowners may require additional permits or restrict the number of hunters at a given SNA to provide a quality hunting experience. SNA landowners can be found at the bottom of each SNA description page.

Prohibited Activities

• Horseback riding
• Rock climbing
• Vehicles, including bicycles, ATVs, aircraft, and snowmobiles except on trails and roadways designated for their use
• Collecting of plants (including fruits, nuts, or edible plant parts), animals, fungi, rocks, minerals, fossils, archaeological artifacts, soil, downed wood, or any other natural material, alive or dead

Please note that a permit is required for scientific collection and research on State Natural Areas. For more information, contact Thomas Meyer, State Natural Areas Program Specialist.

For more information on rules governing state-owned SNAs and other state lands, please consult Wisconsin's Administrative Code Chapter NR 45 (exit DNR)