Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Tar Dam Pines (No. 486)

Overview

Location

Within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Oconto County. T32N-R17E, Sections 9, 10, 15, 16. 847 acres.

Access

The site is located approximately 3 miles south and 8 miles east of Lakewood. The site is accessible from Forest Roads 2104 and 2324. From Lakewood, go south on Highway 32 4.5 miles, then east on Tar Dam Road 7.3 miles to a 90 degree turn in the road. Park and walk east into the site.

Description

Description

Tar Dam Pines features several stands of oak and pine-oak woodland, most with white oak as a common canopy species. Other canopy trees include red oak, sugar maple, paper birch, and white pine. An interesting and unique area occurs to the west where the canopy becomes scattered and the habitat is dominated by a groundlayer of bracken fern and early low blueberry. It is unclear whether this community type is an artifact of past harvest or is evidence of a prior savanna/woodland or bracken grassland community. Original land survey records mention there being “sparsely timbered land” in this area. Scattered rocks and boulders occur within the complex and support common polypody while areas of exposed bedrock contain species such as Cladonia and pale corydalis. Along the east end of the site is a black ash dominated swamp. Similar lowland black ash swamps occur throughout the complex along intermittent creeks. Together these lowland areas form the headwaters of the drainage leading to Waupee Creek. Other notable species include Indian cucumber root (Medeola virginiana) and white adder’s mouth (Malaxis brachypoda). Tar Dam Pines is owned by the US Forest Service and was designated a State Natural Area in 2007.

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.

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)