Tucker Lake Hemlocks

State Natural Area (No. 296)

Location: Within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Price County. T40N-R3E, Sections 13, 24. T40N-4E, Sections 18, 19. 649 acres.

Access: From Fifield, go east on State Highway 70 17 miles, then north on FR 144 2.2 miles, then east on FR 535 0.5 mile to the Round Lake Ski Trail. Follow the trail north 1.5 miles to the site. Or from 70, go north and west on FR 144 5 miles, then north and east on FR 142 2.6 miles to a marked hiking trail. Walk south 1 mile to the north shore of Round Lake, then follow the trail east 0.25 mile to the old-growth hemlock stand. A map and compass are recommended.

Description: Situated on an isthmus between Tucker and Round Lakes, Tucker Lake Hemlocks contains an old-growth hemlock and yellow birch forest. The forest shows some evidence of past selective harvest but is essentially unmanipulated. Canopy dominants are hemlock and yellow birch with basswood, red maple, white ash, balsam fir, and white pine. Many canopy trees exceed 15 inches in diameter, but scattered, much larger individuals are present with the largest measured being a yellow birch nearly 40 inches in diameter. Reproduction within the old-growth stand is primarily by sugar maple, but hemlock is reproducing well near the south shore of Tucker Lake. The shrub layer is generally sparse except where canopy gaps allow sunlight to penetrate the forest floor. Shrubs include mountain maple, beaked hazelnut, fly honeysuckle, and red elder. Herbs include shining club-moss, wood sorrel, small enchanter’s nightshade, American starflower, Canada mayflower, rosy twisted-stalk, spotted coralroot, and intermediate wood fern. Also present is a small white cedar swamp at the head of a large spring run on the lake's west shore. Tucker Lake is a large, undeveloped drained lake with soft, slightly alkaline, clear water. Aquatic vegetation includes pondweed, bladderwort, common elodea, and water lily. Numerous birds inhabit the area including the federally threatened bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and state-threatened osprey (Pandion haliaetus). Other breeding birds are blackburnian, northern parula, and black-throated green warblers, red-eyed vireo, ovenbird, least flycatcher, and brown creeper. Tucker Lake Hemlocks is owned by the USDA Forest Service and was designated a State Natural Area in 1996.