English Lake Hemlocks

State Natural Area (No. 423)

Location: Within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Ashland County. T44N-R3W, Sections 8, 9. 155 acres.

Access: The site is located 5 mile west of Mellen, WI. Access is via County Highway GG west 4 miles to Forest Road 1382 (Best Road). The turn right on FR 1382, and left after 0.3 miles on a private home access road for 0.5 miles to the site.

Description: English Lake Hemlocks contains an excellent example of upland and swamp hemlock and white cedar forest with an intact gradient from upland to lowland. Most dramatic is the reproduction of both species with all age classes present. Average diameter for dominant hemlock is 14-18 inches with trees greater than 24 inches common. The core of the site is northern mesic and wet-mesic forest dominated by an overstory of large diameter hemlock, white cedar, yellow birch, a few scattered white pine, red maple and sugar maple. The understory is relatively open with young hemlock and cedar, Canada yew, and mountain maple. Ground flora species include wood ferns, American starflower, bunchberry, wood sorrel, and other TMC species. Along the shore of English Lake is a stand with old-growth features, which is bordered by a conifer swamp to the south. Other notable features include shaded rock outcrops; Canada yew; large diameter red maple and sugar maple, and yellow birch. English Lake itself has excellent aquatic plant life including several large bulrush (Scirpus) beds adjacent to the site. English Lake is a soft-water drainage lake. Common fish species include muskellunge, largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, perch, and pumpkinseed. Breeding birds include yellow-bellied flycatcher, winter wren, hermit thrush, veery, Nashville warbler, ovenbird, and northern waterthrush. English Lake Hemlocks is owned by the US Forest Service and was designated a State Natural Area in 2007.