State Natural Areas_Content Page_JungHemlockBeechForest_129

Jung Hemlock-Beech Forest

No. 129

129_jung.jpeg

Photo by Thomas A. Meyer/DNR

 

Jung Hemlock-Beech Forest is a remnant of the extensive northern mesic forest that once covered millions of acres in northeastern Wisconsin. It is one of the best remaining forests of its type in the northeast region. The woods contain old-growth hemlock, American beech, and sugar maple with yellow birch and scattered white pine. Beech is near the western limit of its range here. Tree size indicates the stand is between 180 and 230 years old. The outstanding features of the site are its uniformity and the presence of hemlock seedlings and saplings, which is unlike most sites where the young hemlocks are heavily damaged by browsing deer.

Shrubs include American fly honeysuckle, eastern leatherwood, and maple-leaved viburnum with sharp-lobed hepatica, common oak fern, yellow blue bead-lily, Indian cucumber-root, wintergreen, American starflower, and beech-drops, a root parasite of beech trees. Within the site are several small sedge-sphagnum bogs with scattered tamarack and black spruce. Also present are bog-laurel, leather-leaf, bog rosemary, and mountain holly with cotton grass, small cranberry, blueberry, pitcher plant, and sundew. At the south end is abandoned agricultural land now succeeding naturally to the forest. Common nesting birds include wood thrush, red-eyed vireo, ovenbird, the eastern wood pewee, and rose-breasted grosbeak. Jung Hemlock-Beech Forest is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1976.

Very few State Natural Areas have public facilities, but nearly all are open for a variety of recreational activities as indicated below. Generally, there are no picnic areas, restrooms, or other developments. Parking lots or designated parking areas are noted on individual SNA pages and maps. If a developed trail is present, it will usually be noted on the SNA map and/or under the Maps tab. A compass and topographic map or a GPS unit are useful tools for exploring larger, isolated SNAs.

The good majority of SNAs are isolated and have few or no facilities. Some SNAs have vehicle access lanes or parking lots, but their accessibility may vary depending on weather conditions. Parking lots and lanes are not plowed during winter. Hiking trails may be nonexistent or consist of undeveloped footpaths. A GPS unit or compass and a detailed topographic map are useful tools for exploring larger SNAs.

Entrance fees: Except for Parfrey's Glen, the Cambrian Outlook in the Dells of the Wisconsin River, SNAs within State Parks and some within State Forests, all other DNR-owned SNAs do not have any admission fees. For more information, see Wis. Admin. Code NR 45 [exit DNR]. For non-DNR-owned SNAs, we are unaware of any vehicle or admission fees. However, please contact the landowner for more information.

Allowable activities: DNR-owned land

The activities listed below are generally allowed on all DNR-owned SNA lands. Exceptions to this list of public uses, such as SNAs closed to hunting, are noted above and posted with signs on the property site.

Prohibited activities: all SNAs

Although some sites allow activities like primitive camping (e.g. Lower Chippewa River on sand bars) or horseback riding (e.g. S. Kettle Moraine), the activities listed below are generally prohibited on DNR-owned SNAs.

  • Camping and campfires
  • Collecting of animals (other than legally harvested species), non-edible fungi, rocks, minerals, fossils, archaeological artifacts, soil, downed wood, or any other natural material, alive or dead.
  • Collecting for scientific research requires a permit issued by the DNR
  • Collecting of plants including seeds, roots or other non-edible parts of herbaceous plants such as wildflowers or grasses
  • Drones: Flying-related activities, including the use of drones, hang-gliders and model airplanes, are prohibited. Permission may be issued by the SNA Program for the use of drones for educational or research purposes
  • Geocaching
  • Horseback riding
  • Rock climbing
  • Vehicles, including bicycles, ATVs, aircraft, and snowmobiles except on trails and roadways designated for their use.

For rules governing state-owned SNAs and other state lands, please consult Chapter NR 45 Wis. Admin. Code [exit DNR].

Location

Shawano County. T27N-R14E, Section 23 E½NW¼. 80 acres.

Driving directions

From the intersection of County Highways A and G in Gresham, go south on A for about 2 miles, then south on County U for 1 mile, then east on Winkle Road for 0.3 miles to a small parking area south of the road.

The DNR's state natural areas program comprises lands owned by the state, private conservation organizations, municipalities, other governmental agencies, educational institutions and private individuals. While the majority of SNAs are open to the public, access may vary according to individual ownership policies. 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 landowner 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. To create your custom map where you can zoom to a specific location, please use the DNR's Mapping Application.

Property Map [PDF]

Jung Hemlock-Beech Forest is owned by: Wisconsin DNR