Memorial Grove Hemlocks
No. 294
Photo by L. Parker
Memorial Grove Hemlocks features an excellent example of an old-growth hemlock forest dominated by hemlock with yellow birch and sugar maple and exhibiting very little evidence of human disturbance. Other trees include basswood, white ash, black ash, paper birch, and balsam fir. Sugar maple is reproducing vigorously in canopy gaps created by windthrow and disease while hemlock seedlings are frequently on down, well-rotted logs but are not reaching sapling size due to browsing by deer and snowshoe hare. Deer browse is also responsible for the reduction of Canada yew, which is present but uncommon in the understory. The shrub layer and herb layer consist of mountain maple, fly honeysuckle, beaked hazelnut, red elder, intermediate wood fern, small enchanter’s-nightshade, Canada mayflower, wild sarsaparilla, shining club-moss, and wood sorrel. The forest is situated on an end moraine with numerous kettle holes throughout. The site provides good habitat for a variety of forest songbirds including blackburnian, and black-throated green warblers, ovenbird, solitary vireo, golden-crowned kinglet, and brown creeper. The grove was established as a memorial to four Forest Service employees who lost their lives in World War II. Memorial Grove Hemlocks is owned by the U.S. Forest Service and was designated a State Natural Area in 1996. This site is also recognized by the Forest Service as an established Research Natural Area.
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. Trails, if present, are typically undesignated footpaths. If a developed trail is present, it will normally be noted on the SNA map. 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.
Non-DNR lands
Entrance fees: For non-DNR-owned SNAs, we are unaware of any vehicle or admission fees. However, please contact the landowner for more information.
Hunting and trapping
Other activities
Other allowable activities such as - but not limited to camping, geocaching, and bicycling are determined by the landowner. Please contact them directly or visit their websites for details.
Location
Within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Price County. T39N-R3E, Sections 1, 12. 182 acres.
Driving directions
From the intersection of State Highways 70 and 13 in Fifield, go east on 70 for 18 miles to a small wayside on the north side of the road. A footpath from the parking area leads north into the forest. Alternatively, from Fifield go east on 70 18 miles, then north on Turner Lake Road/Forest Road 143 0.25 miles to a small parking area, a footpath, and an interpretive sign east of the road.
The DNR'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. 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.
Memorial Grove Hemlocks is owned by: U.S. Forest Service