Author
Lapin, Carly
Title
Plum Lake Hemlock Forest SNA [State Natural Area]
Series
NHAL State Forest Visitor's Guide, 2018, "Natural Community Spotlight,", P. 13
Publisher
Lakeland Times
City
Minocqua
Date
2018
Original Date
Comments

Text contains references to fire in the area in 1810 and white pine logging in the 1880s.

Libraries
  • Bookwood Historical Collection, Star Lake
Text

Plum Lake Hemlock Forest SNA, designated in 1953, is an outstanding example of old growth Northern Mesic Forest on rolling topography between Star and Plum lakes. Trees within this stand indicate that it originated following fire in approximately 1810, succeeding from aspen to pine to hemlock. Now, the canopy is composed of hemlock, yellow birch, sugar maple, basswood, and paper birch. It appears that white pine were selectively cut from the stand in the 1880's. This SNA includes portions of the Trampers Trail, which circumnavigates Star Lake.