Drummond Woods

State Natural Area (No. 427)

Location: Within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Bayfield County. T45N-R7W, Sections 23, 25-28, 33-36. 2,361 acres.

Access: rom Drummond, go east on US Highway 63 2.2 miles. The site lies north and south of the highway and is located along both sides of Highway 63 starting at the north edge of Drummond and extending north along the highway for four miles.

Description: Drummond Woods contains older growth northern mesic hardwoods with a significant hemlock component, often with diameters up to 40 inches. On hummocky, rolling terrain is a hemlock-dominated old-growth forest with super-canopy white and red pine, large snags, and coarse woody debris. Associated hardwoods include sugar maple, yellow birch, paper birch, and basswood. Wet pockets of black ash and red maple are present, as are a few scattered ephemeral ponds. The understory is sparse with tree saplings and American fly honeysuckle, beaked hazelnut, and leatherwood. Characteristic herbs include Canada mayflower, intermediate wood fern, northern tree club-moss, shining club-moss, and rough leaved rice cut grass. Wetter areas with a hemlock canopy have a groundlayer of three-leaved goldthread, mountain wood sorrel, and yellow blue-bead lily. The site is easily accessible by US Highway 63 and has both an interpretive trail and a portion of the North Country Scenic Trail allowing easy access for the public to view and enjoy old-growth forest. Other important features include hemlock regeneration in early successional forest; ephemeral ponds; and super canopy white pine. Drummond Woods is owned by the US Forest Service and was designated a State Natural Area in 2007.