Squirrel River Pines State Natural Area

Squirrel River Pines features a fine example of northern dry-mesic forest situated on a narrow, sandy peninsula running northeasterly towards the Squirrel River. The forest is dominated by a stand of old, large red pines in the 16" to 24" diameter size class, with a few trees up to 30" in diameter. White pine make up roughly 10% of the canopy but constitute most of the reproduction. Charring on some of the oldest stumps and snags indicates a fire history and probable origin of this stand. The shrub layer is moderately dense, with beaked hazel and Amelanchier species dominant. The herbaceous and low shrub layer is primarily composed of wintergreen, early low blueberry, velvet-leaf blueberry, and Canada mayflower. Other species include pipsissewa, three-leaved goldthread, round-lobed hepatica, twinflower, and one-sided shinleaf. Surrounding the uplands is a large wetland complex of northern wet forest, northern sedge meadow, and alder thicket associated with the Squirrel River, a slow, warm, hard-water river that flows through the site. The natural area supports a diversity of animals, including characteristic species such as pine warbler, red squirrel, and red-breasted nuthatch. Bald eagles have used the pines as a nesting site. Squirrel River Pines is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1991.