Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Plagge Woods (No. 121)

Overview

Location

Chippewa County. T32N-R7W, Section 11. 80 acres.

Access

From the intersection of Highways 27 and M, just east of Holcombe, go west on County M (through Holcombe) 4.25 miles, then north on 240th St. 3.1 miles to the northeast corner of the site.

Description

Description

Plagge Woods is an old-growth northern mesic forest perched atop a monadnock, an isolated rock of conglomerate and quarzite rising 3-400 feet above the countryside. The forest is dominated by sugar maple, basswood, and red and white oak, which covers both the north and south slopes of a ridge on the southeastern edge of the Flambeau Ridge. The forest has a wide range of tree size classes, from seedling and sapling maples to the canopy layer of mature trees, some more than 30 inches in diameter at breast height (dbh). A few white pines on the north side of the tract are in the 3-foot dbh class. Groundlayer species are typical mesic woodland plants such as bedstraws, large-leaved aster, golden saxifrage (in springs), baneberries, miterworts, spring beauty, Canada mayflower, wild geranium, and violets. The site was donated by Henry and August Plagge. Plagge Woods is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1975.

Maps

The WDNR'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. Therefore, while the majority of SNAs are open to the public, access may vary accordingly. 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 land owner 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.

• Detailed Map [PDF, 106 KB]
• Line Map [PDF, 120 KB]

Objectives

Site Objectives

Manage the site as an old-growth northern mesic forest reserve and ecological reference area. Natural processes will determine the structure of the forest.

Management Approach

The property is primarily managed passively, allowing nature to determine the ecological characteristics of the site. Exceptions include control of invasive plants and animals, access to suppress wildfires, and maintenance of existing facilities. Salvage of trees after a major wind event is not considered compatible with management objectives.

Site-Specific Considerations

• Trees fallen onto or leaning over the south fence line can be cut, but left on site.

Activities

Please come prepared for your visit. Amenities vary from site to site with most SNAs being primitive and without facilities. See Guidelines for Visitation for details.

Allowable Activities

Most DNR-owned SNAs allow:

• Hiking
• Hunting
• Fishing
• Trapping
• Skiing

Some exceptions apply. Properties closed to the public or closed to specific use, such as hunting, will be posted.

***For non-DNR-owned SNAs: Additional use guidelines may apply. Please verify any use restrictions with the landowner or contact the SNA Program. Landowners may require additional permits or restrict the number of hunters at a given SNA to provide a quality hunting experience. SNA landowners can be found at the bottom of each SNA description page.

Prohibited Activities

• Horseback riding
• Rock climbing
• Vehicles, including bicycles, ATVs, aircraft, and snowmobiles except on trails and roadways designated for their use
• Collecting of plants (including fruits, nuts, or edible plant parts), animals, fungi, rocks, minerals, fossils, archaeological artifacts, soil, downed wood, or any other natural material, alive or dead

Please note that a permit is required for scientific collection and research on State Natural Areas. For more information, contact Thomas Meyer, State Natural Areas Program Specialist.

For more information on rules governing state-owned SNAs and other state lands, please consult Wisconsin's Administrative Code Chapter NR 45 (exit DNR)