Cedar Bog Nature Preserve

Cedar Bog Nature Preserve is a remnant alkaline fen with sedge meadow, white cedar forests, and adjacent swamp hardwood forests. The Preserve is actually a fen (as it drains water) left behind by the retreating glaciers of the Wisconsin glaciation about 12,000-18,000 years ago.

Northern white cedar forms a climax forest adjacent to the sedge meadows. The hardwood forest includes elm, cottonwood, sycamore, silver maple, oak (white and red oak groups), tulip poplar, basswood and, black walnut.

The fen conditions, including hydric soils and flooding, make the forest somewhat susceptible to wind-throw, so a mix of shade tolerant and intolerant species are present. Estimated old growth hardwood age is approximately 300-400 years. The previous property owners did not use the wooded portions of the property due to the wet nature of the soils.