Explore the remaining 1% of Wisconsin's ancient forests. Learn how the Old-Growth Forest Network and The Northwoods Land Trust protect old growth forests.
The Northwoods was once a sea of massive white pine and hemlock trees. We called it the "Great Pinery." Today, less than 1% of that original forest is left. While our local economy grew from the logging era, these few ancient stands are now the heart of our region. Saving these relics is about more than just nature. It is an investment in the historical identity and economic stability of the Northwoods.
The National Goal: One Forest Per County
The Old-Growth Forest Network (OGFN) has a simple plan to protect what remains. They want to find at least one public forest in every U.S. county that can grow them. This is not a distant government rule. It is a local effort to make sure you are never more than a short drive from an ancient forest.
Currently, the network has 320 forests in its system. To join, a forest must have legal protection from logging and be open to the public.
The Local Muscle: The Northwoods Land Trust
While the OGFN sets the national standard, the Northwoods Land Trust (NWLT) does the heavy lifting here at home. Since 2001, the NWLT has protected thousands of acres across Vilas, Oneida, and Iron counties.
They work with private landowners to set up conservation easements. These are legal deals that protect a piece of land forever, even if the property is sold. Through their Old-Growth Forest Initiative, the NWLT helps identify the specific stands of timber that are old enough to join the national network. This preserves our "working forest" heritage while ensuring development does not drive up local infrastructure costs.
Our Local Map: Where to See Them
In Oneida and Vilas Counties, this partnership is already showing results.
Holmboe Conifer Forest (Oneida County): Located in Rhinelander, this site features ancient hemlocks and white cedars along the Pelican River.
Plum Lake Hemlock Forest (Vilas County): A rare stand of near-virgin hemlocks that is vital for local birds and wildlife.
Cathedral Pines (Oconto County): A famous 40-acre grove that was never logged during the 19th-century boom.
Anatomy of an Old-Growth Stand
In our climate, an "old-growth" forest is usually over 125 to 150 years old. They are not just collections of old trees. They are complex systems that work for us.
Dead Wood is Productive: Standing dead trees (snags) provide homes for birds. Fallen logs create "nurse logs" for new seedlings to grow.
The Pine Giants: Some white pines in our sandy soil can live for 400 years if they are left alone.
The Bog Secrets: In wet areas, a tree only ten feet tall might be over a century old because it grows so slowly.
Strategy: How to Help
Protecting the Northwoods requires local action. Here is how you can participate:
Nominate a Forest: If you know of a stand of old timber on public land, you can nominate it to join the OGFN online.
Become a Coordinator: The OGFN needs local volunteers to act as liaisons for each county.
Support the NWLT: Donating to the Northwoods Land Trust keeps the "boots on the ground" effort moving forward to secure new land deals.
To understand this network is to understand the long-term value of a forest left standing. It is a commitment to the evergreen future of the Northwoods.
Explore the Last of the Great Pinery
Reading about these relics is one thing; standing among them is another. I have mapped out the specific trailheads, parking spots, and "hidden" groves for the sites mentioned above. If you are looking to get off the paved path and into the timber, check out our full guide.
You just read issue #48 of Northwoods Ledger. You can also browse the full archives of this newsletter.