12 



level and 100-foot tape and diameter measured by a diameter 

 tape. Age was determined as accurately as possible from incre- 

 ment borings. 



The trees are located near the foot of a slight slope rising 

 from a poorly-drained area. Although the soil is shown as peat 

 in the soil map of Mille Lacs County,- a closer examination 

 showed it to consist of a somewhat sandy, clay loam, becoming 

 heavier in texture with depth. Orange and brick-red mottlings 

 at about two feet gave evidence of a fluctuating water table 

 which at that time was found at 33 inches. A thin layer of 

 leached, gray soil (A2) was noted in one place where the soil was 

 disturbed, but none was present in the profile taken. 



The surrounding forest is composed of an all-aged stand 

 which is transitional between the white spruce-balsam fir-paper 

 birch type, the climax forest of northern Minnesota, and the 

 sugar maple-basswood type, the climax association of the south- 

 ern part of the State. In order of their obser\-ed importance the 

 trees present are balsam fir, yellow birch, black ash. white pine, 

 and white spruce. Some sugar maple and paper birch also occur 

 in small numbers, but basswood appears to be absent in the 

 immediate neighborhood of the hemlock. From the composition 

 it is evident that the stand, although transitional between the 

 two climax associations, tends more toward the white spruce- 

 balsam fir-paper birch type than toward the deciduous climax. 



Since the area has been cut over at various times in recent 

 years for spruce and paper birch Tbirch stumps 16 to 18 inches 

 in diameter were seen), the stand is generally irregular and open. 

 In the proximity of the hemlock group, it is somewhat denser, 

 however. At present the area is also used for pasture. 



Because of the cutting and the grazing, the future of these 

 trees and this botanical station is not very promising. Repro- 

 duction of hemlock and also of other species, probably because 

 of the grazing, was practically absent at least from the vicinity 

 of the old trees. Although only about a dozen one- or two-inch 

 hemlock seedlings were found, chiefly on an old, badly-decayed 

 stump of this species, others may possibly have been concealed 



^ Bodman, G. B., et al, 1932, Soil Surv^ey of Mille Lacs County, Minnesota. 

 U. S. Department of Agr. Bur. Chem. and Soils Series 1927, No. 37, 46 p., 

 illus, map. 



