Marsh Miller Cedars State Natural Area

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Situated on gentle glacial topography, Marsh Miller Cedars features extensive wetland communities along the west side of Marsh Miller Lake. The lake itself is a 436-acre millpond with a maximum depth of 14 feet. The majority of the area is northern wet-mesic forest dominated by white cedar with inclusions of black spruce, tamarack, and balsam fir. Tree sizes vary across the landscape with some areas dominated by smaller trees and other by larger trees. One white cedar was previously aged at being 140 years old. The understory is variable depending on the water table with naked stemmed miterwort, American starflower, three-leaved goldthread, yellow bluebead lily, cinnamon fern, royal fern, and sensitive fern. Two small pockets of hardwood swamp with yellow birch snags and associated coarse woody debris are found within the forest. Fringing the lake edge is tamarack, black spruce, alder, bog birch, and winterberry grading into a sedge meadow with Labrador tea, marsh marigold, bluejoint grass, and marsh bellflower. Birds include bald eagle, common yellowthroat, great blue heron, and swamp sparrow. Marsh Miller Cedars is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 2009.