Castle Mound Pine Forest State Natural Area

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Castle Mound is a long, narrow, weathering butte rising 180 feet above the surrounding sand plain and composed of Cambrian sandstone about 400 million years old. A variety of exposures and microclimates has resulted in contrasting forest communities on opposite sides of the mound. Exposed and shaded cliffs up to 30 feet high occur along the central backbone ridge, and sandstone boulders litter the sloping forest floor. The protected northeast slope is forested with a mixed pine forest of white and red pines with Hill's oak, white oak, paper birch, red maple, and large-toothed aspen. Groundlayer species typical of the northern forest--pipsissewa, large-leaved aster, partridge berry, and wintergreen--grow here. The dry southwest face is wooded with jack pine and oak. Bird species usually found further north--red-breasted nuthatch, solitary vireo, black-throated green warbler, and pine warbler--have been seen here. A hiking trail traverses the area and there is an observation tower near the center of the mound. Castle Mound Pine Forest is owned by the DNR and was designated a state natural area in November 1952.