Mettler's Woods - Hutcheson Memorial Forest Center

Mettler's Woods is one of three patches of virgin woods remaining in New Jersey, and one of the last uncut, unburned oak-hickory forests in the country. The 65-acre forest is a National Natural Landmark and lies within the larger 500-acre William L. Hutcheson Memorial Forest Center, which is managed by Rutgers University, Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources.

The forest, predominantly oak and hickory with red maple and American beech, is managed as a living laboratory, with experiments on forest renewal, forest succession, and similar research topics. The old-growth forest has stood for hundreds of years, serving as sanctuary for biodiversity in our rapidly urbanizing landscape.