Cudahy Woods State Nature Area

Cudahy Nature Preserve is a Southern Mesic Forest consisting of northern and southern uplands separated by a small perennial stream and adjacent riparian wetlands. Detailed plant inventories have discovered 198 native species of plants including 54 species of native trees and shrubs. Approximately 75% of the woodland would be of an age class that would be considered old growth forest and the oldest trees are likely 200+ years of age. As is typical with this type of forest, the dominant canopy trees consist of sugar maple, red oak, American basswood with smaller populations of eastern white oak, American beech, and bitternut hickory. Given the Preserve’s proximity to Lake Michigan, it also acts as an important stopover site for migratory birds, with 121 species seen to date.