Posen Woods Nature Preserve

Washington County

Location and Access:

From Nashville at jct. Hwys. 15 & 127, take Hwy. 127 south 4.5 miles to Washington County State Conservation Area. The nature preserve is in the conservation area east of Washington County Lake and is east of the conservation area access road.

Description:

Posen Woods has southern flatwoods, dry-mesic upland forest and intermittent stream communities of the Mt. Vernon Hill Country Section of the Southern Till Plain Natural Division. It is one of only two preserved flatwoods left in this section. The claypan sub-soil, derived from glacial deposits and loess, is the reason for the unique character of the flatwoods because the very compacted, impermeable soils impedes drainage and reduces root penetration. As a result, severe drought conditions stunt the growth of the trees which are very old but of diminished size. The unique features of the trees have made Posen Woods a very valuable area for tree ring research.

Ownership: Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Dedicated: August 1975

Size: 40 acres

Topo Map: Beaucoup 7.5

For Further Information Contact: Site Superintendent Washington County Conservation Area, Nashville, IL 62263 (618/327-3137) or Illinois Department of Natural Resources - World Shooting Complex, Natural Heritage Biologist, One Main Event Drive, Suite 140, Sparta, IL 62286 (618/295-2877)

1/2009 - R. Heidorn