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 Heavy clay soils and slow drainage characterizes much of this preserve. As a consequence of the soil types, early farming was restricted to the higher points on the property and the forested area was used as pasture. Today, the forested areas with their standing water present a unique ecosystem. Enormous Swamp White Oak and Green Ash are found scattered throughout the woods. Rare plants such as Shinleaf, Large-seed Sedge and Buttonbush, are found here. Wood Duck and Blue-wing Warblers are nesting here.
Most of the forested area was designated as an Illinois Nature Preserve. Extensive restoration efforts have been made here to eradicate non-native shrubs from woodland tracts.
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