Agencies
Services
Nature Preserve Area
7
County
Washington
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
Topographic Quad
Beaucoup
Topo Map
For Further Information
Site Superintendent Washington County Conservation Area, Nashville, IL 62263 (618/327-3137)