Most of the forests in park have been logged over time in the past. Still, as much time has passed, the forests have regrown with diminishing evidence of former logging. The major part of the upland forests are extensive, mature beech/maple hardwoods. This forest has a good representation of hemlock, white pine, basswood, and white ash. There will also be some red oak, ironwood and black cherry. In some of the forest openings and former disturbed aras you will find birch and aspen. One of the most appealing aspects of this forest is the rich, ephemeral flower display of the forest floor in the spring. The forest is carpeted with spring beauty, trillium, Jack-in-the –pulpit, hepatica, Canada violets, trout lily, bloodroot, and Dutchman’s-breeches.
A grove of giant northern white cedar trees on South Manitou Island offer an impressive example of the earliest, untouched forest.
