Bass Hollow State Natural Area

Bass Hollow features one of the largest blocks of undisturbed southern mesic forest in Wisconsin. Located in a deep, cliff-lined coulee, Bass Hollow contains an undisturbed forested gorge of mesic hardwoods with sugar maple, basswood, and red oak. Other trees include yellow birch and black ash found in springy areas. Hemlock occupies north-facing cliffs. The topography is very steep with sandstone cliffs rising over 100 feet high in some places. The upper slopes and ridge tops support a dry to dry-mesic forest of red and white oaks, big-tooth aspen, and black cherry.

The ground layer is diverse and contains two rare plant species – nodding pogonia and autumn coral-root. Other herbaceous plants include doll’s eyes, blue cohosh, wild geranium, hepaticas, early meadow rue, mayapple, sweet cicely, lady fern, fragile fern, and silvery spleenwort.

Bass Hollow is managed as a southern mesic and dry-mesic forest reserve and as an ecological reference area. Natural processes and prescribed understory manipulation will determine the structure of the forest. A portion of the site has old field species and pine plantations. These will be managed over time to develop contiguous forest blocks and eventually converted to hardwoods. The Area provides opportunities for research and education on the highest quality native southern mesic and dry-mesic forests.

Bass Hollow is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1999.

Source: WDNR