MICHIGAN BOTANICAL SOCIETY

         SOUTHWESTERN CHAPTER FIELD TRIP

           Southern Hardwood Swamp

                         Jenney Woods

                 Calhoun County Conservation District

With Joe Trapp

Michigan Botanical Society, Southwestern Chapter

Saturday August 23, 2025, 10 AM to noon

 Southern Hardwood Swamp is a forested wetland dominated by a variety of lowland hardwoods that occur on poorly drained mineral or organic soils throughout the southern lower peninsula of Michigan.  Most Southern Hardwood Swamps, like Jenney Woods, show evidence of hydrologic disturbances including ditching and the conversion of adjacent uplands for agricultural and residential uses.

 Jenney Woods is a 156-acre tract owned by the Calhoun County Conservation District and is part of the Hunter’s Access Program. The site is a mix of grassland, Dry-Mesic Southern Forest, and Southern Hardwood Swamp. The Hardwood Swamp occupies a surface water depression where impermeable

subsurface clay layers impede internal drainage and allow water to pool seasonally. Species composition in these systems is regulated by inundation in spring and early summer followed by soil desiccation in late summer and fall. The dense canopy is predominately red maple (Acer rubrum).  Both the shrub and ground layers are remarkably sparse. The adjacent uplands included a variety of oaks including pin oak (Quercus palustris), swamp white oak (Q. bicolor), bur oak (Q. macrocarpa), and shingle oak (Q. imbricaria). 

 Swamps are wet and muddy, so rubber boots are recommended. The trail from the parking lot is deeply rutted two-track with shoulder high grasses. Walking in the swamp will be slow and muddy. Insect repellent, sunscreen, water as well as suitable clothing are suggested. The trip difficulty level is rated moderate but may be difficult in places.

 Joe Trapp is the current President of the Southwestern Chapter of the Michigan Botanical Society. 

 Directions: From the Kalamazoo area, take I-94 east to exit 104 (11 Mile Road).  Turn left (south) on to 11 Mile Road, then turn left (southeast) on M-96.  Turn right (south) on to 12 Mile Road/Ceresco Road. In 4.7 miles, Jenney Woods will be on your left (east).  There is a small parking lot. The coordinates are 42.219216829544685, -85.06046338423425