Toumey Woodlot is a 24 acre old-growth beech maple forest. The old-growth forest covers approximately 13.5 acres with an additional 10.5 acres of buffer primarly on the southeast corner. Originally acquired by the Bennett family in 1852, the woodland was maintained in a relatively undisturbed state. It was acquired by Michigan State University from the Frank Bennett estate in 1939, and fenced to prevent future disturbance. Generally regarded as an old-growth forest, the woods has been the subject of Forestry Department-sponsored studies initiated in 1940, with observations in permanent quadrats at 10-year intervals. The most important tree species are sugar maple, beech, basswood, black cherry, white ash, and red oak. A permanent pond is located on the east side. It was placed on the National Park Service Register of Natural Landmarks in 1976.
References:
Favour, P. 1975. Evaluation of Toumey Woodlot, Ingham County, Michigan for eligibility for registered natural landmark designation. Manuscript, Michigan State University Office of Campus Park & Planning. 6 pp.
Medley, K. 1983. Floristic analysis of Toumey Woodlot: A natural area preserve, Michigan State University. Manuscript, Michigan State University Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Beal-Darlington Herbarium. 25 pp.
Reimer, C.W. 1952. Seasonal radial growth of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) as related to certain environmental factors. Ph.D. Dissertation. Michigan State University, East Lansing.
Schneider, G. 1966. A twenty-year ecological investigation in a relatively undisturbed sugar maple-beech stand in southern Michigan. Agricultural Experiment Station Research Bulletin 15. 61pp.
Walker, E.D. and R.W. Merrit. 1988. The significance of leaf detritus to mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) productivity from treeholes. Environmental Entomology 17:199-206.