By Ron Hellmich,
Assistant Director for Public Lands
Division of Fish, Wildlife and Nature Preserves
Ogle Hollow Nature Preserve is located in Brown County State Park. This nature preserve protects mesic and dry-mesic upland forests that are representative of the Brown County Hills area. Species dependent on forested areas find this place a home.
This preserve is 41 acres in size and can be found near the youth camp and Trail 5 leads through the preserve. This trail is moderate to difficult with uneven surfaces and steep terrain.
Cool moist conditions on the north-facing slope make the preserve particularly rich. The rare yellowwood tree is an outstanding feature of this preserve. Ogle Hollow is one of the few places in Indiana where these trees are found. Due to high deer populations in past decades, the native pawpaw has created thick, colonial stands, competing with regeneration of the native yellowwood; restoration projects are working to change that, in addition to the yellowwood, chestnut oak and black oak are found on the upper slope. Red and white oaks are at lower elevations. The understory has beautiful flowering dogwood and redbud, mixed with pawpaw, spicebush, ironwood, and musclewood. Wildflowers also add their color during the growing season. Christmas fern is widely distributed and often associated with maidenhair fern and glade fern on the slopes.
When visiting Brown County State Park, be sure to check out this nature preserve.
Photo credit DNR.gov