This area to the west of the Twin Cities featured 3,000 square miles of red oak, white oak, sugar maple, basswood and elm forest prior to settlement by Europeans. About 1% of this forest remains in several parks and natural areas.
![Old growth maple, oak and ash, Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, Minnesota](/sites/cffe.cfans.umn.edu/files/2021-11/HECtr_Pic_bw_2.jpg)
![Bloodroot in Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, Minnesota](/sites/cffe.cfans.umn.edu/files/2021-11/HECtr_Pic_bw_6.jpg)
![Earthworm and deer impacted old growth maple and oak forest in Wood-Rill Scientific and Natural Area](/sites/cffe.cfans.umn.edu/files/2021-11/HECtr_Pic_bw_3_0.jpg)
![Old growth maple and oak forest not impacted by earthworms and deer in Taylor's Woods, Elm Creek Park Preserve](/sites/cffe.cfans.umn.edu/files/2021-11/HECtr_Pic_bw_5.jpg)
This area to the west of the Twin Cities featured 3,000 square miles of red oak, white oak, sugar maple, basswood and elm forest prior to settlement by Europeans. About 1% of this forest remains in several parks and natural areas.