Ecology

Patton Woods is a fairly mature and uniform forest showing evidence of disturbance in a few small areas.  The woodland is a relatively dry oak-hickory forest similar in makeup to the upland forests at the Middle Fork Forest Preserve, Allerton Park and other east-central Illinois woodlands.  Although most of the species are characteristic of a dry woods, there are a few scattered plants, mostly along the north edge, that are usually associated with moist soil.  There is a slight rise in elevation near the center of the woods causing water to drain north or south out of the forest thus causing slight variations in the plant community.  Originally an open forest before the Europeans arrived, fire control has allowed some minor  invasion of mesic species like maple and ash along with the development of a dense undergrowth.

Most of the large trees in the woods are white oak and red oaks with shagbark and bitternut hickories scattered among them.  Other large trees contributing to the forest canopy include walnut, basswood, white ash, cherry, and shingle oak.  Occupying the middle story of the forest are the smaller trees and shrubs which include slippery elm, prickly ash, sassafras, hawthorn, and young oak and hickory trees.  Shrubs found in the woods include raspberry, blackberry, and gray dogwood.

Beneath these trees are the ferns and many wildflowers.  Late April and early May are ideal times to visit the woods where the observer will be treated to a display of spring beauty, purple trillium, dutchman's breeches, rue anemone, phlox, and mayapple.  The woods also contain the southern most extension of the uncommon green-bracted orchid.  During the summer and fall, poison ivy is especially abundant along the eastern edge of the woods.  Visitors are cautioned to avoid skin contact.  To date, 180 taxa, 135 genera and 64 families of vascular plants have been identified including two Champaign County records (Prenanthes alba - Rattlesnake-root and Coeloglossum virde - Bracted Green Orchid.

Animal life in the forest includes a variety of birds and mammals.  Like seeing wildflowers, the best time to observe birds is  March through early May, when a variety of migratory species pass through the area.  Mammals found in the woods include meadow and white footed mice, shrews, cottontail rabbits, gray squirrels, opossums, raccoons, and white tail deer.

Identification guides for "Spring Wildflowers," "Trees," and "Mammals" are available from either Parkland college or the Champaign County Forest Preserve District.