Hutcheson Memorial Forest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hutcheson Memorial Forest |
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 Hutcheson Memorial Forest
Location in Somerset County, New Jersey
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| Location | Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey |
| Nearest city | East Millstone |
| Area | 500 acres (200 ha) |
| Established | 1955 |
| Designated: | 1976 |
The William L. Hutcheson Memorial Forest is a special natural area in Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey. It covers about 500 acres (202 hectares). This forest is famous for its amazing old growth forest section, which means the trees have never been cut down. In December 1976, this forest was named a National Natural Landmark, recognizing its importance.
History of the Forest's Preservation
The part of the forest with very old trees, once called Mettler's Woods, was bought from the local Lenape people by Dutch settlers in 1701. This special area is about 65 acres (26 hectares). The same families owned these old trees until the mid-1950s. People say that no trees were ever cut down here, and the ground was never farmed. This means the forest has grown naturally for a very long time.
The tallest trees in this forest are mostly White Oak, Eastern Black Oak, and Northern Red Oak. You can also find American Beech, White Ash, Shagbark Hickory, and Pignut Hickory trees here. The oak trees in the forest are usually around 235 years old. Some trees that have recently died were found to be as old as 350 years!
In 1955, the owner, Thomas Mettler, thought about selling the land. But a group called the Citizen's Scientific and Historical Committee for the Preservation of Mettler's Woods stepped in. They raised money from many places, including a big donation from the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. This money helped them buy the forest.
After being bought, the forest was given to Rutgers University and The Nature Conservancy to take care of. It was named after the union's leader at the time, William L. Hutcheson. The local government in Franklin Township and the New Jersey Green Acres Program also work with Rutgers and The Nature Conservancy. Together, they help protect this important natural place.
Visiting the Forest
You can visit the Hutcheson Memorial Forest from dawn until dusk, but you need to make an appointment first.
There are also public tours given about every third Sunday of the month at 2 PM. These tours are led by volunteers who are professors from Rutgers University. The tours can last from one to two hours. If your group has fewer than ten people, the tours are free!
