This area is one of the largest remnants of the distinctive "White Swamp Forest" which once covered the uplands of southwestern Ohio. The first 40-acre parcel of the preserve was a gift from Mrs. Myra Culberson in 1978 in honor of her late husband, Dean A. Culberson.

The forest grows on poorly drained, white clay soil which formed on the glacial materials deposited during the Illinoian glacial period.

The swamp forest is dominated by red maple and pin oak with substantial stands of shagbark hickory, shellbark hickory, swamp white oak, American elm and sweetgum. The northern shrub, winterberry, grows here near its southern limit, while the sweetgum, a southern species, is near its northern limit.

Summer wildflowers include purple fringeless orchid and cardinal flower. The state-listed northern fox grape also occurs here. Location:

Located in Clinton County approximately 1 mile southwest of Cowan Lake State Park. From State Rte 350, proceed south 1 mile on SR 730 to the preserve entrance.

Culberson (Dean A.) Woods State Nature Preserve

280 acres - Clinton County

Culberson (Dean A.) Woods
State Nature Preserve