The deciduous forest is one of three major biomes (types of associations of plants and animals) found in Minnesota, It runs in a band from the northwest to the southeastern corner of the state, sandwiched between the coniferous forest biome to the northeast and the prairie to the west and south. This forest once contained many hardwood trees, such as oak, maple, and basswood. Although much of the region has been dramatically changed by farming and development, patches of forest remain. This biome gets its name from deciduous trees, which are trees that drop their leaves each year.

Physical Features

The land once covered by deciduous forest in Minnesota is at or southeast of the line of hills, ridges, and other features created by the edge of the most recent glacier. The unglaciated portion has thick soils. Defining features for this region include cold winters, though not as cold as those in the coniferous forest; sunny, warm summers; and plenty of moisture throughout the year. The deciduous forest has more precipitation than most of the rest of the United States. In general, deciduous trees can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and moisture levels; in Minnesota, the average annual temperature of the deciduous forest ranges from 37 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit and precipitation ranges from 20 to more than 32 inches per year.

Biological Features

The deciduous forest is made up largely of trees that drop their leaves in the autumn. In many areas, maples are common. Along the prairie edge, oaks may predominate. Where rivers run through, water loving deciduous trees such as cottonwoods abound. Animals found in Minnesota's deciduous forests include deer, skunks, opossums, mice, shrews, turkeys, vireos, warblers, garter snakes, gray treefrogs, and mosquitoes.

Location

The location of the deciduous forest is determined by annual temperature and moisture patterns and existence of fire. In Minnesota, the deciduous forest biome runs in a thick band from the northwestern corner of the state, west of Warroad, to the southeastern corner, roughly east of Albert Lea. This forest can be broken down into seven types: lowland hardwood, northern hardwood, oak, paper-birch, aspen-birch, aspen, and maple-basswood. Which grows where depends on history of disturbance, soil traits, and other factors.

Fun Facts

Before European Americans arrived here, the land we now know as Minnesota was home to a 2-million-acre maple-basswood forest. Known to early settlers as the Big Woods, that immense forest has almost completely been replaced by farms and cities.