Fall 2000

Tranquil oak and hickory forest is a gem among nature preserves

Will County, Illinois

This tranquil, oak-hickory forest of nearly 900 acres is a gem among nature preserves. Rustic, gravel trails encircle an expansive interior full of myriad wildlife. The absence of bicycles, pets, and large groups of visitors make Thorn Creek's 2.5 miles of trail ideal for hikers, bird watchers, photographers, and naturalists. Autumn colors ranging from bronzy purples to vibrant oranges to rosy reds illustrate the rich variety of growth in the woodlands.

The terrain of the preserve rises from the creek valley to the upland forest of oak and shagbark hickory, with winding ravines that drain spring rains into Thorn Creek. Steep ravines create lookouts over the sugar maple, elm, and black walnut trees rooted in the floodplain. A shallow pan-like depression in the upland forest has allowed a wide array of vegetation to grow in marshy areas. Among the 330 different plant species at Thorn Creek are a variety of shrubs including sumac, maple-leafed viburnum, witch hazel, nannyberry, and blue beech. False indigo, milkweed, and wild bergamot are among the long list of species of the forest floor.

As the serene trails of Thorn Creek ascend into the woodlands, the plush undergrowth of herbaceous plants thins abruptly, revealing the boundaries of last year's unexpected wildfire. (This year a major project will be repairing the boardwalk damaged by that fire.) Visitors can observe a new generation of tree growth sprouting up from the ashes.

Hawthorn trees, for which the site was named, line the forefront of the woods. Also found at Thorn Creek are white ash, basswood and swamp white oak. Wood thrushes, which are sparse in the Chicago region, are interspersed throughout this area. An offshoot of the woodland trail offers a dramatic change in scenery, as red and white oaks give way to jack, Austrian, and white pine trees that guide the trail out to Owl Lake, at the far east end of the preserve. Here live spotted and blue-spotted salamanders, central newts, green, bull leopard, chorus and tree frogs, and American toads.

American goldfinch, chickadee, the white-breasted nuthatch, and the tufted titmouse are just a few of the many birds seen and heard throughout Thorn Creek. Great horned and screech owls, as well as turkey vultures, Cooper’s hawks, and red-tailed hawks also nest in the woods. A small heron rookery is found there.

Several small prairies adorn the outskirts of the preserve. The Thorn Creek Nature Center, housed in a 120-year old church, is equipped with a bird-watching window, a children’s area, and many educational displays. Naturalists lead regular night hikes during the fall and Woodsfest, an annual celebration, takes place on Oct. 29 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. For further information and a list of programs, call the nature center at (708)747-6320, open 12:00-4:00 p.m., Thursday-Saturday. The preserve is open year round from 8:00 a.m. until dark. — Cassandra Profita