Tabor Woods and Erlandsson Preserve in Racine

This high-quality woodland with a closed canopy of mature upland hardwoods is owned and managed by Caledonia Conservancy.  A number of endangered plants grow in the woods, including American Beech, Blackhawk Viburnum and Blue-stemmed Goldenrod, as well as Sugar Maple, Basswood, Black Walnut, Shagbark Hickory, Oak, and Butternut. One of the last remaining undisturbed Beech-Maple-Oak woods in Wisconsin, there are trees in portions of Tabor Woods that are over 300 years old, as it was never farmed or harvested for commercial use.

 

The high quality of the woods attracts an abundance of wildlife, particularly birds, including Eastern Bluebird, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Scarlet Tanager, Wood Thrush, Eastern Pewee, Oven Bird, Cooper’s Hawk and Hairy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers.

 

The property includes a wetland in which the following have been identified: robin, chickadee, nuthatch, goldfinch, killdeer, northern flicker, red-tailed hawk and green heron. Painted turtles, leopard frogs and American toads have been observed near the pond.

 

The whole Tabor Woods is blanketed with profuse groupings of wildflowers like bloodroot, spring beauty, white trillium, wild geranium, and wild hyacinth in spring.

 

There are two well-marked trail systems, for pedestrian and equestrian users.

 

Parking is available at 5118 Pine Tree Circle or at 5131 Tabor Road. Both roads can be accessed north off Wisconsin State Hwy 31.

 

Gallery (click to enlarge)