{{Short description|Natural area in Pennsylvania}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox protected area | name = Hemlocks Natural Area | alt_name = | iucn_category = | image = | image_alt = | image_caption = | image_size = | map = USA Pennsylvania | map_alt = | map_caption = Location within Pennsylvania | map_width = | location = [[Perry County, Pennsylvania|Perry County]], [[Pennsylvania]] | nearest_town = [[Doylesburg, Pennsylvania|Doylesburg]] | coordinates = {{coord|40.2382|N|77.6415|W|region:US-PA|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref = | area = {{convert|120|acre}} | established = 1921 | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | governing_body = | url = }}
'''Hemlocks Natural Area''' is a {{convert|120|acre|ha|adj=on}} [[protected area]] in [[Perry County, Pennsylvania|Perry County]], [[Pennsylvania]], United States. It is part of [[Tuscarora State Forest]].<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Tuscarora State Forest Wild and Natural Areas |url=https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-forests/find-a-forest/tuscarora/wild-and-natural-areas |access-date=2026-05-23 |website=Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Fergus">{{Cite book |last=Fergus |first=Charles |title=Natural Pennsylvania: Exploring the State Forest Natural Areas |publisher=Stackpole Books |year=2002 |location=Mechanicsburg, PA |pages=53–55}}</ref> The area has been designated as a [[National Natural Landmark]].<ref name=":0" />
== Description == The Natural Area was established to protect a parcel of [[Old-growth forest|old-growth]] [[Tsuga canadensis|hemlock]] trees nestled in a narrow gorge formed by Patterson Run.<ref name=":8" /> The area was originally established as a Pennsylvania Forest Monument in 1921,<ref name="Fergus" /> and in 1973 it was named a [[National Natural Landmark]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Schneck |first=Marcus |date=2022-10-25 |title=Hemlocks more than 225 years old are part of latest Pennsylvania old-growth forest |url=https://www.pennlive.com/life/2022/10/hemlocks-more-than-225-years-old-are-part-of-latest-pennsylvania-old-growth-forest.html |access-date=2026-05-26 |website=pennlive |language=en}}</ref> The old-growth forest parcel has also been recognized nationally,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walzak |first=Josh |date=2022-10-28 |title=DCNR Celebrates Induction of Hemlocks Natural Area into the Old-Growth Forest Network |url=https://www.thecourierexpress.com/the_leader_vindicator/news/state/dcnr-celebrates-induction-of-hemlocks-natural-area-into-the-old-growth-forest-network/article_14426500-56ea-11ed-8872-0b08dca1243f.html |access-date=2026-05-26 |website=The Courier Express |language=en}}</ref> and was added to the [[Old-Growth Forest Network]] in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Crable |first=Ad |date=2022-10-31 |title=Maryland, Pennsylvania add tracts to Old-Growth Forest Network |url=https://www.bayjournal.com/news/growth_conservation/maryland-pennsylvania-add-tracts-to-old-growth-forest-network/article_73f04c18-5642-11ed-a4c3-575fb3a95b0a.html |access-date=2026-05-26 |website=Bay Journal |language=en}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
{{Protected Areas of Pennsylvania}}
[[Category:Protected areas of Perry County, Pennsylvania]]