The extreme southeast region of Minnesota commonly referred to as the Driftless Area, is home to the Rochester Plateau and Blufflands subsections. This region includes all or parts of Dakota, Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Wabasha, Washington, and Winona counties.
A rolling, high plateau of windblown silt over glacial till in the west and bedrock in the east, the soil depth in this region generally decreases from west to east. Plant communities were historically dominated by oak forests, maple-basswood forests, riparian forests, and tallgrass prairies, with oak savannas in the drier areas. The eastern blufflands were extensively eroded by rivers and streams. Broad ridge tops, steep coulees, and deep valleys were dominated by oak, shagbark hickory-basswood forests on moist slopes, oak-basswood-black walnut forests in the valleys, and prairies on the ridge tops and dry valleys.
Recommended trees and plants
*This species of red oak is most susceptible to oak wilt. Check your area’s current oak wilt risk.
**Due to Dutch elm disease, only plant disease-resistant varieties of American elm.
The following plants native to this region are also found further south. They should be well-equipped to adjust to our climate as it becomes warmer and wetter. These native plants also provide diverse benefits to microfauna, such as pollinators, other insects, birds and bats.
Creating climate refugia
Models of the state’s future climate may not favor the survival of some species you currently see in your woods. However, that doesn’t mean these species don’t hold intrinsic ecological, cultural or economic value. You can work to retain these species in your landscape and protect them from the impacts of climate change by creating forest refugia.
Species in this region that may be most vulnerable to climate change, pests and diseases:
- Balsam fir (Abies balsamea) is projected to be vulnerable to a changing climate in this ecoregion. Balsam fir provides many benefits to wildlife including moose and white-tailed deer, but also increases the fuel load for forest fires. In this region, consider diversifying stands with a large component of balsam fir to mitigate fire risk while maintaining the winter food source and thermal cover provided by balsam fir.
- Black maple (Acer nigrum) closely resembles sugar maple and can be found growing in a variety of sites, but prefers moist soils and some shade. Black cherry (Prunus serotina) can be found growing on similar sites. Consider retaining black maple and black cherry on cool, moist sites and promoting a diversity of other hardwood species.
- Black ash (Fraxinus nigra), white ash (Fraxinus americana) and green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) are projected to do well in warmer and wetter climates but are all extremely vulnerable to emerald ash borer. Black ash is a cultural and ecological keystone species in northern Minnesota and is an essential part of Minnesota’s forests. If ash is present in your woodland, learn more about managing ash woodlands in response to emerald ash borer.
- Paper birch (Betula papyrifera) and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis) are both projected to be vulnerable to climate change in this region. Retain existing paper and yellow birch in diverse stands with a mix of species, age classes, and structures. Paper birch is shade intolerant and therefore prefers full sun, while yellow birch tolerates intermediate levels of shade. Consider thinning, single tree, or group selection harvests to improve the resilience of birch forests. Learn more about managing birch forests.
- Blue beech (American hornbeam, musclewood; Carpinus caroliniana) is projected to be vulnerable to climate change in this region. This species is often found in the understory of hardwood forests and therefore tolerates full shade. Consider thinning from below to open up growing space in the understory for this species.
- Butternut (Juglans cinerea) is projected to tolerate a changing climate, but it is extremely vulnerable to butternut canker, a fungal disease that has devastated populations of butternut across the northeast U.S. butternut is a Minnesota endangered species and therefore cannot be bought commercially. A permit from the Department of Natural Resources is required to collect, transport, or possess butternut seeds and other parts of the tree.
- Bigtooth aspen (Populus grandidentata) and quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) are both projected to be vulnerable to a changing climate in this ecoregion. Both species regenerate by root suckering (sprouting), and these aspen stands provide many benefits to wildlife throughout their life cycle. Harvesting in gaps can also promote a diversity of species, age classes, and structures that will improve the resilience of the stand. Learn more about managing aspen forests.
- Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) is an iconic Northwoods species projected to be vulnerable to climate change in this region. Consider thinning existing pine stands to promote sufficient growing space. Harvesting in gaps can also promote a diversity of species, age classes, and structures that will improve the resilience of the stand. Eastern white pine is preferred by deer, so bud capping or tree tubes can help increase seedling survival. Preventative pruning can also help to protect young white pine trees from white pine blister rust. Learn more about managing white pine forests.
- Swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor) is projected to be vulnerable to climate change in this region. Swamp white oak grows on a variety of soils, but consider planting or retaining this species on moist soils for best survival. Swamp white oak is a species in the white oak group, and is susceptible to oak wilt. Find the current oak wilt risk for your region.
- Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) and rock elm (Ulmus thomasii) are also projected to do well but are susceptible to Dutch elm disease. With no disease-resistant cultivars of slippery elm currently available, landowners should be cautious in choosing where to encourage these species.
- American basswood (Tilia americana) is a critical component of Minnesota’s maple-basswood forests, also known as the Big Woods. This species is projected to be vulnerable to climate change in this region. Basswood prefers well-drained soils and can tolerate intermediate levels of shade. Consider managing existing basswood stands through thinning and/or single tree or group selection harvesting to improve the resilience of the stand. Learn more about managing northern hardwood forests.
- Black willow (Salix nigra) is commonly found in wet areas, including along the margins of ponds and lakes. Black willow provides food and habitat for many species of wildlife, including birds, mammals, and insects. This species is projected to be vulnerable to climate change in this region. Black willow is projected to respond somewhat poorly to a warmer climate, so consider promoting this species on cool, moist sites.
Potential future tree species
As our climate changes, some tree species might be able to move into new areas as habitat becomes more suitable. Climate scientists with the USDA Forest Service have identified tree species with migration potential in the Rochester Plateau and Blufflands.
Planting species not historically found in the region does carry some risk. Before you plant, learn more about assisted migration strategies, and work with a forester or another natural resource professional to determine the best options for your land and goals.
Woodlands of Minnesota Handbook
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has created a series of woodland handbooks that provide landowners with information on their region’s conditions, frequent challenges, and advice on setting and reaching management goals. The Rochester Plateau and Blufflands handbook includes information on wildlife, plants, invasive species, geology, landscape and watershed management for this special region of southeastern Minnesota.
Reviewed in 2025