Lost 40
The Lost Forty (or Lost 40) is 144 acres of old-growth pine forest located in Minnesota that was preserved due to a surveying error during the Public Land Survey in 1882. [1]
History
During the Public Land Survey in 1882, surveyors mistakenly mapped the area as Coddington Lake, which is actually located half of a mile southeast, leading to the area not being logged. [1]
The area was re-surveyed in 1960, with the error corrected. Following this, the area was incorporated into Big Fork State Forest. [1] The Lost Forty is part of the Chippewa National Forest Recreation Region. [2]
Significance
Based on a 2009 study, the oldest individual trees within this area to be 230-240 years old red pines.[1] However, conflicting sources cite these trees to be over 300-400 years old. [2]
In present day, less than 2% of Minnesota's forests contain old-growth trees. [2]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Lost 40 SNA | Explore Minnesota". www.exploreminnesota.com. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
- 1 2 3 "Chippewa National Forest | Lost 40 | Forest Service". www.fs.usda.gov. Retrieved 2026-05-19.