13.5 acres (5.5 ha) of the property are classified as old-growth woodland, and were listed as a United States National Natural Landmark in 1976.

[2] Michigan State University (MSU), the woods' owner, reports that the primary old-growth trees are American beech and sugar maple.

White ash, basswood, wild black cherry, and red oak are also present.

[2] Like many early Euro-American settlers of Michigan, the Bennett family set aside woodlots for personal use when they settled the tract in 1852.

[2] The woods are named after James Toumey, an MSU graduate who was later dean of the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies and helped found the Ecological Society of America.