Dry-Mesic Prairie - The north entrance to the Arboretum and area surrounding the pond represent a prairie ecosystem showing human disturbances such as grazing and probably cropping on the north edge of the site. Remnants of prairie can be seen, including grasses such as Big Bluestem, Little Bluestem, and Indian Grass.

Dry Oak Savanna - This ecosystem is represented around the picnic tables and east end of the paved trail. In pre-white settlement times, widely spaced oaks were surrounded by prairie, and this ecosystem would have been maintained by fire. With the control of fire, the prairie openings have been invaded by woody species. This ecosystem can be viewed as a transition between the prairie and the forest above the flood plains of Wolf Creek.

Dry Oak-Hickory - This ecosystem lies above the flood plains on the north side of Wolf Creek and on the upland areas south of the creek, where it grades into old field areas to the south. The oak-hickory forest is a typical ecosystem for this area and contains Post Oak, Black Oak and Shagbark Hickory as dominant species, as well as rock out-croppings and rock layers at the surface. This area is showing signs of succession with many pioneer, invading species.

Mesic Oak-Hickory Forest - This ecosystem occurs in a narrow strip along Wolf Creek and is bounded on the north by the Wolf Creek floodplain and on the south by the limestone cliff. The deep, moist soils support the largest trees on the property, including Red Oak, Chinkapin Oak, Shagbark Hickory, White Ash, Black Walnut, Butternut, Hickory, Hackberry, and Bur Oak. The presence of Paw Paw and Leatherwood shows some resemblance to the Ozark region. The rich soil supports an abundance of spring wildflowers. This is probably the most unique and fragile ecosystem on the site. Its deep, rocky draws are visible from the Bluff Trail.

Riparian Woodland - This ever-changing ecosystem is a floodplain with a stream channel, cut banks, small oxbows and low terraces. Flooding is evident and the soils are saturated at various times of the year. Typical tree species include Silver Maple, Black Willow, Honey Locust, Eastern Cottonwoon, Elms, Sycamore, Bur Oak, Burternut Hickory, Green Ash, Hackberry, Black Walnut, Red Mulberry, and Osage Orange.

Wooded Draws - These areas exist to the west of the main pond and around the site where two ponds previously existed south of Wolf Creek. Species include rough Leaf Dogwood, Red Elm, Red Cedar and Buck Brush, as well as some prairie remnants such as Prickly Pear, Pale Purple Coneflower, Milkweed, and various grasses. The areas to the south show less diversity, probably due to cropping and grazing. These areas are limited and can be considered the result of the invasion of woody species into what was grassland or pasture.

Dry Wooded Swales - Similar in appearance to the Wooded Draws but With soil that is drier and more shallow. The areas to the south show fewer signs of development and less diversity.

Old Field - This severely disturbed zone shows no remnant prairie species due to over grazing and cropping. It is in the early stages of old field succession with the invasion of pioneer species. Prior to human use, it probably resembled the Dry-Mesic prairie found on the northern portion of the Arboretum. A 10-year prairie restoration project has begun the process of returning this area to pre-settlement condition.