Anderson Woods represented a pre-settlement woodland habitat, with shortleaf pines trees dating to over 300 years old.  Due to the rarity of pre-settlement forest in the Piedmont, researchers have been studying Anderson Woods since the 1930s.

During the early history of Duke University, Dr. Clarence Korstian set up the first research transect in Anderson Woods, quantifying and monitoring the vegetation. This research legacy has continued with the work of Norm Christensen, who began his own research in Anderson Woods in 1984. Today, researchers continue to sample Anderson Woods to understand the biotic change of this unique stand.