“Cross Timbers,” an unusual name isn’t it? This name describes a strip of land that stretches from southeastern Kansas through Central Oklahoma to Central Texas. The Cross Timbers Hokora is an important part of this unique ecoregion.
The Cross Timbers marks a transition. It lies between the forested eastern country and the almost treeless Great Plains. This area also marks the western habitat limit for many mammals and insects.
Imagine early American explorers struggling through this land. Washington Irving described it in 1835 as “like struggling through forests of cast iron.” The thick growth formed an almost impenetrable barrier.
Rachel Plummer, a Comanche captive in 1836, described a timber-land range. It stretched from Arkansas waters in a southwest direction. It crossed several rivers. She noted the diverse trees like oak, ash, elm, hickory, walnut, and mulberry. She also mentioned the purest air she ever breathed was in these regions.
Josiah Gregg described the Cross Timbers in 1845. He said it varied in width from five to thirty miles. He attributed its denseness to the frequent burning of the prairies. This constant burning kept the timber small and dense.
The Cross Timbers consists of prairie, savanna, and woodland. Post oak and blackjack oak thrive on coarse, sandy soils. Fire suppression has increased forest density. Eastern redcedar has also invaded the area.
These short, stout oaks were not suitable for timber. The forests that remain undisturbed are some of the oldest in the eastern United States. They contain old-growth trees that are hundreds of years old.
Geologically, the Cross Timbers has sandstone and limestone from the Pennsylvanian and Cretaceous periods. This gives the region a gently rolling topography.
The Cross Timbers Hokora finds itself in a historically rich and ecologically diverse area. It is a place where the prairies meet the forests. This is a zone of transition. It is a reminder of the challenges faced by early travelers and the unique beauty of the land. The Cross Timbers Hokora stands as a point of reverence within this remarkable landscape. It connects us to the history and the natural world around us.