1. Cedar elm (Ulmus crassifolia) has a tall straight truck. Leaves are small with "teeth" around the edges. Used sometimes for fence poles.
2. Here we see two examples of Yucca. In front is the Spanish Dagger (Yucca torreyi). Note the thorn at the end of each leaf. To the left is the Twisted-leaf yucca (Yucca rupicola). The leaves are twisted into a spiral, giving this Yucca its name. Both bloom in the spring, and have a long flower stalk with clusters of white flowers at the top. They are pollinated by the Yucca Moth and the roots are sometimes used as a substitute for soap.
3. Mexican or Mountain Cedar (Juniperus ashei). Although called a cedar, this tree is a juniper with no relation to the true cedar. The bark peels off in long shred-like strips that birds and animals line their nests with. The male tree has golden-re pollen and the female has small blue berries. Wood is excellent for fence poles and firewood.
4. This rock has a hole under it that has been used as an animal den. Armadillos and Opossums favor this type of cover.
5. To the left of the trail is a stand of Post Oak (Quercus stellata). Typical to poor sites, these trees have a straight truck and a cross shaped, deeply lobed leaf. Wood is used for railroad ties, fence posts, furniture, and finish trim.
6. This tall tree is a Live Oak (Quercus virginiana). The leaves stay green year round and it is known for huge trunks and wide spreading branches. Wood is very hard and was used for shipbuilding until steel took its place.
7. "Shade out" - This small stand of Durand Oak (Quercus durandii) is being shaded out by the surrounding juniper (also called cedar). Unable to compete for sunshine against the cedar, the oak will eventually die off.
8. This is another stand of Durnad Oak. Notice the difference in size between the ones in the sunshine (foreground) and the shaded ones (far ground). Durand Oak is a small scrub oak with crooked limbs and scaly bark.
9. This small bush is Texas Holly or Agarita (Berberis trifoliolata). The ripe berries can be used to make wine, preserves, and pies. The yellow wood and roots can be used for dyes.
10. The trunk just in front of the sign is an old live oak stump. Notice the knotty burls. These burls are a dense wood that produce hot, smokeless fires. The trunk is home to many insects. To the left is an example of root propagation (large and small trees). Although the parent tree is destroyed, the Live Oak will often renew itself by growing new trees from the roots of the old parent tree. The oak just to the left of the stump is a good example of this.
*The sign for the visitor center marks the short-cut. At the sign bear left for the 3-minute loop.
11. To the left of the trail, about 10 steps, is a long slender cactus called the Tasajilo, Tat-tail, or Pencil Cactus (Opuntia leptocaulis).
12. Here is a stand of Texas Persimmons (Diospyros texana). The black fruit is edible and when ripe can be used for hair dye.
13. To the right is an example of Live Oak. When these trees die, the large hollow trunks provide protected homes for the raccoon, ring-tail, opossum and birds.
14. The bush growing out of the rock, which has long pointed leaves, is a Mexican Buckeye (Ungnadia speciosa). This tree is in the Soapberry family and has pink flowers that appear in the spring. Its three seeded fruit is poisonous.
15. This Cedar Elm has many types of lichen growth on its branches. The lichen are usually a sign of damage, not the cause of it.
*On the main trail turn left.
16. About 5 yards off the trail, to the right, is a Rainbow Cactus (Echinocereus pectinatus). A small barrel cactus whose thorns lie close to the body, blooms in spring with bright pink to purple flowers.
17. Under the Juniper (cedar) tree in front, growing out of the rock, is a Claret Cup Cactus (Echinocereus triglochidiatus). The thorns are sharp and stick out from the body. Blooms from spring until fall and forms a bright scarlet flower.
18. In front is the well known and disliked Mesquite (Prosopis sp.) The mesquite is a thorny pest that is hark to kill because of the deep tap root (up to 40-50 ft. deep). As much as the tree is disliked in the western 2/3 of Texas, it has many uses. The wood is used for heating, barbecues, and fence posts. The bean-like seed pods provide food for cattle, and the flower provides pollen for bees.
*The Nature Trail continues to the right at the road, and ends at the Visitors Center.
19. These two trees are good example of Live Oak. Note the many burls which are actually scar tissue from damage to the trunk.
20. The small tree in front, with round leaves, is called Wafer Ash, Skunkbush, or Hop Tree (Ptlea trifoliata). The seeds were once used as a substitute for hops in brewing beer. The brushes behind it are Texas Persimmons. Notice the topography to the left. This is typical of "Karst" terrain- areas of large, broken limestone and caves.
21. In front we have an example of Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia
lindheimeri). The cactus can be used for cattle feed after
the thorns have been burned off. The flower is large and
brightly colored, producing an edible fruit that turns purple
when ripe. Be careful of the tiny hhooked thorn on the fruit.
(Thus the name, prickly pear).