On this date (July 6) in 1819, the botanist Thomas Nuttall left the garrison constructed two years earlier at the confluence of the Poteau River with the Arkansas (Fort Smith) and proceeded upstream toward the Three Forks area (confluences of the Verdigris and Grand rivers with the Arkansas).
They proceeded only about 10 miles the first day. On the second, Nuttall noted: “The depression of the forest…begins to be obvious (pg. 185).” A few days later, he expanded on this observation: “The variety of trees which commonly form the American forest, here begin very sensibly to diminish. We now scarcely see any other than the smooth-barked cottonwood, the elm, box-elder (Acer Negundo), curled maple (Acer dasycarpon) [=silver maple, Acer saccharinum], and ash, all of them reduced in stature. From hence the forest begins to disappear before the pervading plain” (pg. 189).
This latter instance is the third time Nuttall notes this transition from eastern forests to western plains. He first noted it on April 23rd as he neared Fort Smith, approaching from the east (downstream): “From hence also the prairies or grassy plains begin to be prevalent, and the trees to decrease in number and magnitude” (pg. 155).
Read more about this ecotone (transition zone) here.
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