Plant and Tree Life
The Ouachita Mountains were at one time a westward extension of the Appalachians. Therefore the plants of the Ouachita National Forest are similar to the eastern deciduous forest. Both geographically and climatically, the area may be considered a meeting ground of several biomes or plant formations. These include plants which can be found in the Northwest U.S., the Southwest U.S., the Gulf Coastal Plain and the Gulf Costal Highlands, and the Prairie.
The Ouachita Mountains are different from most mountain ranges. The ridge line runs predominantly east to west rather than north to south. The east to west directional trend gives rise to distinct north slope and south slope plant and animal communities. South slopes are occupied by shortleaf pines in almost pure stands or in mixed pine-hardwood forests. Common hardwood trees occupying the southern exposures are post oak, blackjack oak, black oak, southern red oak (at lower elevations), black hickory, and winged elm, with an understory of serviceberry, wild plum and fringe tree.
Trees near the mountain crests are dwarfed and gnarled due to the constant pressure from prevailing south winds and the effect of winter icing from frequent freezing fogs, mist and rain.
Dominant trees on the north slopes include white oak, northern red oak, mockernut hickory, bitternut, black walnut, black locust, basswood, sugar maple, red maple, and at lower levels, beech. Understory trees include dogwood, pawpaw, Carolina silverbell, American bladdernut, umbrella magnolia, Ohio buckeye, redbud and wild hydrangea. The north slopes, in particular, are an extremely rich habitat for spring wildflowers.
On the north slopes the soil is extremely rich, dark, and moist. Rich Mountain derived its name from the unusually rich soil. One story says that the mountain was at one time the roosting place of vast numbers of passenger pigeons; their droppings contributing to the fertility of the soil.
With the variety of flora throughout the area there is always something at its peak or uniquely beautiful at any given time of the year. Whether it is the budding out of trees and flowers after a hard winter or the vibrant colors of the fall, the natural beauty of the area never disappoints no matter what time of year you visit.
For a native plant list for Arkansas and Oklahoma please visit Plant Native.