Summer 2020

The summer season has been quite unusual.  We experienced a late spring freeze damaging the buds of the fruit trees.  Now summer growing season offers the challenge of an extended heatwave. Yet the Ozarks provides a rich green landscape full of life and a variety of new growth.  

The property has a large variety of deciduous hardwood tree species.  The post oak - blackjack oak - black hickory combination is extensive, yet it is common to find American and winged elm as well as black walnut. Post Oak (Quercus stellate) is one of the most common hardwoods in the Ozarks and is found on the steep rocky slopes and ridges.  The historic structures at DHHC were built of oak timbers milled on site.  The American Elm (Ulmus americana), although devastated by Dutch Elm Disease in recent years, is still found throughout the Ozarks.  Often planted to provide shade for early homesteads such as those found here at DHHC, these long-lived trees are native along the creek banks of Democrat Hollow.  Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) occurs widely in the Ozarks.  A favorite of furniture and cabinet makers, the tree is also important for wildlife in the region.