The trees bloom a cluster of white flowers in May which fill the air with a sweet fragrance. This is seen around the main parking area outside the Visitor Center, and in a few places along the park road. The chokecherry is a shrub-like tree that often grows in thickets. About the size of a pea, they grow in clusters and turn black by August when they are ready to eat! A few weeks later small green berries begin to grow. While this does protect the campground itself, the impacts to the ecology have become more noticeable with time. These trees rely on periodic flooding for germination and long-term health after Keyhole Dam was built in 1952, major flooding of the Belle Fourche River no longer occurs. Unfortunately, due to outside river management started in the 1950s, the cottonwoods in the park are slowly dying without new ones growing to replace them. The views of the river valley along Red Beds Trail are quite breathtaking thanks to the many cottonwoods which follow the meanders of the waterway. The spade-shaped leaf turns a beautiful golden color by late summer. Cotton-like strands waft through the air and are known for clinging to almost any surface they contact. Mature trees have deeply furrowed bark and can have a trunk diameter of nearly six feet! With a normal lifespan of 100 years, they can live two to four times longer under good conditions.Ĭottonwoods are named for their seed dispersal, which occurs in early summer. These deciduous trees are found along rivers and wetlands throughout the great plains region. In contrast to the pine forested slopes of the park, one can walk beneath ancient cottonwood trees in the park campground. The park's campground is shaded by large cottonwood trees. Occassional fires help keep the forest canopy open and recycle the debris on the forest floor.Įnjoy the ponderosa forest at Devils Tower by walking the Tower Trail. This adaptation, along with the thick bark and the tree's sap, make it fire tolerant. While you can catch the scent strolling through the forest, it is best to stick your nose right into the bark and breathe deeply! As ponderosas mature, their lower branches fall off. They have a sweet smell that reminds people of vanilla or butterscotch. These conifers are identified by thick, flaky bark which can be a brown to orange-red color. Outside of Devils Tower National Monument, huge areas of the Black Hills are managed by the US Forest Service to conserve the resources and recreational opportunities we derive from these forests.
Commercially, these trees are used for many types of lumber and wood products. Ponderosa forests provide habitat for many species, including red squirrels, porcupines, bobcats, nuthatches, woodpeckers, bullsnakes and more. Like many conifers, they keep their green needles all year long from a distance, however, these dark pines appear almost black, giving rise to the name "Black Hills" (an English translation of the Lakota name "Paha Sapa"). They can grow to over 100 feet tall and live more than 300 years. The ponderosa pine is found from Mexico to Canada. Ponderosas stand like ancient sentinels above them all. These pine forests are dotted with juniper, aspen, and bur oak trees. Although several types of trees are found here, the dominant species is ponderosa pine. Much of Devils Tower National Monument is forested. They survive scorching summers and freezing winters.
Ponderosas like these have been growing since before Devils Tower was declared the first national monument in 1906.
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