Kerr Arboretum and Botanical Area
Encyclopedia
The Robert S. Kerr Memorial Arboretum, Nature Center and Botanical Area (8,026 acres) is an arboretum
and nature preserve in the Ouachita National Forest
, near Talihina, Oklahoma
, containing plant communities significant in their occurrence, variety, and location. It is bordered by U.S. 270-59 and Forest Road 6007 on the north and the Talimena Scenic Byway (east of U.S. 259) to the west and south.
The arboretum features dwarf white oak
s, yellow buckeye, Ouachita indigo, and grass seeps. It is open for hiking
, equestrianism
, sightseeing, photography, nature study, bird watching, and hunting
(area within the Nature Center's boundary excluded). Facilities include three short interpretive trails, flush toilets, drinking water fountain, the Pine Valley Trailhead, State Line Monument, and Castle Rock vista. No developed recreation facilities are found here, and there are few, if any, signs. Mountain bike
s, hang gliders, and motorized vehicles are not permitted.
Arboretum
An arboretum in a narrow sense is a collection of trees only. Related collections include a fruticetum , and a viticetum, a collection of vines. More commonly, today, an arboretum is a botanical garden containing living collections of woody plants intended at least partly for scientific study...
and nature preserve in the Ouachita National Forest
Ouachita National Forest
The Ouachita National Forest is a National Forest that lies in the western portion of Arkansas and portions of eastern Oklahoma.-History:The Ouachita National Forest is the oldest National Forest in the southern United States. The Forest encompasses , including most of the scenic Ouachita Mountains...
, near Talihina, Oklahoma
Talihina, Oklahoma
Talihina is a town in Le Flore County, Oklahoma, United States, its name originating from two Choctaw words, tully and hena, meaning iron road. Iron road is reference to the railroad that the town was built around. It is part of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, containing plant communities significant in their occurrence, variety, and location. It is bordered by U.S. 270-59 and Forest Road 6007 on the north and the Talimena Scenic Byway (east of U.S. 259) to the west and south.
The arboretum features dwarf white oak
Oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
s, yellow buckeye, Ouachita indigo, and grass seeps. It is open for hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, equestrianism
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
, sightseeing, photography, nature study, bird watching, and hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
(area within the Nature Center's boundary excluded). Facilities include three short interpretive trails, flush toilets, drinking water fountain, the Pine Valley Trailhead, State Line Monument, and Castle Rock vista. No developed recreation facilities are found here, and there are few, if any, signs. Mountain bike
Mountain bike
A mountain bike or mountain bicycle is a bicycle created for off-road cycling. This activity includes traversing of rocks and washouts, and steep declines,...
s, hang gliders, and motorized vehicles are not permitted.