Planting Memorial Trees and Celebration Trees in Arkansas
Planting Trees in the Natural Forests of Arkansas
Planting memorial trees in Ozark–St. Francis National Forests allows individuals to honor loved ones while contributing to a vital reforestation initiative. Each tree represents not only a personal tribute but also a commitment to restoring the natural landscape. Our ongoing work planting memorial and celebration trees is focused on reestablishing shortleaf pine where loblolly pine stands had been planted and harvested. As these trees grow, they provide habitats for Arkansas’s wildlife and bolster the forest’s resilience, ensuring a legacy that will endure for future generations. Every tree planted is a step toward a healthier, more sustainable environment—one that will benefit both the natural ecosystem and the surrounding communities. Plant a tree in memory or celebration today among the natural forests of Arkansas.
Restoring Shortleaf Pines in Arkansas’s Ozark St. Francis National Forest
In the heart of the Ozark Highlands, shortleaf pine once blanketed the landscape standing tall as a defining feature of Arkansas forests. Centuries of timber harvesting, land use changes, and damage have stripped the region of its shortleaf pine-dominant forests. Today, less than 10% of the shortleaf pine’s historic canopy cover remains. That’s why efforts are underway within the Ozark National Forests planting trees to restore this native forest cover.
Spanning more than a million acres in northwestern Arkansas, the Ozark Mountains are actually plateaus, uplifted as a unit, with few folds or faults. Water has shaped this land, creating rugged mountains, canyons and caves through erosion. Tangles of diverse vegetation include upland hardwood of oak-hickory with scattered pines. Brushy undergrowth species such as dogwood, maple, redbud, serviceberry, and witch-hazel can also be found. This forest diversity makes the Ozarks a favorite for visitors in the spring when dogwoods and redbuds bloom. In the fall, these Arkansas forests become a brilliant display of oranges, reds, and yellows.
The past century has been one of change for the lands now embraced within the Ozark National Forest, assembled by land purchases in the early 1900s. Homesteading, farming and timber development greatly altered the composition of the forest and its features. Beavers, which create new forest openings and water sources with their dam building, have been reduced in numbers, limiting their important role in creating varied forest habitats. Road-building and river channelization also played a role in eliminating many forest water sources. This legacy continues to present a challenge for native wildlife and gives rise to current forest restoration needs.
Bearcat Hollow Cooperative Habitat Project
Restoration of the river corridors with more large downed wood debris in the streams, variation in the forest cover to include more small openings, and creation of more freshwater ponds will set the forest on a course toward better ecosystem health and hydrological function. The NFF aims to create healthier wildlife and fish habitat, restore intact ecosystems that benefit natural communities, and enhance outdoor recreation opportunities in a popular recreation area.
How Memorial Trees and Celebration Trees Build Resilience for Arkansas Forests and Wildlife
The future of this region is forestland filled with native, adapted species that are more resilient to drought and other disturbances while providing critical habitat for area wildlife. Shortleaf pines are also being introduced into areas supporting oak stands, creating the natural mixed-species ecosystem. By reestablishing shortleaf pine in areas where loblolly pine once grew, with naturally regenerated oak stands, we are supporting the forest’s long-term health and diversity. The open canopy typical of shortleaf pine forests provides a unique environment where native plants and grasses flourish, creating habitat for wildlife that depends on this ecosystem.
Planting trees like shortleaf pines is important because they are uniquely adapted to Arkansas’s environment. These pine trees can withstand drought, resist disease, and endure the occasional wildfire. As they grow, they help reduce soil erosion, enhance water quality, and create a natural buffer against the elements. This resilience is essential in a region prone to weather extremes, where native trees play a key role in maintaining a balanced and sustainable forest ecosystem for generations.