Geography of Oklahoma Page: 83
vii, 182 p. : ill., maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this book.
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FORESTS AND FOREST INDUSTRIES IN OKLAHOMA
By Claude W. Curran
The natural vegetation of Oklahoma can be divided into 3 large categories-
grasslands, savannah and woodlands, and forests. These divisions are closely
related to the physical elements of topography, elevation, soils and climate
(Fig. 26).
About 22 percent of the total land area of Oklahoma, or about 1o million
acres, is classed as forest land. Approximately 5 million acres is considered
commercial forest and produces products for industry valued at more than
50 million dollars annually. Oklahoma has 144 species of trees.
The state's commercial forest areas are chiefly in the 17 eastern counties
of Oklahoma comprising the Ozark Plateau and the Ouachita Mountains.
Favorable environmental conditions are sufficient for good tree growth
and local topography is too rough for agricultural use other than grazing.
Oak and hickory are the dominant natural vegetation of the Ozark Plateau.
Much land in this region has been cut over and the more level areas have
been cleared for farming. During recent years, however, second growth
has reclaimed a considerable amount of land formerly used for crops. The
Ouachita Mountains are the most densely forested section of Oklahoma.
Most of the region is too rough and rugged for use other than tree farming
and grazing. Pines dominate the higher elevations with oaks at lower
elevations although there is considerable mixing at all levels. Cypress grows
in the swampy areas adjacent to Little River along the south edge of the
mountains. Two oak-hickory areas are to be found on the more level land
just south of the Ouachitas. Loblolly pine grows extensively in the south-
eastern corner of McCurtain County.
FOREST INDUSTRIES
During the 1820s and 183os, when members of the Five Civilized Tribes
were forced to move from their homes in the Southeastern States, the Chero-
kees settled in the Ozark Plateau and adjacent areas and the Choctaws
homesteaded in the Ouachita Mountains and the lands surrounding them.
Soon after arrival the felling of trees started as the most common type of
home was the log cabin. Some logs were hand sawed to produce boards for
the making of frame structures. Even though logs, lumber and forest prod-
ucts were in demand, the harvest and sale of such items were limited to
places near streams that could handle "log floats." It is probable that in the
83
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Geography of Oklahoma (Book)
Historical book discussing the geography of Oklahoma, including the climate, physical environment, minerals composition, and the evolving cities and transportation system; the book also contain maps to illustrate the temperature ranges, population, etc. Index starts on page 175.
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Morris, John W. Geography of Oklahoma, book, 1977; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc862898/m1/93/: accessed May 3, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; .