First Tree On The Texas Plains

At least that is what the historical marker on US 60 just east of Panhandle states. That claim makes me squinch my eyebrows together and tug at my mustache a little.

I think the claim should be “The first documented tree planted by a European in the Texas Plains”.

From the little history I have gathered up about the area I grew up in, I figure there have been native peoples who practiced agriculture in the region perhaps as far back as the flint trade at the Alibates Flint Quarry as far back as 13,000 years ago. More definite proof of early agriculture has been found at the Buried City archeological site in Ochiltree County. Who is to say that these nature-wise folks never planted a tree near the house for the missis?

There had to be native trees in the creek and river canyons that grew from seeds washed down from New Mexico. With the way the wind blows around here, cottonwood tree seeds are likely to wind up in Oklahoma and Kansas easily.

Now the spanish explorer Coronado is said to have named Palo Duro Canyon after the trees that he found there. “Palo duro” is spanish for hard wood and the reference is more than likely to the junipers which grow in the canyon. Many folks think he was referring to the mesquite found there today but that plant didn’t come along until much later than the 1,500′s when Coronado came tromping through the area. Can’t imagine Coronado getting involved in forestry because he was too busy looking for gold to take back to Spain.

Early Europeans who came to settle the area have written about the black bear, mountain lion and even beaver that made for good hunting round these parts. Now you can’t convince me that these animals are going to make their home where there are no trees. Especially beaver!

So I think to be historically correct, the historical markers need to be changed to prevent instilling false information in the unsuspecting over actual known facts.

If you want to read what the markers say for yourself then follow this link and click on the picture to make it bigger. First Panhandle Tree 2006 08/29

Good grief! Just to think our tax dollars went to support a falsehood like this and even Texas Governor John Connally came out personal to give his blessing over it!