description Cross Timbers Savanna Overview
The Cross Timbers Savanna is an ecoregion consisting of a narrow band of transitional forest and grassland stretching from central Texas through Oklahoma into southern Kansas. It is botanically defined by dense, scrubby stands of post oak and blackjack oak trees, which historically formed a difficult natural barrier that was tough for early overland travelers to navigate. Today, the region is utilized primarily for cattle ranching and exists as a fragmented, fire-dependent ecosystem.
help Cross Timbers Savanna FAQ
Where is the Cross Timbers Savanna located?
The Cross Timbers Savanna is an ecological belt that stretches from southern Kansas through central Oklahoma and into northern Texas. It acts as a transitional zone between the eastern forests and the western Great Plains.
What kind of trees grow in the Cross Timbers Savanna?
This savanna ecosystem is heavily dominated by tough, drought-resistant post oak and blackjack oak trees. The dense, scrubby nature of these woods historically made the region incredibly difficult for early explorers to travel through.
Why was the Cross Timbers Savanna difficult for travelers to cross?
Early American pioneers struggled to navigate the area because the oak trees grew incredibly close together with thick, tangled underbrush. It was famously described by travelers on the Santa Fe Trail as an almost impassable forest.
Is the Cross Timbers Savanna an old ecosystem?
Yes, scientists have found that some of the post oak trees in the Cross Timbers are hundreds of years old. This makes it one of the least disturbed forest ecosystems in the eastern United States.
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