A series dedicated to educating our geofriends about some of the interesting trees and vines that can be seen along the latest section of the Spring Creek Greenway (SCG) trail. Reading the descriptions and searching for the containers BEFORE you read the hints is strongly encouraged! Please note that SCG trail hours are dawn to dusk, and replace all containers as you found them.
This series is dedicated to educating our geofriends about some of the interesting trees and vines that can be seen along this newest section of the Spring Creek Greenway (SCG) trail. When complete, the Spring Creek Greenway will encompass 12,000 acres and over 40 linear miles, from Highway 59 at the San Jacinto River to Spring Creek Park west of Tomball. This Phase III-C section of the trail is officially open, and construction of Phase V-A of the trail (HOlzwarth Road to Mossy Oaks) is currently underway. The entire Spring Creek Greenway Trail begins at Highway 59/Interstate 69 and extends almost 17 miles to the end of this new section. Please note that SCG trail hours are dawn to dusk, and replace all containers as you found them.
Ironwood (Carpinus caroliniana), also called Musclewood or American Hornbeam, is a medium-sized tree with smooth bark and a fluted or rippled appearance to the trunk. It is native to the eastern half of the U.S. from Texas to Maine, and even into Canada. It has very dense wood, such that arborists will often save any ironwood trees to the last, so they don't dull their equipment when cutting these trees! The dense wood has been used for many items, including tool handles. But it gets its common name of 'hornbeam' because of its use as the 'beam' that farmers would place across their oxen's shoulders (near the horns) to pull their plows and wagons. Very tough stuff!