Figure 7. Dense woodlands in the Western Cross Timbers region. The woodlands are interspersed with grassy clearings (photo from north of Decatur in Wise County).
Site 1. Western Cross Timbers.
Oak woodlands cover the Western Cross Timbers region.
Figure 7. Dense woodlands in the Western Cross Timbers region. The woodlands are
interspersed with grassy clearings (photo from north of Decatur in Wise County).
The Paluxy Sandstone bedrock produces sandy loam soils (mixture of sand, silt and clay). Iron and aluminum oxides give the soils a rusty color.
Figure 8. Soil profile in the Western Cross Timbers. Red-brown sandy loam soil
overlies white-tan sandstone bedrock.
These soils and the sandstone bedrock are relatively easily eroded by surface water run-off. This has resulted in severe gullying in some areas.
Figure 8. The Paluxy Sandstone crumbles and erodes easily.
Figure 9. Large gullies in northern Wise County.
Like large parts of the country, the native vegetation has been modified by clearing, agriculture and the introduction of non-native species. However, typical native vegetation still found in this region includes post oaks, greenbrier and bluestem grasses.
Figure 10. Post oaks.
Figure 11. Greenbrier - a woody shrub.
Figure 12. Little Bluestem.
Figure 13. Big Bluestem.