Dogwoods like moist areas, cool in the spring, with slightly acidic soils. Dallas County, up on the Austin Chalk Escarpment, is hot and dry with alkaline soils.
Consequently, the discovery of a stand of dogwoods stunned and excited Dallas naturalists and gardeners. The Audubon Society found a number of other unique features in the plants and animals around the dogwoods, and bought up surrounding land to create a special preserve. That is now the Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center, in Cedar Hill, about a ten-minute drive from Molina High School.
It was billed as a “hike” that might take 2.5 hours, but David Hurt, the grand benefactor of Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center, was the guide — at the two hour mark we had just ambled to the blossoming trees in their still-semi-secret location. Amble, not a hike.
Great day to be outside.
The voyage is at least half the fun.
Guided hikes — the only way to get to see the blossoms — are planned for Wednesday and Saturday this week. Hikes are limited to 20 people, with two planned for Wednesday, and one for Saturday, March 31. For reservations call Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center at (469) 526-1980.
More, Resources:
- The $7 million dogwood blossom [now $8 million]
- Oaks and Prairies, a Bureau of Land Management description of our local land, soils, climate, flora and fauna
This post was adapted with express permission from Millard Fillmore’s Bathtub.
I love the outdoors
By: julio rocha on March 31, 2012
at 2:57 pm
This is cool, yet very rare!
By: Eunice Arcos on April 11, 2012
at 12:35 am
I would like to visit…it looks so peaceful but I’m afraid to touch the poison ivy.
By: Emilio Marquez 1st Period on April 11, 2012
at 11:06 pm
Stick to the trail, learn to identify poison ivy, wash well when you get home. It’s well worth the minor risk.
By: Ed Darrell on April 11, 2012
at 11:55 pm
That’s ridiculous, i would get all itchy just knowing theres bugs and grass around me…would love to go! I haven’t learned to identify poison ivy. It will probably be too late when I do. O.O
By: Lily Estrada 1pd on April 13, 2012
at 10:50 am
This is very Intresting!
I didn’t know we had this around us.
i would love to go check this out sometime soon.
By: Jaricza Juarez on April 17, 2012
at 3:08 pm