On Belle Point trees are numerous, both replants and older, and give the appearance of an open parkland. A narrow strip of forested land which has reverted to a "quasi-natural" condition borders the Arkansas River below Belle Point. Overstory trees include cottonwood, sugarberry, and black locust. Prominent understory trees are represented by black locust, red mulberry, sycamore, redbud, black willow, and black cherry. A few cottonwood trees are truly massive in size, their trunks being several feet in diameter. It is possible that some of the cottonwood trees may actually date to the historic period at Fort Smith.
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Last updated: April 10, 2015