Ashe Juniper

Dry dolomite forest dominated by Ashe juniper located in the White River Section of the Ozark Natural Division. Ashe Juniper, a fairly rare tree in Missouri, is more common in the Edward's Plateau of west central Texas, and also occurs in northern Arkansas and Oklahoma. In Missouri, Ashe juniper only occurs on dolomite glades and knobs and along the White River and its tributaries in the southwest part of the state. Ashe juniper is distinguished from its close relative, the eastern red cedar, by its multiple branched trunk.

The natural area is situated on the top and slopes of a knob with Jefferson City dolomite at or near the ground surface.