This week’s hike was about 5 miles (round trip) of the Gallaher Bend Greenway near the Oak Ridge National Laboratory property. The trail begins on the southern side of Clark Center Park (formerly Carbide Park) and runs through woods and fields near the Clinch River that eventually fills the Melton Hill Dam Reservoir.My hiking partner (Ron) and I found this huge old
hackberry tree in one of the fields in the area. An old ERDA (Energy Research and Development Administration – 1974) sign (formerly the AEC – Atomic Energy Commission – 1946) marks, explains, and protects this particular tree. The AEC/ERDA functions were transferred to the Department of Energy (DOE) in 1977. I write all this to give some sense of the age of the sign!The common hackberry tree has been included in windbreak plantings by farmers to control wind erosion. Additionally, its deep root system makes common hackberry useful for preventing soil erosion on disturbed sites.
Native Americans valued common hackberry for medicinal, food, and ceremonial purposes. Medicinally, the bark was decocted to serve as a gynecological aid that could induce abortion, regulate menstrual cycles, and treat venereal diseases. Bark decoctions were also taken for sore throats.
Historically, southern church pews were made of hackberry wood.
Again, I am blessed to live in an area full of hiking trails that run straight through history.
