Hubbell Trading Post Cultural Landscape Report

VEGETATION

Existing vegetation patterns within the old field areas, along the Pueblo Colorado Wash and its secondary drainages, and throughout the various building and development complexes reflect the historic land use activities that occurred throughout the developmental history of the Hubbell Trading Post landscape. These patterns were documented during field investigations and are described below.

Through disuse the agricultural fields are gradually infilling with both native and exotic invasive vegetation including rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus), snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae), four-wing salt bush (Atriplex canescens), shade scale (Atriplex confertifolia), Russian thistle or tumbleweed (Salsola iberica), tumble mustard (Sisymbrium altissimum), ragweed (Ambrosia sp.), Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila), alfalfa (Medicago sativa), cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium), and field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis). Along many of the irrigation system's lateral ditch lines there remain remnants of the fruit and shade trees planted by the Hubbell family and the field hands working for them. The lateral ditch (lateral A) that runs just west of the housing area has a few of the aging cottonwoods (Populus sp.) remaining although the majority of them were recently removed by the park after being determined health and safety hazards. The remnant stumps reveal the historic spacing and layout for the planted trees along this lateral. Cottonwoods also define the northern edge of the Hubbells easternmost agricultural field. The remnants of this row of large cottonwoods are located along the south side of the park's entrance road. The majority of these trees were determined to be diseased and dying and were subsequently removed by the NPS in the early 1990's. The park has recently transplanted numerous saplings from the large silver-leaved poplar (Populus alba) that is on the site of the visitor center building however the extremely invasive trees make them a highly undesirable choice.

The ditch identified as lateral B runs in a north south direction and lies just west of the arroyo near the housing area. This ditch line was also planted with a combination of cottonwoods and fruit trees. A few large aged cottonwoods (Populus sp.) survive along with a couple of apricot (Prunus sp.) and peach (Prunus sp.) trees that are in very poor condition. The northern boundary of this field has a row of 10 elm (Ulmus pumila) trees and two surviving historic walnut (Juglans arizonica) trees. The southern boundary of the field is delineated by a ditch line and the earthen berm of the irrigation reservoir. Several cultivated fruit and nut trees remain along this southern ditch line and they include two apple (Malus sylvestris) trees, five junipers (Juniperus monosperma), and a single black mulberry (Morus negra) although historically there were many more.

Immediately west of the dirt wagon lane and south of the Hubbell barn is another lateral irrigation ditch which has been identified for documentation purposes as lateral C. There are several large cottonwoods in various states of decline located along this lateral. Several of the large trees have died as a result of age and limited water while one of the largest of these cottonwoods has been killed by lightning. There are also a few "volunteer" elms (Ulmus pumila) and a couple of historic apple (Malus sylvestris) trees continue to survive as a result of recent watering by the park maintenance staff. A cross ditch intersects with lateral C and runs in a westerly direction immediately adjacent from the northern edge of the earthen reservoir. Just west of the intersection of these two ditches are two surviving historic apple (Malus sylvestris) trees that park maintenance is actively watering to preserve.

One lone cottonwood in poor condition marks the northern most section of lateral C and is located immediately west of the residential and trading post complex. Based on the presence of down and dead cottonwood trees along this same orientation it may be surmised that the line was once defined by the presence of these trees.

Of particular research interest with regard to historic vegetation patterns is lateral D in that numerous dead historic apple trees were noted and documented at a regular spacing of approximately 20 feet on center. The historic trees were identified by the skeletal remains of their dried trunks, roots, and branching patterns. The remnants of approximately 12 trees were documented along this lateral ditch line although historically there were many more. In contrast to the planted apple trees along lateral D are the elm trees found along the next lateral to the west - lateral E. While some of the elms appear to have been intentionally planted along the irrigation ditch numerous others have "volunteered" either through sucker sprouts or seed distribution.

Dividing the Hubbell agricultural fields there is an old wagon lane that runs south from the trading post complex to the gravel road just off the park boundary. There is a dense growth of rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus), snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae), four-wing salt bush (Atriplex canescens), shade scale (Atriplex confertifolia), Russian thistle or tumbleweed (Salsola iberica), tumble mustard (Sisymbrium altissimum), and ragweed (Ambrosia sp.) along either side of this lane continuing up to the fenced edges of the fields. Photographs reveal that historically this area was relatively clear of shrubby vegetative growth, most likely as a result of both trampling (vehicular, pedestrian, and livestock) and intensive grazing. While it is not representative of the historic scene, the dense shrubby growth now provides habitat for numerous wildlife species including desert cottontail, prairie dog, and various types of birds.

The most dramatic change that has occurred with regard to vegetation patterns within the Hubbell landscape occurs in the area of the natural drainages and the Pueblo Colorado Wash. As mentioned in the preceding discussion above, several cottonwoods were historically planted along the irrigation ditches that bordered the northern edge of the easternmost field and along the eastern side of the arroyo immediately west of the existing park staff housing area. A similar row of eight very large historic cottonwoods were noted running east west along the upper terrace of Pueblo Colorado Wash immediately west of the Hubbell residence and trading post complex. The condition of these historic trees ranges from fair to poor.

Comparative analysis of historic photographs with existing conditions reveal that from the top of the natural terraces down into the main drainages and the Pueblo Colorado Wash there has been a substantial increase in vegetation density (figures 48 and 49). While some of the changes are a result of natural succession with native plant species following the removal of grazing activities the majority represent the invasive actions of exotic plant species introduced through a variety of Federal programs during the second quarter of the 20th century.

The vegetation found within the arroyo west of the park housing area includes primarily native plant species including two varieties of willow (Salix sp. and Salix sp.) and several native herbaceous species such as willow smartweed (Polygonum lapathifolium), sedge (Scirpus americanus), mallow (Sphaeralcea sp.), and horsetail (Equisetum arvense). This is in contrast to the numerous exotic invasive species that have established in and along the Pueblo Colorado Wash. The main wash is densely vegetated with visually dominant exotic plant species including Russian olive (Eleagnus angustifolia), saltcedar (Tamarix chinensis), along with a variety of both native and exotic shrub and herbaceous species. The Russian olive and salt cedar are now fairly typical throughout the Southwest following their introduction during the 1930's and 1940's for erosion control efforts.

The existing vegetation found within the developed areas associated with the trading post is varied and contains numerous relict historic plant species that were introduced to the site either by the Hubbell family or during the time of their operation and management of the landscape. The area surrounding the historic school house/chapter house complex is bordered along its southern and western boundaries by a row of 12 elm (Ulmus pumila), however 5 of the elms were recently removed at ground level following a hazardous tree assessment conducted by the park. Several of the stumps have sprouted vigorous young saplings that exceed 15' in height after only a couple of years growth. Planted as an understory to the alignment of elm trees along the southern boundary there are 6 historic golden currant (Ribes aureum) shrubs in good condition.

A few feet west of the southwestern corner of the historic school house building there is a very large silver-leaved poplar (Populus alba). This tree is in fair condition with several large dead or dying branches. Throughout the school house "yard" area there are numerous seedlings, saplings, and sucker plants from both of the exotic invasive trees historically planted within this area. It should be noted that seedlings and saplings from this single specimen of the silver-leaved poplar and the siberian elms are found spreading into other areas of the Hubbell landscape.

In addition to the trees and their numerous sprouts and seedlings there is a variety of herbaceous plant material comprising the ground layer. These plants include field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), rayless goldenrod (Chrysothamnus nauseosus var. graveolens), hairy goldenaster (Heterotheca villosa), prickly pear (Opuntia macrocentra), mallow (Sphaeralcea sp.), and white aster (Leucelene ericoides). Many of these plants are also found across the parking lot scattered throughout the northern end of the enclosed yard in front of the Hubbell residence. It should be noted that these plants are characteristic of the mix of natives and exotics that are found throughout the Southwest.

Figure 48. Pre-1913 Hubbell landscape showing sparse vegetative cover along Pueblo Colorado Wash. (HUTR 4398).

Figure 49. Hubbell landscape showing invasive vegetation along Pueblo Colorado Wash, 1993.

There is a substantial area of the yard that is covered by lawn although according to both oral histories and historic photographs the lawn area was limited to a single bermed strip just north of the walk that runs along the front of the house. Immediately north of the earthen berm is a large bed of historic lilac (Syringa vulgaris) shrubs. Around the interior of the stone wall that encloses the yard to the east and north there are dense plantings of broad leaved yucca (Yucca baccata) and Fendler rose (Rosa woodsii var. fendleri). These same historic plants are also found in a circular stone planter located in the center of the yard east of the shade ramada structure. Surrounding the ramada are several historic plums (Prunus gracilis and Prunus reverchonii) and historic silver lace vine (Polygonum aubertii) and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquifolia) densely covers the structure. Adjacent to the ramada and just south of the guest hogan there is another small mass of plum trees (Prunus gracilis and Prunus reverchonii) that continue to spread along the edge of the old garden area.

Along the front walk of the Hubbell residence an historic log trough is used as a flower planter and nasturtiums and other colorful annual flowers are cultivated by park staff members. Just south of this planter is a low board and chicken wire fence (recently rehabilitated by park staff) and growing along it is the Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) vine. Lying west of the Hubbell residence and south of the guest hogan is a terraced garden plot that is annually cultivated by park staff and although the crops grown tend to vary from year to year they usually include corn, tomatoes, and squash. In the area of the southeast corner of this garden plot, in the vicinity of the bread oven there is a large mass of iris (Iris germanica). Their origin has not been established although an early NPS employee working at the park noted that they were well established in the late 1960's. [128]

There are several narrow planting beds along the east and north walls of the manager's residence and they contain a variety of both native and exotic annual and perennial flowers planted and maintained by park staff. West of the manager's residence is the chicken house/utility building which has two somewhat picturesque historic juniper trees along its southwest side. Their condition is fair however they do contain some dead and dying branches.

The surrounding barn lot to the south is covered and maintained in low grasses although historically it was simply bare, compacted soils. Other vegetation found in the immediate vicinity includes prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola), filaree (Erodium cicutarium), common mallow (Malva neglecta), common dandelion (Taraxacum officiinale), pigweed (Amaranthus wrightii), puncture vine (Tribulus terrestris), and clovers (Meliotus alba and M. officinalis). The vegetation around the stone bunkhouse includes a medium sized cottonwood (Populus sp.) on the northeast corner which is in good condition although there are numerous cottonwood saplings and root sprouts surrounding its trunk. On the southeast corner of this building is a multi-trunked plum (Prunus gracilis) also in good condition. Immediately south of this structure is an enclosed garden area that is being infilled by a variety of weeds and numerous wild plum (Prunus gracilis and Prunus reverchonii) saplings and seedlings. Several of these trees are also found along the post and wire fence on the east side of the garden plot. There is also a dense covering of Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) and grape (Vitis sp.) along the fence.

Vegetation found within the vicinity of the park housing area is reflective of the new development that has been occurring there. A row of Russian olive (Eleagnus angustifolia) has been planted by the NPS along the eastern boundary fence line adjacent to the service road that leads into the maintenance yard. A variety of plant materials have been introduced to the site in the vicinity of the trailer park and include numerous ornamental and exotic species such as crab apple (Malus soulardii) and lilac (Syringa vulgaris). The newly developed housing area includes small lawn areas adjacent to each residence as well as some ornamental vegetation such as serviceberry (Amelanchier sp.), New Mexican privet (Foresteria neomexicana), Jackman potentilla (Potentilla fruticosa jackmanii) and wild rose (Rosa woodsii).