Hubbell Trading Post Cultural Landscape Report

TREATMENT RECOMMENDATIONS (continued)

Issue 2: Vegetation Management

The vegetation that is currently found throughout the Hubbell Trading Post landscape reveals the numerous changes that have occurred in and around this site over the past one hundred and twenty years. There are numerous historic plantings that were introduced to the site by the Hubbell family and are considered to be character-defining features associated with this significant landscape resource and therefore should be preserved through appropriate treatment actions.

Recommendations for vegetation treatment are divided into four specific categories which include general site vegetation, fruit tree management, agricultural field vegetation, and management of exotic invasive plants in the Pueblo Colorado Wash area. Recommended treatments for general site vegetation are identified and discussed by landscape areas A through G while the other vegetation management categories are more specific to a single landscape area. The recommendations are described below.

General Site

Area A (Agricultural Fields and associated Irrigation Ditches): vegetation in this area is discussed under a separate category (agricultural field management) below.

Area B (Residential Compound): This area contains myriad historic plant specimens that require preservation maintenance measures. These plants are identified below and include vines, shrubs, trees, perennials, and ground cover.

Vines: The historic vines that have been identified within Area B include Silver Lace Vine (Polygonum aubertii) and Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia). All identified vines are in a healthy and vigorous condition. Documentation efforts have revealed that the vines presently found on site were intentionally planted by members of the Hubbell family and should be preserved as significant features of the landscape.

Silver Lace Vine (Polygonum aubertii): This vine was planted around the arbor or "summer house" prior to Dorothy Hubbell's arrival to the trading post in 1920.

Recommended Action: The vines should be periodically thinned and cut back to promote vigorous new growth. Severe annual pruning can be done in early spring to remove all excess growth. The roots should not be disturbed during this activity.

Should repairs be required with regard to the arbor structure the vines should be carefully removed (leaving the root structure intact) and protected until the repairs have been completed. Following the repairs, the vines should be hand placed and allowed to re establish on the structure.

Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia): This vine was originally planted along the front porch of the Hubbell residence sometime between 1915 and 1920. Following Dorothy Hubbell's arrival in Ganado cuttings were planted on the arbor (along with the Lace Vine) and on several of the fence lines around the compound. Today's specimens are found on the arbor, on the small fence just east of the residence, and on the fence that encloses the east side of the vegetable garden adjacent to HB-5.

Recommended Action: Because the weight and massing of the vines is stressing the chicken wire support framing along the fences, the vines should be periodically thinned and cut back to remove dead and dying foliage and promote healthy, vigorous new growth. Biannual pruning should be done in early spring to remove all excess growth. The roots should not be disturbed during this activity.

Should repairs be required with regard to the arbor structure and/or the fences the vines should be carefully removed (leaving the root structure intact) and protected until the repairs have been completed. Following the repairs, the vines should be hand placed and allowed to re-establish on the structure.

Shrubs: The historic shrubs that have been identified within Area B include Lilac (Syringa vulgaris), Yellow Rose/Castio Rose (Rosa spp. "Harrison's Yellow" var.), Multiflora Rose (Rosa spp.), and Banana Yucca (Yucca baccata Torr.). These shrubs are presently in a healthy but somewhat overgrown condition. Documentation efforts have revealed that the shrubs identified above were introduced to the site by members of the Hubbell family while in residence on the property and should be preserved as significant landscape features.

Recommended Action: Maintain the existing historic vegetation in a healthy, vigorous condition by accepted fertilizing, watering, pruning and thinning practices.

Lilac (Syringa vulgaris): According to Dorothy Hubbell, "the lilacs were planted very early, but after I was here (ie. after 1920). I can remember their being planted..." "The blue lilac by the little stone house was here when I came." The blue lilac she refers to was beside HB-5 but is no longer existing. The single mass of purple blooming lilacs that survives today is located just north of the Hubbell residence HB-2.

Recommended Action: Because lilacs tend to spread by sucker growth, care should be taken to prevent the lilac bed from spreading beyond its historic boundaries. Maintain the primary stems and remove all sucker growth from the plant bed to ensure healthy viable shrubs.

Cut the flower heads off each year to encourage blossoms the following spring; cut them off as soon as they fade. Prune bushes at this time as well, cutting off all dead stems or old ones that aren't blossoming well. Also remove any diseased and scaly growth and as mentioned above, any sucker growth. A small amount of leaf mold or peat moss may be added to the bed as well.

Castio Rose (Rosa spp. "Harrison's Yellow" var.): The yellow roses were referred to by Dorothy Hubbell as the "castio". She recalled her husband Roman bringing in the yellow rose slips from a friend in the Gallup area. They also had numerous other roses some of which they brought in from Green Castle and others were sent out to them from families who had visited the post. The majority of these were lost to freeze after a hard winter. Roman also brought in some pink wild roses.

Recommended Action: These roses should be thinned and maintained to insure healthy viable plants and to promote the preservation of this significant historic shrub. Maintenance should follow basic procedures for feeding and general rose care.

Yucca (Yucca baccata Torr.): The yucca that border the interior of the stone wall around the Hubbell's front yard were introduced to the site by Roman Hubbell. They continue to thrive and in places seem to be competing for space with the above mentioned roses.

Recommended Action: As is evidenced by their existing condition, these plants require minimal maintenance actions at best. If desired, overall thinning might be undertaken but care should be taken to insure the preservation of these historic plants.

Trees: The historic trees identified within Area B include One Seed Juniper (Juniperus monosperma), Bitter Cherry (Prunus emarginata) and Western Choke Cherry (Prunus virginiana var.), Apricot (Prunus armeniaca), Cottonwood (Populus spp), and American Elm (Ulmus americana) and Siberian Elm (Ulmus pumila).

Documentation efforts have revealed that several of these trees were planted on site by the Hubbell family, however there are also a few trees that were found to have historical precedent on site yet the existing specimens themselves are not historic. These include Apricot (Prunus armeniaca), Cherries (Prunus virginiana and P. emarginata), and Elms (Ulmus pumila and U. americana).

Juniper (Juniperus monosperma): This species of juniper has been present within the Hubbell landscape throughout the site's history. Prior to Hubbell's occupation of the site junipers and pinon were found naturally occurring throughout the landscape. The majority were cleared for agricultural development, fence making, and fuel. These remnant specimens should be retained through sound and deliberate management actions.

Recommended Action: Maintain these historic specimens by periodic and careful removal of dead and dying branching to relieve the trees of unnecessary dead weight. No other actions are required as these are native plants well adapted to the rigors of climatic extremes in the Colorado Plateau environment.

Western Chokecherry and Bitter Cherry (Prunus virginiana and P. emarginata): It has not been established as to when these trees were introduced to the Hubbell landscape but they are part of the historic record and the more mature specimens should be maintained. Additional information may be forthcoming as to when they were planted and by whom.

Recommended Action: As noted above the more mature or historic specimens should be retained through appropriate maintenance and management actions. Because these trees tend to spread by birds, volunteers from fruit droppings, and sucker growth they have a tendency to spread beyond their historic boundaries if left uncontrolled. For this reason it is recommended that the numerous seedlings, suckers, and saplings that have spread throughout the vicinity of the shade ramada and the guest hogan be removed and kept out through an aggressive management policy.

Cottonwood (Populus spp.): These trees were introduced to the landscape by the Hubbell family and with time have become dominant visual elements of the site. Their preservation and when necessary, replacement in-kind is recommended throughout the landscape.

Recommended Action: To avoid additional loss of these character-defining trees it is recommended that they have sensitively performed periodic pruning to remove any dead and dying branches prior to becoming hazardous trees and creating health and safety hazards that will result in their total removal. Occasional watering is also recommended until the rehabilitation of the irrigation system is undertaken.

Siberian Elm (Ulmus pumila): These trees were introduced to the site sometime during the 1940's along with several other exotic invasive tree species. Although historic specimens, they are somewhat undesirable due to their tendency to distribute numerous seedlings and sucker sprouts throughout the surrounding landscape.

Recommended Action: Maintain the large historic specimens and periodically prune to remove dead and dying branches. Actively remove all "volunteer" sucker sprouts, saplings, and seedlings by pulling when conditions allow or consider cutting stumps and using wick application of NPS approved herbicide such as Garlon 3-A (Triclopyr DowElanco). It should be noted that the herbicide must be applied to the cut surface within 2 to 3 minutes of making the cut, using wick application or painting. If the product is not applied quickly the effectiveness of the systemic is lost.

American Elm (Ulmus americana): It is possible that this species of elm was introduced as early as the mid 1930's when site improvements were being made to the school house tract by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) but this has not been confirmed at the present time. Again, these are historic specimens but like the Siberian elm they have a tendency to distribute seedlings and sucker sprouts throughout the landscape.

Recommended Action: Maintain the large historic specimens and periodically prune to remove dead and dying branches. Actively remove all "volunteer" sucker sprouts, saplings, and seedlings by pulling when conditions allow or consider cutting stumps and using wick application of NPS approved herbicide such as Garlon 3-A (Triclopyr-DowElanco). It should be noted that the herbicide must be applied to the cut surface within 2 to 3 minutes of making the cut, using wick application or painting. If the product is not applied quickly the effectiveness of the systemic is lost.

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca): The apricot tree growing within the small interior courtyard of the Hubbell residence is not historic. It was planted by the park in 1991. According to Dorothy Hubbell, sometime after 1920 the first apricot tree came up as a "volunteer" from a tossed seed and the family protected it and allowed it to mature into a productive tree.

Recommended Action: Maintain by watering, pruning, and fertilizing as needed. Replace in kind when condition of tree begins to deteriorate.

Perennials: The historic perennials identified within Area B are limited to a single mass of Iris (Iris germanica). There has been no documentation of the history of this plant.

Iris (Iris germanica): The plants should be periodically thinned to promote blooming and encourage vigorous and healthy plants. Because of the lack of historic documentation regarding the size of this plant bed it is recommended that the existing bed size be retained as is.

Area C (Barn Lot and Corrals): This area contains no historic plant specimens that require preservation maintenance measures. However, it has been noted that vegetational changes are occurring within the area especially with regard to ground cover densities and in an effort to pro-actively address these changes the following management recommendations are provided.

Groundcover: With decreased active use of the barn lot and corral, there has been a dramatic increase in the density of ground cover vegetation, primarily grasses with some forbs. These changes alter the overall character of the landscape and result in increased routine maintenance needs with regard to mowing or blading to keep the vegetation in a more "manicured" condition.

Recommended Action: If possible the best maintenance action for this area would be to allow the park's horse to occasionally graze over the grasses and forbs that are spreading throughout this area. However, this might not be desirable due to the fact that there are numerous outdoor exhibits that might potentially be affected (horse rubbing or scratching on wagons, etc.). Ideally more foot traffic is needed to keep the vegetation trampled and under control but realistically occasional mowing is likely the answer.

Area D (Specialty Gardens): The specialty gardens associated with the Hubbell landscape have been identified to include the three garden plots historically utilized for growing a variety of vegetables and the garden plot historically utilized for flower beds.

Garden Plot — Terrace East of Trading Post: According to interviews with Hubbell's grandchildren, the terrace next to the road in front of the store was "planted all in fruit and vegetable — squash, watermelons, and other melons, corn, etc. After he (grandfather) was gone it was not used for that."

Recommended Action: Although this area was used by J.L. Hubbell for his large vegetable garden plot it also adjoined his irrigated alfalfa fields and was later incorporated into a single 16 acre field while the vegetable garden was relocated to include two areas west of the family residence and south of the bunkhouse. Based on the land use history and existing management concerns, this area will be recommended for rehabilitation focused on re-establishing the alfalfa fields.

Garden Plot — South of Stone Building (HB-5): Interviews with Hubbell family members have revealed that the fenced in enclosure located to the south of HB-5 was at one time one of the primary garden sites for raising an assortment of vegetables for home consumption with any surplus either being shared with friends and neighbors or sold through the trading post. This was also immediately adjacent or east of Friday's corn patch. "The main vegetable garden was back where the trailer now is (behind HB-5), behind the little stone building. We raised spinach, kale, cabbage, green beans, tomatoes and other things. We put up fruits and relish, jelly and jam, but didn't usually preserve vegetables."

Recommended Action: This garden area is recommended for rehabilitation as it has been documented as the primary garden area for growing vegetables and it boundaries are clearly defined by an existing post and wire. Even the small garden gate is still intact and in good condition. Over the years, numerous plum seedlings, saplings, and sucker sprouts have encroached upon the garden plot and will require aggressive removal prior to turning the soil for cultivation.

Garden Plot — West of Residence (HB-2): Interviews with Hubbell family members revealed that "to the west of the flower garden we had melons and then toward the fence we had sweet potatoes and peanuts. We planted peanuts only one year. We had some Indian corn here..."

Recommended Action: This area is recommended for rehabilitation as a terraced garden to be used for growing specialty crops as it was historically. The historic terraces have been severely disturbed over the past several years as a result of plowing with no recognition of the importance of the terraces for irrigation purposes.

The terraces should be re-established, the irrigation channel and head gates should be re established according to the historic documentation and the crops should be watered using a standard terrace-flooding method. This action will enhance the visitors appreciation and understanding of the agricultural history of the site.

Garden Plot/Flower Garden — North of Residence (HB-2): Beginning in the early 1920's the Hubbell family began to introduce flowers and other ornamental plantings to this area. LaCharles Eckel, Hubbell's granddaughter noted, "there was...some of the first flowers, there was a high wire fence and it was attached to the south wall (of the Leonard buildings) and came out and sweetpeas and things like that (were grown)." About this same time the "summer house" or shade ramada was added to the front yard.

Following the demolition of the Leonard building complex in 1923, the family set about enclosing the yard area with the existing stone wall, laying in numerous flower beds, and adding the circular stone planter. Over the years this area has been used for growing a variety of flowers as well as vegetables, including corn. Presently, only a single bed of lilacs remain along with the plants found in the circular planter, along the sides of the shade ramada, and in narrow beds following the interior perimeter of the stone wall.

Recommended Action: Due to the sensitive nature of the subsurface archeological resources associated with the original Leonard trading post and their potential to provide valuable information regarding the site's early development and history, no horticultural activities are recommended for this area with the exception of maintaining the existing historic vegetation presently in the area. Watering of any historic vegetation in this area should be kept to absolute minimum. The grassy terraced berm that runs along the front perimeter of the residence HB-2 should be retained, however the grass cover should be limited to this berm and not allowed to extend into the former flower garden. Watering in this area should be discontinued due to the severe impacts on the subsurface archeological resources associated with the Leonard Trading Post and the impacts to the existing historic ramada/gazebo structure.

Area E (School House Tract): This area contains several historic plant specimens that are currently posing some management challenges for the park. The historic plants that have been identified within this landscape area include both trees and shrubs.

Trees: The historic trees identified within this area include both Siberian and American elms (Ulmus pumila and U. americana), silver-leaved poplar (Populus alba), and the cottonwood (Populus spp).

Siberian Elm (Ulmus pumila): These trees were introduced to the site sometime during the 1940's along with several other exotic invasive tree species. Although historic specimens, they are somewhat undesirable due to their tendency to distribute numerous seedlings and sucker sprouts throughout the surrounding landscape.

Recommended Action: Maintain the large historic specimens and periodically prune to remove dead and dying branches. Actively remove all "volunteer" sucker sprouts, saplings, and seedlings by pulling when conditions allow or consider cutting stumps and using wick application of NPS approved herbicide such as Garlon 3-A (Triclopyr DowElanco).

American Elm (Ulmus americana): It is possible that this species of elm was introduced as early as the mid 1930's when site improvements were being made to the school house tract by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) but this has not been confirmed at the present time. Again, these are historic specimens but like the Siberian elm they have a tendency to distribute seedlings and sucker sprouts throughout the landscape.

Recommended Action: Maintain the large historic specimens and periodically prune to remove dead and dying branches. Actively remove all "volunteer" sucker sprouts, saplings, and seedlings by pulling when conditions allow or consider cutting stumps and using wick application of NPS approved herbicide such as Garlon 3-A (Triclopyr DowElanco). It should be noted that the herbicide must be applied to the cut surface within 2 to 3 minutes of making the cut, using wick application or painting. If the product is not applied quickly the effectiveness of the systemic is lost.

White Poplar (Populus alba): It has not been established when this tree was introduced to the site but its massive size reflects many years of growth. The tree is in early stages of declining health but will likely see many more years before becoming a heath and safety hazard.

Recommended Action: This tree is obviously historic and is a dominant visual element within the school house/chapter house tract with its showy white trunk, smooth bark, and silvery leaves. It is also considered by some an extremely invasive, exotic pest tree that sheds its brittle branches and sends numerous seedlings, saplings and sucker sprouts to spread into the surrounding landscape. This tree will potentially be a management concern should the agricultural fields be rehabilitated and water re-introduced to the adjacent fields. It is an opportunist and will readily invade the newly plowed and cultivated fields.

For this reason, it is recommended that the historic tree be allowed to fulfill its normal life span with periodic pruning to remove any dead or dying branches but once it is determined to be a potential health and safety threat to either visitors or the adjacent historic resources it should be removed and replaced with a more desirable, less invasive species.

The numerous saplings, seedlings, and sucker sprouts that have spread over the site in the past several years should be aggressively eradicated by pulling when applicable, or cutting and using wick application of an NPS approved herbicide such as Garlon 3-A.

Cottonwood (Populus spp.): These trees were introduced to the landscape by the Hubbell family and with time have become dominant visual elements of the site. Their preservation and when necessary, replacement in-kind is recommended throughout the landscape.

Recommended Action: To avoid additional loss of these character-defining trees it is recommended that they have sensitively performed periodic pruning to remove any dead and dying branches prior to becoming hazardous trees and creating health and safety hazards that will result in their total removal. Occasional watering is also recommended until the rehabilitation of the irrigation system is undertaken.

Shrubs: The only historic shrubs identified within this area are the currants that line the southern boundary of the school house/chapter house tract. Little information has been located with regard as to when they were introduced and by whom.

Golden Currant (Ribes aureum): While little historical information has been obtained regarding the year these shrubs were planted it is known that the plants are used for producing a dye that is used by weavers. It is possible that the shrubs were planted on this site to provide the area weavers with a readily available dye source, although this has not been confirmed.

Recommended Action: Maintain the existing historic vegetation in a healthy, vigorous condition by accepted fertilizing, watering, pruning and thinning practices.

Area F (Hubbell Hill): This area is outside of the park land ownership boundaries but because of its overall significance and integral associations with the Hubbell landscape it is addressed throughout this report. The vegetation associated with Hubbell Hill is typical of the naturally occurring native vegetation found on steep slopes and hillsides throughout the Navajo Reservation lands. Numerous members of the Hubbell family are buried on the knoll of this hill. Although a few grave markers have been placed on the hill and the family would occasionally place cut flowers around the graves they abided by Roman's wish as he told Dorothy, "don't make this look like a grave yard. Just let it look like a hill and let the native vegetation come back in."

Recommended Action: No Action.

Area G (Reservoir, Main Irrigation Canal, and Ganado Dam): As with Area F, this is outside of park's land ownership boundaries. Because these features do not have direct associations with any vegetation management issues no recommended actions are provided.

Recommended Action: No Action.

Fruit and Nut Tree Management

Area A (Agricultural Fields and associated Irrigation Ditches): With the exception of the one apricot tree located in the interior courtyard of the Hubbell residence and a couple of small plum trees in the vicinity of the residential compound, the remainder of the historic fruit and nut trees associated with the Hubbell landscape are located within Area A.

Currently there are several surviving historic fruit and nut trees within the Hubbell landscape. These trees are all in a state of decline as they have not received appropriate maintenance and management actions in several years. It should be noted that these trees are susceptible to a host of pests and diseases and will therefore require active maintenance if they are to be preserved. Some of the more common pests include the codling moth, the cankerworm, grasshoppers, aphids, scale, curculios, Japanese beetles, and borers. Following National Park Service procedure, an integrated pest management (IPM) approach should be implemented to insure the use of approved biological controls versus non-approved chemical solutions.

Fruit Trees: As early as 1903, J.L. Hubbell submitted an order for hundreds of apple trees to be planted on his Ganado, Arizona homestead known as Hubbell Trading Post. In addition to the apple trees Hubbell also planted mulberries and apricots. Due to the arid climate that is so characteristic of the Ganado area, the trees were located along the irrigation ditches constructed to water the agricultural fields and spaced approximately 20 feet on center.

Apple (Malus sylvestris): Although Peterson has identified several different types of apples that Hubbell ordered for planting on his homestead, the particular varieties that are currently surviving within the landscape have not been officially identified and documented.

Recommended action: There are several historic apple trees that are presently clinging to life and would have been forever lost had it not been for the recent actions of the park staff to begin watering these remnant specimens. A routine watering program is needed if these trees are to survive until the proposed rehabilitation project is able to restore water to the irrigation laterals along which these trees are planted.

It is recommended that an arborist or horticulturalist specializing in historic fruit and nut trees conduct an on-site visit to examine the trees and determine if they are viable for grafting or some other form of propagation to insure survival of the historic species and variety. It is obvious that some of the trees have simply sprouted from their trunks and as many historic apple trees were grafted onto a more durable but less desirable root stock, it is possible that the resulting historic tree would be an "imposter" of sorts and not worth the effort of propagating. Replacement with a new tree of a variety known to have been grown by Hubbell might prove to be more desirable should this be the case.

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca): There are several historic apricot trees located along the eastern edge of the second agricultural field west of the park housing area. These trees are in very poor condition and will likely not be strong enough to survive another summer season without immediate care. Former park employee David Brugge noted many years ago that these trees were in dire need of maintenance if they were to have any hope of surviving. At the very least we know where they were historically planted.

Recommended Action: As with the few surviving historic apple trees, a routine watering program is needed if these trees are to survive until the proposed rehabilitation project is able to restore water to the irrigation laterals along which these trees are planted.

It is recommended that an arborist or horticulturalist specializing in historic fruit and nut trees conduct an on-site visit to examine the trees and determine if they are viable for grafting or some other form of propagation to insure survival of the historic species and variety. Again, as with the apples it is obvious that some of the trees have simply sprouted from their trunks. It is assumed that apricots like apples were often grafted onto a more durable but less desirable root stock. Therefore, it is possible that the resulting historic tree would be an "imposter" of sorts and not worth the effort of propagating. Replacement with a new tree of a variety known to have been grown by Hubbell might prove to be more desirable should this be the case.

Peach (Prunus Persia): A single peach tree specimen was noted along the eastern edge of the second field immediately west of the park housing area. This tree was in very serious decline during the summer of 1994 when field documentation was conducted and has likely not survived. Its location has been noted and it is included on the existing conditions base map.

Recommended Action: The poor condition of this tree negates the feasibility of trying to propagate this specimen. Heavy pruning of dead wood and a routine watering regime might prolong its existence but even that is doubtful at this point. Future replacement with a new tree of the same species is the most desirable action should a rehabilitation treatment be undertaken by the park.

Mulberry (Morus nigra): As with the other fruit and nut bearing trees found along the perimeters of the agricultural fields and along the irrigation laterals, the single mulberry tree is historic to the Hubbell landscape and should be preserved if feasible. Previous vegetation surveys have identified this tree as a white mulberry (Morus alba) but judging from the leaves the earlier identification is incorrect and the tree is likely a black mulberry. The fruit of the black mulberry was much more desirable than that of either the white or red mulberry as it was found to be both larger and juicier.

Recommended Action: Maintain this historic specimen by routine watering, pruning for removal of dead and dying branches, and fertilizing as needed. Consider replacement in kind when condition of tree begins to deteriorate.

Arizona Black Walnut (Juglans arizonica): There are five historic walnut trees that are located within the agricultural field west of the park housing area. Previous vegetation surveys have identified these trees as Butternut (Juglans cinerea) or Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) but the small size of the nut and the leaf shape are not consistent with either and seem to correlate with the Arizona black walnut. A sixth tree was identified but is no longer living. Dorothy Hubbell noted that the walnut trees had been planted by the family prior to her arrival in Ganado in 1920. The trees still produce walnuts and should be preserved.

Recommended Action: Maintain these historic specimens by routine watering, pruning for removal of dead and dying branches, and fertilizing as needed. Consider either propagation from existing stock or plan for replacement in-kind when trees are no longer viable or pose a heath and safety hazard.

Other Field Trees

In addition to the numerous historic fruit and nut trees that are found within Area A (agricultural fields and irrigation ditches), there are several rows of historic cottonwood trees and a single row of elm trees. These trees have been documented as having been planted by the Hubbell family during the historic landscape's period of significance and as such should be preserved.

Cottonwood (Populus spp.): These trees were introduced to the landscape by the Hubbell family and with time have become dominant visual elements of the site. Their preservation and when necessary, replacement in-kind is recommended throughout the landscape.

Recommended Action: To avoid additional loss of these character-defining trees it is recommended that they have sensitively performed periodic pruning to remove any dead and dying branches prior to becoming hazardous trees and creating health and safety hazards that will result in their total removal. Occasional watering is also recommended until the rehabilitation of the irrigation system is undertaken.

Along the upper terrace of the wash, west of the residential/trading post complex there is a row of 8 very large cottonwood trees whose condition ranges from fair to poor. They are in need of cyclic maintenance to remove any dead and dying branches. They also should be scheduled for gradual replacement using the same species as these trees are all nearing their natural life expectancy.

Another line of cottonwoods is found along the arroyo just west of the housing and maintenance areas. Again these trees are in a state of natural decline as they reach their average life expectancy (70 to 80 years). Removal of dead and dying branches will help to prolong their existence however plans should be made to gradually replace them with new trees of the same species.

One lone cottonwood in poor condition marks the north south line of this agricultural field and it 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. The one surviving tree needs immediate care to continue its struggle to survive.

Agricultural Field Management

As early as 1902 J.L. Hubbell began clearing lands for agricultural operations at the site of his trading post. Initially Hubbell attempted to irrigate his farm lands by establishing a small reservoir or dam along the Pueblo Colorado Wash and utilizing a lifting ram type hydraulic pump to carry the water to his irrigation channels. This soon proved unsuccessful and he established a larger dam north of Ganado and constructed a larger irrigation canal that extended over 2.5 miles to his property and provided adequate water for his approximately 110 acres of cultivated land.

Although Hubbell started his fields by planting oats and rye, his primary field crop was alfalfa. According to interviews with Dorothy Hubbell, "the first year we had to start a new bed we would plant oats and sometimes rye. We did the same if we plowed up a field to reseed it. We did not raise any wheat."

The fields have been abandoned since the late 1950's. The last time water ran through the irrigation ditches was noted in the mid 1960s by John Cook, first Superintendent of the newly established historic site. The fields have slowly been revegetated with a combination of native and exotic plant species and have at various times been heavily populated by communities of prairie dogs.

At the present time no vegetation management actions are conducted by the park with regard to any of these fields and they continue to revert to desert scrubland. One of the treatment and development alternatives identified and described in the following sections of this report is for the rehabilitation of this agricultural landscape and its irrigation system. It is the recommendation of this author that only if the rehabilitation of the agricultural fields is undertaken should there be any attempted management actions with regard to the vegetation in the now abandoned fields. If rehabilitation of the fields is not to be undertaken, the fields should be left to naturally succeed and vegetation monitoring should be conducted to document the successional process.

If it is decided to pursue the rehabilitation alternative the fields will require extensive clearing of all existing vegetation (and prairie dogs) to allow for the re-establishment of the historic checks or terraces and the planting of desired crops. The recommended management actions for this alternative are provided for in detail in the following section on development alternatives.

Exotic Invasive Species in Pueblo Colorado Wash

Following their introduction in the 1940's there has been a dramatic increase in both Russian olive (Eleagnus angustifolia) and salt cedar (Tamarisk chinensis) throughout the Pueblo Colorado Wash. However, it has been just over the past several years that the spread of these exotic invasive species has reached almost unmanageable proportions and seriously begun to affect both the visual quality of the historic site as well as the native plant populations. Photographs dating from the mid 1960's show the wash as still fairly open with large clumps or masses of vegetation scattered along its edges. Today the wash is an almost impenetrable mass of exotic species with few if any open views across in either direction.

In an effort to regain some of the visual quality of the historic site and allow native plant materials the opportunity to regain a foothold within the vicinity of the wash it is recommended that an active vegetation management program be implemented within the park boundaries for the reduction of exotic invasives such as the Russian olive (Eleagnus angustifolia) and the salt cedar (Tamarisk chinensis).

The smaller diameter trees can likely be eradicated using an efficient product known as the "weed wrench" or by cutting the larger stumps at or near ground level and treating with an approved herbicide.

In the upper wash areas away from active water flow the cut stump treatment is recommended using the product Garlon 3-A (Triclopyr-DowElanco). It should be noted that the herbicide must be applied to the cut surface within 2 to 3 minutes of making the cut, using wick application or painting. If the product is not applied quickly the effectiveness of the systemic is lost.

For the plants that are to be removed from areas within close proximity to the water flow another product is recommended. Again using cut stump treatment, the product Rodeo (Monsanto) should be applied using either wick application or painting of the stump. As with the Garlon, the product must be applied within minutes of making the cut to assure effectiveness.

The recommended reduction and removal of exotic invasive species should be coordinated with the NPS Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Coordinator for the Intermountain Region. This project might be undertaken using volunteers or day labor crews under the supervision of an experienced natural resource manager to insure proper plant identification, desired density reduction, and safety measures are followed.