Dover, Tenn.–Enjoy a brisk hike along the Spur Trail at the Fort Donelson National Cemetery to immerse yourself in the woods along the Cumberland River. There, you’ll see that nature has decorated the scenery for the holidays—lots of evergreens such as American hollies, Christmas ferns, and Magnolias dot the landscape.
Park Superintendent Brian McCutchen said, “In the nineteenth century, it was not uncommon for frontier families to use indigenous plants such as the Christmas fern, white pine, mistletoe, cedar or American holly to brighten up their homes. While the Southern Magnolia was not always present in this colder climate, it has adapted, and you will find small ones throughout the national park.”
This month, Fort Donelson NB Volunteers took time from their busy schedules to prepare evergreen wreaths and swags, plus decorate two trees for the surrender site, the Dover Hotel. Please enjoy this holiday greenery until the end of the month.
Photo: Holly along trails at Fort Donelson. NPS photo.