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Guidebook
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What's there to do at Great Sand Dunes? Images from Great Sand Dunes & surrounding area Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) News updated 5/28/07 Calendar updated 12/5/06
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Images from GREAT SAND DUNES National Park & Preserve and the surrounding area "Culturally Peeled Trees"
The Ute people surely could have given us a lesson on the expression, "Waste not, want not." One of the most fascinating signs that remain of their lives and culture from the late 1700s through the early 1900s are the partially peeled Ponderosa Pines in the Park. About 100 old pines along Medano Creek at the east edge of the dunes near Indian Grove have been "culturally peeled" by Native American peoples. As you walk among the peeled trees in a lovely meadow under the majestic beauty of Mt. Herard, you can almost sense the presence of the Indian people who were here hundreds of years ago. Native Americans were careful not to kill the trees when they used a sharp piece of wood to peel chunks of bark from the ponderosas. The bark was used to make trays, baskets and cradleboards, and was also useful as a building material. Resin and pitch were used as adhesives and for waterproofing. Inner bark and sap had medicinal properties, and provided a source of food. The inner bark is highly nutritious, containing significant amounts of calcium and vitamin C, and, according to Ute Elders who visited the area recently, was probably considered to be a delicacy. After pounding the inner bark, it was boiled, baked, or smoked to prepare it for consumption. The inner bark could also be used to thicken soup or stew, or to make tea.
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All photos and text on this site copyright 2002-2007 Winger & Associates, Inc. No photos or text may be reproduced, copied or distributed without written permission.
Last updated: 07/16/2007 |
