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LA 6. Hillside Bogs, Red Dirt Game Management Area. Acreage: 40 estimated. 



Location: Natchitoches Parish; Kisatchie Quadrangle; about 25 miles SE of 

 Natchitoches; reached via Rt. 1 17 S of Hagewood to about 3 miles S of Bell- 

 wood, then E about 6 miles on Longleaf Ridge Drive. The bogs are found along 

 the sides of the ravines near the crest of the ridge. 



Description: In deep sandy, hilly areas, unusual concentrations of species are as- 

 sociated with continuous seepage that may involve dozens of tiny springs, creat- 

 ing an elongate, descending area of wetness. Locally, these hillside bands of 

 vegetation are called "bay-galls." Sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) is 

 usually abundant. Poison sumac (Rhus vernix) reaches its southernmost point in 

 the United States in the bay-galls. Smilax laurifolia often clambers over all of the 

 woody plants. Two or three species of Lycopodium and several species of 

 orchids are also present. 



Encroachments: The Red Dirt Game Management Area has been protected 

 from grazing for 40 years. Controlled burning is practiced. There is probably no 

 great problem of encroachment. The uniqueness of the "bay-galls" should be 

 emphasized to the Forest Service. 



Ownership: USFS, Kisatchie National Forest. 



Data source: George H. Ware, The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, 111. 60532. 



Other knowledgeable persons: Mr. Frank Finison, Chief Ranger, Kisatchie Na- 

 tional Forest, Pineville, La. 71360. 



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