Mesic Oak-Hickory Forest
The Mesic Oak-Hickory ecosystem is found along the lower, south side of the Wolf Creek floodplain, and because it lies on a slope that faces north, it receives less sunlight and has cooler, moister soil. This deep, moist soil supports the largest trees in the Arboretum, such as Red Oak, Shagbark Hickory, and White Ash, and the presence of Paw Paw and Leatherwood shows some resemblance to the Ozarks. The rich soil also supports an abundance of spring wildflowers. This is the most unique and fragile ecosystem at the Arboretum.
This letterbox hybrid geocache is within the boundaries of the Overland Park Arboretum.
To reach this geocache, you will need to enter the Arboretum through the main entrance gate which is immediately adjacent to the visitor's parking lot.
Click Here to find information about the Arboretum including a link to current hours and fees.
Friends of the Arboretum always have free admission!
**Entirely Optional Bonus Activity**
This is an *entirely optional* bonus activity and its completion is not required to find or claim any of the geocaches within the Arboretum.
For anyone who wishes, stampbooks are available for use while finding the eight GeoArboretum Trail geocaches. If a visitor stamps all eight pages of the stampbook with the letterbox stamps found within the eight GeoArboretum Trail letterbox hybrid geocaches, they can then present their completed stampbook at the Visitor's Center to receive a limited-run wooden Arboretum Coin (while supplies last).
The stampbooks can be found in a mailbox labeled with the Geocaching logo at the front door of the Arboretum Visitor's Center.
The GeoArboretum Trail Geocaches
GeoArboretum Trail #1 - Dry Mesic Prairie
GeoArboretum Trail #2 - Dry Wooded Swales
GeoArboretum Trail #3 - Riparian Woodland
GeoArboretum Trail #4 - Mesic Oak-Hickory Forest <<< This cache
GeoArboretum Trail #5 - Old Field
GeoArboretum Trail #6 - Wooded Draws
GeoArboretum Trail #7 - Dry Oak-Hickory Forest
GeoArboretum Trail #8 - Dry Oak Savanna