Designation in hands of Indian nation leaders

As he examined, measured and climbed Holliday's most famous, oddly-shaped tree Tuesday afternoon, veteran arborist Steve Houser grew more and more fascinated by it. Its physical grandeur, unique abnormalities and sideways growth features rival the best forest props in any Tim Burton flick.

Houser is a founding member of the Dallas Historic Tree Coalition (DHTC), and researches trees he believes provide strong evidence to be Indian markers.

"The more I see it, the more I feel like it's a marker tree," a helmet-strapped Houser said as he used a rope and pulley contraption to scale the tree and count ring circles from cut dead limbs.

Various Native American tribes took years to bend marker trees, which were typically used to notify and point to low water crossings, campsites, rock paint quarries, hunting trails, graves, freshwater streams and prayer sites, among many other things.

Research on area Indian occupation, tree age and documentation of bend-styles is just some of the necessary information needed to be presented to an Indian tribe — the only source that can officially proclaim it as their marker tree. Once that happens, it instantly becomes a living historical monument.

The Holliday tree — located at Stonewall Jackson Camp No. 249 about 85 yards south of the United Confederate Veterans Monument, near a stream behind the baseball field — is in the beginning stages of that process, with Houser's new measurements kicking off the monthslong proclamation process.

The Times Record News published an article about the tree March 21, and since then Houser said the DHTC has received numerous emails from tree-owners and sightseeing patrons believing they know of trees that fit the description.

Tuesday, Houser went on what he called a "scouting trip" to examine some of these new discoveries in North Texas, stopping by to measure and photograph potential marker trees in Bowie, Lake Kiowa, New Castle and Holliday.

"The one in Bowie is just unbelievable," he said. "It's a mulberry tree that is bent at almost a right angle, starting at five feet above the ground. It then bends again at a V-shape, and wraps around and lands on top itself and it has three different root systems. I don't know if it's a marker tree, but I'll be real interested to find out."

He also plans to examine several more cases in places like Weatherford, Tyler and Gordonville.

"I document all I can from the arborist perspective and present my findings, along with information from anthropologists and other experts, to the tribal elders," he said. "Then it's in their hands and they make the ultimate decision to proclaim it or not.

The Exciting Atmosphere Of A Real Baseball Field

Okay so what constitutes a great baseball park? I would believe that it would be the trend of modern culture and technology, combined with the the particular ambiance of early twentieth century baseball grounds. One should search no further than Oriole Park at Camden Yards, that established in 1992, and it is home of the Baltimore Orioles. This ground is exclusive in that it combines right into the town center culture of Baltimore, while still very similar in design to several traditional baseball arenas of the early Twentieth century. For instance, Oriole Park at Camden Yards gets the modern day experience of arenas using its sunroof across the higher deck, arched brick faade, and steel trusses. However to keep along with such great early Twentieth Century stadiums as Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, and Yankee Arena, Oriole Park uses organic grass turf and an asymmetrical field. Coors Field, opened in 1995, and also home of the Colorado Rockies is also distinctive in blending modern day and conventional baseball parks. This had been created with hand-made stone and is asymmetrical. Should snow hit the field, an underground warming system melts the snowfall. Five inches of water can be cleared per hour from the all natural turf. Ball park at Arlington, established in 1994, and home of the Texas Rangers, furthermore uses a combination of state-of-the-art architecture featuring its brick and granite faade, asymmetrical playing field, and even a home-run porch in right field. The field also is all-natural grass with the outfield measurements asymmetrical. Fans within the lower seating feel as if they're part of the play, because the distance of the supporters to the game is one of closest of all baseball parks. Location and view is crucial for baseball parks. Dodgers stadium, home of the Los Angeles Dodgers, provides an awe-inspiring view of the downtown area Los Angeles to the south, foothills to the north as well as east, as well as the San Gabriel Mountain tops too. Also, seats at Safeco Stadium, home of the Seattle Mariners, delivers enthusiasts with a spectacular look at downtown Seattle.

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