48 NEBRASKAland • JUNE 2016
W
hen naming Pine Cone Butte at Chadron State Park,
the inspiration surely came from nearby. While
corn and soybeans may not be best suited for this
challenging soil, ponderosa pines have taken hold in the loose
material at the base of the buttes. Many of the seeds somehow
sprout to life in cracks and crevices of the rock, eventually
wedging the stone making their own contribution to changing
the landscape. Whether at night or day, these rocks and
evergreens are always suitable subjects for postcards and
tourism guides.
