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“ That ’ s how the Bois d ’ Arc got its name , from French traders , meaning ‘ wood of the bow ’. Originally , the Osage people guarded the distribution of the seed . The First Nations didn ’ t want anyone else growing it .”
— John Baecht
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I
am following John Baecht , artist and native of this area , down a double track path through the alluvial soil of the Red River Valley . Our quest is a grove of ancient trees-300 year old Bois d ’ Arcs- 54 of them in all . “ Not to take away from Big Max ,” Baecht says respectfully , almost reverently , referring to the Commerce , Texas record-holder ( 2nd largest Bois d ’ Arc in the state ), then breaks into hyperbole with the zealous claim- “ But this is a whole grove of Big Maxes !”
Before you read any further , I warn you , this story comes with a caveat . Can I tell it without prejudice ? Not a chance . My love affair with Bois d ’ Arc began long ago when Dr . Fred A . Tarpley , East Texas State University ’ s esteemed Professor Emeritus of Literature and Languages co-founded the Bois d ’ Arc Bash in Commerce in 1986 . Besides the food , booths , rides , and a parade , Tarpley brought in Bois d ’ Arc crafters for the festival , most notably a gentleman from Kansas called Bud Hanzlick who fashioned stools , benches , chairs and more from the harvested deadfall of the yellow wood .
At that point in my life Bois d ’ Arcs were ‘ horse apple ’ trees , known for producing volumes of softball-sized fruits resembling lime green monkey brains every year in the late summer , and , in my opinion , just downright ugly trees , with whorly trunks and limbs extending at unnatural angles like scarecrow arms broken at the elbow . Why would anyone celebrate that ?!
GREENVILLE LIFE 9 SUMMER 2024