The name “Lost Forty Brewery,” a popular craft brewery in Little Rock, Arkansas, might pique your curiosity. It’s a name with a story, deeply connected to a unique natural treasure in the Natural State: the Lost Forty forest. This isn’t just a catchy moniker; it’s a tribute to a remarkable forty-acre tract of old-growth forest in southeastern Calhoun County, Arkansas, a place that has inspired the brewery’s identity and ethos. To truly appreciate your next pint from Lost Forty Brewery in Little Rock, understanding the legacy of its namesake forest adds a rich layer of Arkansas history and natural wonder.
The Mystery of the Lost Forty Forest
Nestled along Wolf Branch, a tributary feeding into Moro Creek, the Lost Forty is a living museum of mature trees. This protected woodland, owned by PotlatchDeltic Corporation, is renowned for its impressive, aged trees, some exceeding 200 years old. Described as “primary,” “virgin,” and “old-growth,” the Lost Forty offers a glimpse into Arkansas’s pre-settlement forest landscape. The University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) School of Forestry and Natural Resources has recognized its scientific value, conducting numerous studies within its boundaries. Furthermore, a cooperative management agreement established in 1996 between PotlatchDeltic and the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission (ANHC) ensures its preservation for generations to come.
Alt text: Towering trees in the Lost Forty forest, showcasing the old-growth nature of this protected woodland in Calhoun County, Arkansas.
The forest itself is a diverse tapestry of natural communities, shaped by varying soil types and subtle changes in elevation. It’s broadly classified as a mixed bottomland hardwood-loblolly pine forest. Botanical surveys by the ANHC have cataloged nearly 150 plant species, including an impressive thirty-eight different tree varieties. Among the common species are pawpaw, musclewood, mockernut hickory, water hickory, pignut hickory, persimmon, American holly, sweet-gum, blackgum, hop hornbeam, loblolly pine, white oak, overcup oak, cow oak, water oak, cherrybark oak, willow oak, bald-cypress, and American basswood. Within this forest, trees of immense size thrive, reaching diameters of up to four feet and heights exceeding 150 feet, testaments to the forest’s undisturbed maturity.
Legends and Lore: How the Lost Forty Got Its Name
The intriguing name “Lost Forty” is shrouded in local stories, each attempting to explain how this particular tract of forest escaped the widespread logging that transformed much of the region. One popular tale attributes the name to a geographical quirk. Moro Creek, which serves as the boundary between Bradley and Calhoun counties, supposedly shifted its course. This change created confusion about the Lost Forty’s precise county location, leading to tax payments in both counties and a prolonged ownership dispute. According to this version, the legal complexities effectively protected the timber, as no logging could proceed until ownership was definitively settled.
Another narrative credits the foresight of foresters working for timber companies in the mid-20th century. These individuals, recognizing the increasing scarcity of such mature forests, allegedly conspired to protect the Lost Forty. Sent to mark trees for harvesting, they would reportedly claim they couldn’t locate or access the tract, effectively shielding it from the saw. Regardless of the true origin of its name and its escape from logging, the Lost Forty stands as a testament to a diverse and mature forest ecosystem, harboring remarkable specimens of numerous tree species.
Alt text: Ecologist Tom Foti, from the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, examining the diverse plant life within the Lost Forty, highlighting its ecological significance and biodiversity.
Why the Lost Forty Matters: Ecological Significance
In a 1996 report accompanying the cooperative management agreement, ANHC ecologist Tom Foti eloquently captured the Lost Forty’s profound ecological importance. He described it as a “living library,” holding invaluable information about forest structure, composition, and dynamics in the Coastal Plain region before extensive human alteration. Foti emphasized that studying such undisturbed areas is crucial for scientists to understand the characteristics of pre-settlement forests and their natural evolution in the absence of human management. The ANHC notes the rarity of such pine or pine-hardwood dominated areas within the Coastal Plain, which comprises 20% of Arkansas. The accessibility and timber value of this region have made old-growth forests like the Lost Forty exceptionally scarce. Its survival is a tribute to the foresters who resisted economic pressures and recognized the intrinsic value of these ancient trees. The Lost Forty’s unique combination of large pines and hardwoods provides an unparalleled opportunity to study the natural dynamics of an old-growth pine-hardwood forest ecosystem.
From Forest to Pint: Lost Forty Brewery in Little Rock
While the Lost Forty forest remains a protected, private area, not open to the public without permission, its legacy extends beyond its geographical boundaries. Lost Forty Brewing in Little Rock proudly carries the name of this natural wonder, drawing inspiration from its history and ecological significance. The brewery’s choice of name reflects a connection to Arkansas’s natural heritage and a desire to celebrate the state’s unique landscapes. Just as the Lost Forty forest offers a rich and complex ecosystem, Lost Forty Brewery aims to craft beers with depth, character, and a strong sense of place. So, the next time you enjoy a Lost Forty beer in Little Rock, remember the ancient forest that lends its name, a symbol of Arkansas’s enduring natural beauty and resilience.
For additional information:
Bragg, D. C. “Composition, Structure, and Dynamics of a Pine-Hardwood Old-Growth Remnant in Southern Arkansas.” Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society 131 (2004): 320–336.
Chaney, Rachel O’Neal. “Forest for the Trees.” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, August 12, 2012, pp. 1E, 6E.
Grell, A. G., M. G. Shelton, and E. Heitzman. “Influences of Elevation of Overstory Species Composition in an Old-Growth Bottomland Hardwood-Loblolly Pine Forest in Southern Arkansas.” In Proceedings of the 12th Biennial Southern Silvicultural Research Conference, edited by K. F. Connor. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-71. Asheville, NC: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station, 2004.
Grell, A. G., M. G. Shelton, and E. Heitzman. “Changes in Plant Species Composition along an Elevation Gradient in an Old-Growth Bottomland Hardwood-Pinus taeda Forest in Southern Arkansas.” Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society 132 (2005): 72–89.
Heitzman, E., M. G. Shelton, and A. G. Grell. “Species Composition, Size Structure, and Disturbance History of an Old-Growth Bottomland Hardwood-Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda L.) Forest in Arkansas, USA.” Natural Areas Journal 24 (2004): 177–187.
Theo Witsell Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission
