The Ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei) in Buckthorn Canyon was harvested out for fence material several decades ago. The unusable juniper was left in place, creating a blanket of brush that prevented cattle or deer from accessing the canyon. As a result of no grazing pressure, several rough-leaf dogwoods (Cornus drummondii), escarpment black cherries (Prunus serotina), Carolina buckthorns (Rhamnus carliniana), and rusty black-haw viburnums (Viburnum rufidulum) thrive in this area today.

Located in the upper reaches of Buckthorn Canyon is one of the prime habitat areas for the endangered golden-cheeked warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia). On a north- and west-facing slope can be found a mixed forest of Texas red oak and mature Ashe juniper where the average canopy height exceeds 20 feet and the canopy coverage exceeds 35%.

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Elevation Model of Buckthorn Canyon.
Satellite Image of Buckthorn Canyon.