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May Tree of the Month-American Chestnut
The American chestnut, Castanea dentata, is a tree with incredible stories to tell. Tales of diverse forests full of their ancestors soaring 75-100’ high. Tales full of Native Americans who coexisted with those…
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Road Trip Garden-Leila Arboretum
Battle Creek, Michigan Leila Arboretum began like many arboretums and public gardens. Leila Post Montgomery (widow of cereal magnate C.W. Post) envisioned a cultural center amid the beautiful rolling hills just outside Battle…
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December Tree of the Month-Shortleaf Pine
The pines have held an esteemed place throughout history, especially in the US, where they were-and still are-valued for lumber. We only have one native pine in Missouri, Pinus echinata, commonly known as…
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November Tree of the Month-Sweetgum
Those of us who are graced with the ownership of a mature sweetgum tree (Liquidambar styraciflua) know that it is a tree for all seasons…for it is ALWAYS gumball season. Most people are…
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September Tree of the Month-Aspen
Anyone experiencing peak Aspen glow in the Rocky Mountains has thought about growing aspens once they get back home. Unfortunately, if “home” happens to be St. Louis, you are most likely going to…
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June Tree of the Month-Shellbark Hickory
During a recent trip to the University of Missouri (Mizzou) campus, I couldn’t help but notice the abundance of shellbark hickories, Carya laciniosa. These trees are striking and large, with deep green leaves…
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April Tree of the Month-Crabapple
If one could bottle up the scents of childhood, for me, it would be the lingering smell of melting tinsel against C7 Christmas tree bulbs, The sharp scent of Bactine on scraped knees,…
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November Tree of the Month-Pawpaw
What happens when someone with four paws, finds a pawpaw? The Lewis and Clark expedition first brought pawpaw, Asimina triloba, to the attention of the early European settlers. Historians state the expedition’s famished…
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September Tree of the Month-Alder
And the winner for the cutest cone category is … the Alder tree! Face it, the cones are cute. And if you are into fall or holiday crafts, this is your new favorite…
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August Tree of the Month-Beech
St. Louis rests on the edge of hardiness for the native North American beech, Fagus grandifolia, which is only found naturally in the central, and southeast corner of Missouri. Whereas our neighbors to…
