Tree Hunt Continues...

One of many signs on the Great Tree Hunt!

My adventure of the Great Saint Louis Tree Hunt has begun! I have found eight of the thirty trees on the hunt thus far. The hunt has been a great excuse to explore areas of my usual haunts that I have never seen before; far corners of Forest Park, hidden Gems in Lafayette Square, and beyond. I also chose to do a large portion of my hunt in a greener fashion, by utilizing my bicycle and public transit, something that I have grown partial to. Being a resident of Saint Louis, it would be silly not to get out there and rub elbows with my fellow Saint Louis neighbors!

My Transportation for the day, at Metro-link Station Airport Terminal 1.

One of the first trees I found was a Catalpa in Tower Grove Park. This tree holds a special place in my heart because I used to climb a large Catalpa tree when I was a child. It also happens to be the first tree I fell out of, knocking the wind out of myself, and in fear of telling my mother I fell out of the tree, I never told her until some time later. Ironic that today I still enjoy climbing large trees, only now days I utilize a harness and safety rope!

Catalpa bignoniodes (Cigar Tree)

Another Tree I found interesting was an Osage Orange in Forest Park, or should I say, hidden in Forest Park. This tree was off a woods path I never knew existed, but when I found it, I was glad I had taken a chance! This was a tree with-in a tree. A Large oak tree had began to rot, and all that was left was a hollow stump. A Native American Ceremonial tree was planted with-in the stump, and will continue to live where one has passed.

Osage Orange is another Tree that has a special place in my memory, as we used to take the large fruit, which we called hedge apples, and roll them down the country road, and compete to see who could "bowl" them the furthest.

Osage Orange Maclura pomifera

Osage Orange Maclura pomifera Fruit

If anyone would like a workbook for the great Saint Louis Tree Hunt, Please let me know, I have enough copies to go around (A few hundred in fact.) You can learn more about the Missouri Botanical Tree Hunt here, and there are some prizes for those that finish the hunt by the deadline! Any excuse to get out and enjoy trees is okay in my book, so I hope you get a chance to enjoy some as well!

Tree of the Month...

Nyssa sylvatica

It is May, and it is the busy season for us gardeners and those of us in the green industry. Flowers are being planted, trees being replaced, a new parking lot being installed, weeds on steroids, and so on!

So I would like to take this moment to discuss another less common tree, that should be more common! The Blackgum, or Nyssa sylvatica, is very underutilized in Missouri. It is in fact a native and is beautiful!

Blackgum is a very slow growing tree, but can get rather large, upwards to fifty feet tall and fifty feet wide, so it needs plenty of space and shouldn't be planted under power lines. It seems this tree prefers a moist location, but will thrive in full sun and heavy shade, and is very adaptable.

Disease and insects do not seem to be a large problem with this tree as of now. In fact, it seems to be one of my favorite performers, as it tolerates neglect well, and gardeners love plants that are low maintenance and can withstand some neglect in our hectic lives. I often worry about some trees, but this one is never on the worry list.

Nyssa sylvatica's Beautiful Fall Glow...

The flowers and fruit of this tree are insignificant, but birds love this tree, and let me tell you, the fall color is as beautiful as they get. Usually a deep red, but often it includes some beautiful orange tones and some yellow tinge. This tree will not disappoint in the fall!

Finding this tree for sale can be a burden, how ironic some of Missouri's best native species are so hard to find for purchase. If you are lucky enough to find this tree, and can give it a home, it will bring you and many other generations a healthy shade tree that will never fail to offer beauty in your landscape! Have a great spring!