PICAYUNE —
Just as each person who reads this column will have their own individual list of plants that “speak” to them based on their personal experiences and memories, certain trees stand out to me as being significantly more interesting or attractive.
As I began my journey home last week after a Tennessee family reunion, I found myself wondering if the many mimosa trees that were lining the roadsides were on the “favorites” list of travelers who enjoyed seeing their masses of fluffy pink blossoms, oblivious to the fact that this plant is classified as an exotic invasive, and is common in the Southeast.
American beech is one of the trees on my personal list. A consistent companion throughout my life, it is coincidentally a component of one of the forest communities planted at the Arboretum: The beech-magnolia community. Whether this tree is cloaked in its characteristic brown persistent leaves in a winter landscape, or in autumn’s glowing yellow leaves perhaps held above a dusting of early snow with a backdrop of clear blue northern sky, or loaded with small beechnuts encased in spiny husks, this canopy species always seems to have something of interest, and a graceful and elegant presence.
Beech trees range in height from 40 to 70 feet and are recognized by their smooth, greyish bark and beautiful, spreading canopy. Although the tree is found in our coastal areas, it has a wide range, from northern Florida to Canada, to east Texas. A common sight along river banks in the Smoky Mountains National Park, the roots of American beech help to stabilize these rich, moist soils, and can serve as stair-steps leading down to a swimming hole below.
The leaf buds of this tree are quite distinctive, looking like tiny pointed cigars. In early spring, the new leaves burst forth from these unusual buds, and the tree becomes covered in thin, translucent leaves. It is not a tree for saturated soils. While it requires moisture, the soil needs to be well-drained. Best nut production will occur in full sun, but the tree also will tolerate shade.
Tulip poplar is another outstanding native tree found in Mississippi, and can be seen at the Crosby Arboretum. It also has a wide range, from New England to northern Florida and west to Louisiana. Find a photo of this beautiful orange and yellow-green bloom, and you may notice that it shares some similarities with its magnolia relatives. Interestingly, both the blossoms and the leaves have a tulip-shaped appearance.
Like American beech, this tree prefers rich, moist, well-drained soils. Its wood is light, and strong, and is a favorite of woodworkers as well as being an important timber species. The leaves of this fast-growing pioneer species turn a beautiful golden yellow hue in autumn. Although tulip poplar is a giant in the landscape, reaching heights of 100 feet, many Pearl River County residents will have properties offering ample room for its growth.
Shaggy bark, unusual lobed leaves, an elegant form, and acorns that are eaten by many wildlife species make swamp chestnut oak another attractive tree for planting in your home landscape. Many species of wildlife such as bear, fox, squirrels, white-tailed deer, and wild turkey are attracted to its large acorns. The tree is also known as “cow oak” because they are known to eat the nuts.
Like the first two species, this tree has a wide range in the U.S. But unlike the first two trees, swamp chestnut oak is a bottomland species, meaning that it tolerates poorly drained areas, and even periodic flooding. It is also found on bluffs or ridges in mixed pine and hardwood forests, in association with other tree species such as water oak, willow oak, and swamp red maple. Tickfaw State Park in Louisiana has some towering examples of this beautiful oak. If you have areas of poor drainage on your property, consider planting a tree such as swamp chestnut that will thrive in this habitat.
Swamp chestnut oak grows 60 to 80 feet or more in height. The leaves turn crimson red in the fall. The wood is used for furniture, flooring, tool handles, posts, barrels, and baskets. Swamp chestnut oak is shade-tolerant, and is found along rivers and stream banks. You can see several examples of this tree growing throughout the Arboretum. The next time you attend a native plant sale, ask someone to point out the beautiful specimen near the Children’s Garden.
For more information on trees, you can download or view the Mississippi State Extension publication No. 2330, “Native Trees for Mississippi Landscapes” from the Extension website at www.MSUcares.com, authored by former Arboretum curator Bob Brzuszek. Many other excellent publications on landscaping with native plants are available here.
For more information on the Arboretum, visit our website for our current program schedule and social media links. We’re open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are located in Picayune, off I-59 Exit 4, at 370 Ridge Road (south of Walmart and adjacent to I-59).
For further exploration:
Research the beech-magnolia forest community on the Internet. Learn more about each of the three native trees mentioned above on a website such as www.floridata.com or www.southeasternflora.com.
Lifestyles
Related Photos
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Tasty nuts are lying in wait for a hungry squirrel on this American beech tree. Patricia Drackett
A trio of notable native trees
Arboretum Paths
- Lifestyles
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Arboretum Paths
At the recent Master Naturalist training held at the Crosby Arboretum, Master Gardener Susan Swope discussed how using more natives in our landscapes can save us both time and money. She went on to describe some methods well-suited to lazy gardeners. One was to create planting beds in lawn areas. First, mow the grass as short as possible, then add layers of newspaper or cardboard, add a thick organic layer such as leaves, and there you go— less grass to mow.
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CBAC Did you know? program highlights dangers to senior citizens
Senior citizens face many dangers, said the speakers at the Did You Know? seminar at the Senior Center, and they sought to give the seniors information to help them navigate the risks. The Community Business Advisory Committee (CBAC) hosted the seminar at the Senior Center on Friday, May 17.
- 2013 Partners for Pearl River County By Jodi Marze The 10th class of Partners for Pearl River County celebrated its graduation at First Baptist Church on Friday, May 10, in the Fellowship Hall. The graduating class included: Jason Bounds, Nacole Dillon, Christy Goss, John Huck, Jeff McClain, Teenia Perry, Paul Reese, Brooke Rester, Eric Stafne, Richelle Stafne, Kristin Thibodeaux, Pat Tidmore, and Jim Walker. The staff is comprised of: Jo Woods, Tricia Knight, Shirley Wiltshire, Marilyn Bailey, Rod Lincoln and Scott Langlois (Program Chairman).
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Tami Harris takes state
Local business owner and community volunteer Tami Harris has won the coveted title of 2012 Greater Federation of Women’s Clubs-Mississippi Federation of Women's Clubs (MFWC) Club Woman of the Year for the state of Mississippi. A member of the Civic Woman’s Club of Picayune, Harris is one of only three club members, along with Darlene Adams and Leslie Lincoln, to take the state title.
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Arboretum Paths
Last week, students participating in the 2013 Mississippi Master Naturalist Program visited the Crosby Arboretum for an all-day training. The session was part of 40 hours of field and classroom instruction they will receive, educating them about natural resource management and environmental stewardship, and is a part of their preparation to become Certified Mississippi Master Naturalists.
- Chamber Ribbon Cutting Children's International Medical Group held a grand opening and Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting at their first Mississippi location, located in Picayune.
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Historic City Hall Dedication Friday
Friday, May 3 at 10 a.m. the New City Hall will be dedicated on Goodyear Boulevard. This event will coincide with the 75th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Old Historic City Hall building.
- PRC Community Band presents: An American Legacy The Pearl River County Community Band, under the direction of Johnny Baker, will present “An American Legacy: An afternoon of American music for concert bands,” on Sunday, May 5, at 2 p.m. at the Picayune Memorial High School Auditorium.
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Arboretum Paths
On their recent tour, fifth grade students from Lamar Christian School in Purvis encountered a seemingly endless variety of wildlife, ranging from crawfish to inchworms, to writhing masses of spiny, newly-emerged caterpillars. There is no such thing as a “typical” walk around the Arboretum’s Pond Journey and Pitcher Plant Bog. Every venture reveals something new to every group of visitors.
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Beebe returns to Main Street
“I was excited when the Picayune Main Street, Inc. Board of Directors asked me to return as manager to the local Main Street program. Also, extremely grateful to Picayune City Manager Jim Luke, Mayor Ed Pinero and city council for their blessings and approval to relocate our office,” says Beebe. “One of my favorite sayings is ‘There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer.’ I have to say, I had a blast working on committees, projects and events with the most dedicated staff and group of volunteers in Pearl River County from March 2005 to May 2010. I look forward to getting new committees in place and working with ‘seasoned’ volunteers as well as new volunteers who share the same passion and desire to keep Picayune moving forward.”
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