A WALK BY ALL U.S. OFFICIAL STATE TREES, IN OREGON Guest Post by Caroline Hatton at The Intrepid Tourist

OKLAHOMA Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) in the Grove of States, Oregon

 My friend Caroline Hatton, a frequent contributor to this blog, came upon the Oregon Grove of the States in May 2022. She took all the photos in this post.

 

Grove of the States sign, walking path, trees and their labels, and car ramp from the freeway

Travel in Oregon is full of delightful surprises. While driving south from Portland on Interstate 5, I discovered the Grove of the States at the French Prairie Rest Area (Milepost 281).

OREGON Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) cone

 The Grove is a “state arboretum” where the 50 states in the USA plus the District of Columbia are each represented by their official tree. Taking a close look at every tree is a great excuse for a brisk walk to break up a long drive!

TENNESSEE Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera).

Other Tulip Poplars in the Grove represent Indiana and Kentucky

NEW HAMPSHIRE Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera)

Oregon Attorney General Robert Y. Thornton dreamed up this grove in 1967 to honor the First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson, and her work culminating with the 1965 Highway Beautification Act.

 

MAINE Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)

PENNSYLVANIA Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)

SOUTH DAKOTA White Spruce (Picea glauca)

As a fan of conifers, which tend to grow in the wild in vast forests of mostly one species, I especially appreciated seeing different ones within only a few steps.

 

All text and photos, copyright Caroline Arnold.   www.theintrepidtourist.blogspot.com