Much of this weekend, I’ve spent learning about Arkansas trees. I attended a class by Al Einert, professor emeritus of horticulture at the U of A, on “Folklore of Ozark Trees and Plants.”
One of the things I learned was the variety of suggestions as to how the dogwood tree got its name. One I’ve never heard is that the wood is used in clocks where the “keep” is called the “dog.” Also, one of the first trees to bloom in the spring is the serviceberry tree. This tree is know by numerous names in different regions of the country, e.g. “Shadblow” in New England, and “Juneberry” in Iowa.
The Arkansas Forestry Commission is working on yet another revision of Dwight Moore’s, Trees of Arkansas. This one supposedly will have photos.
© 2010, Scott Branyan