City of Fort Smith TreeQuest Winner - 2004
City's Largest Known Species to Date

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Our City Champion also has an intriguing history. It is located in one of two rows of pines located just south of the Boreham Library.

Story goes that a serious rift occurred on campus between the liberal arts faculty (located in the north side of campus) and the vocational programs (which used to be housed in the old tech buildings in the south side of campus).

As a result, Dr. Hattie May Butterfield, a former music teacher, planted the Loblolly pines in the mid to late 1950's as a barrier to separate the two programs.

Both programs are now a vital part of UA Fort Smith and the historic pines provide a breathtaking corridor leading from Waldron Road to the Reynolds Plaza and Bell Tower.

The tech buildings were demolished in 2003 to make way for the new Health Sciences facility.

Bark: The blackish-gray bark is very thick and scaly, with deep cracks that exposes the brown layers underneath.

Foliage: The tree has needles that grow in a bundles called fascicles. Loblolly pines typically have three needles per fascicle, but occasionally may only have two needles per fascicle. The needles are 6-10 inches long, stiff, stout, and green in color.

Flowers: The flowers are yellow with four petals, and are not visible during their blooming in the spring.

Fruit: The 3 - 6 inch long, conical-shaped cones are light brown and open at maturity to release seeds that are dark brown and paired. The cone of the tree remains attached to the tree for many years before dropping off.

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More Information

Tree ID Number:	146
Scientific Name:	Pinus taeda
Mature Height:	40 — 60ft. in the landscape
Canopy Spread (Diameter):
Branching Shape:	Rounded irregular spreading crown
Growth Rate:	Extremely fast growing when young
Wood Strength:	Softwood.
Cold Hardiness Zone:	6-9
Soil Moisture Requirements:	Wet, Moist
Light Requirements:	Sun
Common Pests:	None particularly serious in the landscape but can be attacked by pine beetles, fusiform rust and heart and butt rot.
Comments:	This tree is a fast growing pine for southern gardens. It makes an excellent canopy that provides a light shade for understory plantings. National champion is 148' by 83' at Warren, AR.

Find this tree on the Campus Map

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