More than 2,500 Trees and Shrubs Planted in Turkey Run and Beckley Creek Parks
While strolling along the Louisville Loop or Seaton Valley Trail in Turkey Run Park, you’ve probably noticed a number of new trees in Seaton Valley. Throughout November and early December, our horticulture and natural areas teams are working with Eco-Tech Consultants to plant 2,800 trees and shrubs in The Parklands. This fall tree planting is made possible by the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust grant awarded to The Parklands Urban Conservation Initiative in 2014. Thanks to this grant, we are fortunate to fund the planting of trees to improve our riparian areas along Floyds Fork as part of the goals of the overall grant.
“In doing this planting we are looking to provide species diversity to build a healthier ecology, plus add further aesthetic beauty to our natural environment at The Parklands,” said Horticulture Director Tom Smarr. “We are working on planting methods to balance establishment and long-term management.”
The planting of these trees in Turkey Run Park is part of a long-term plan to reforest portions of Seaton Valley, creating a breathtaking variation from forest to meadows. While it will be decades before these trees create the visual impact envisioned by park staff, the project is something that will have a lasting effect on The Parklands landscape.
A portion of the trees and shrubs are being planted in Beckley Creek Park along the Humana Grand Allee, where 100 trees were planted this past spring. This area has been the focus of past work on the Urban Conservation Initiative. The trees and shrubs being planted in this round include 36 different species—all native to Kentucky. The planting is taking place while the trees are dormant and before the ground is too cold for digging and planting. The trees will leaf out next spring in their new home conditions, enabling them to adjust through the first year.
More photos of Urban Conservation Intiative
See below for a full breakdown of the trees and shrubs being planted in Turkey Run and Beckley Creek Parks.
- 47 Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica)
- 42 Southern Arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum)
- 85 Red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia)
- 23 Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)
- 42 Dogwood, Red Osier (Cornus sericea)
- 68 Hazelnut (Corylus americana)
- 97 Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)
- 74 Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)
- 45 Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)
- 42 Hydrangea, Smooth (Hydrangea arborescens)
- 138 Witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
- 77 Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
- 72 Sumac, Staghorn (Rhus typhina)
- 64 Plum, American (Prunus americana)
- 34 Plum, Chickasaw (Prunus angustifolia)
- 63 Viburnum, Blackhaw (Viburnum prunifolium)
- 92 Serviceberry, Allegheny (Amelanchier laevis)
- 75 Buckeye, Red (Aesculus pavia)
- 62 Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) ‘Wabash’
- 111 Oak, Bur (Quercus macrocarpa)
- 106 Oak, Shumard (Quercus shumardii)
- 112 Oak, Swamp White (Quercus bicolor)
- 99 Basswood (Tilia americana)
- 91 Buckeye, Ohio (Aesculus glabra)
- 100 Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus)
- 26 Pecan (Carya illinoinensis)
- 48 Persimmon (Diospyrus virginiana)
- 94 Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)
- 27 Walnut, Black (Juglans nigra)
- 94 Northern catalpa (Catalpa speciosa)
- 107 Hickory, Shagbark (Carya ovata)
- 97 Hickory, Shellbark (Carya laciniosa)
- 94 Blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica)
- 101 Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
- 107 Yellowwood (Cladrastis lutea)
- 150 Mulberry, Red (Morus rubra)