Packing a power auger and plenty of brawn, workers sink a young oak into Francis Quadrangle as Jesse’s dome supervises the job. The planters are, from left, Dylan Aitkens; Josh Pemberton, BS ’09; and Jerry Nichols. Photo by Nicholas Benner
Published on Show Me Mizzou August 25, 2022
Story by Dale Smith, BJ ’88
With the passing of the old pin oaks on Francis Quadrangle, a father and daughter in the plant business have pitched in to supply long-lived species at home in Missouri’s climate and soils. No doubt they would ascribe to the 17th-century English proverb, “Walnuts and pears you plant for your heirs,” a nod to providing for future generations. Three years ago, Wayne Lovelace, BS Ag ’58, owner of Forrest Keeling Nursery, and his daughter Kim Lovelace-Hainsfurther, BS Ag ’81, nursery president, provided a total of 70 saplings of five white oak species that have been gathering strength at MU’s South Farm research facility. This summer, planting commenced on the Quad, and, after a pause, the work is scheduled to finish this fall. Remaining trees in this Legacy Oaks program will find homes around campus. In the spirit of botanical posterity, we propose an amendment to the proverb:
Walnuts and pears you plant for your heirs,
And Show-Me folks called Tigers grow oaks.
