Jackson County (Mo.) Historical Society

Historical Perspective

by David W. Jackson

Trees have a home on the Square

Anyone interested in minimizing their impact on the environment can begin “Going Green” by planting trees and native flowers, grasses and sedges. The advantages of planting a diverse variety of hardy, native trees are many, including: shade (and lowering utility costs); windbreaks; providing havens for birds; producing oxygen for all animals (this means you). Then, there’s beautification, including spring flowers and autumn leaves.

When the first settlers to Jackson County began arriving in growing numbers by the mid-1820s, they selected the site of Independence Square as the County Seat for its abundance of fresh springs and majestic forest of elm, oak, walnut, and hickory where Native-Americans had camped for ages.

Early European- and Native-Americans alike respected the beauty of stately trees; neither felled a tree unnecessarily, which is a stark contrast to the clear cutting that typifies modern development. Founders cut only those trees that had to give way for streets and buildings. Trees so concealed the fledgling Independence Square that strangers were unaware of its existence until they came to the clearing in the woods. Our forbearers also planted new trees when old growth stands were harvested, so that Independence and Jackson County is still rich with bountiful foilage.

But, even trees planted long ago and that have survived the woodsman’s ax have a natural lifespan. And, external forces like drought, sleet, wind, disease, and pests can hasten the demise of these stately treasures.

In the mid- to late-1930s, during the drought and deprivation of the Great Depression, large elm trees that shaded the bluegrass of the Jackson County Courthouse on Independence Square were cleared. The 75+ year-old-trees had been carefully protected during the remodeling and expansion of the Courthouse between 1933 and 1934. But, with two older trees on the south side of the Courthouse having died, and five others described as being, “scraggly veterans showing clearly the marks of intentional prunings and the scars of seasonal tilts with sleet and wind,” a decision was made to replace all 13 elm trees with 18 uniform hard maples.

Urban renewal in the 1970s added lots of earth and a concrete retaining wall around the Courthouse. Landscaping that once sloped naturally and gradually away from the building to street level was replaced with a concrete courtyard. Trees and landscaping suffer from inadequate water and nutrients, plus the reflective heat from expansive concrete of the courtyard (not to mention the buildings).

Current plans to reverse urban renewal hardscape might allow a more natural landscape to survive. I’m hoping decision makers on this project are considering “Going Green,” and “Growing Native.” Turf (needing continual mowing, weed whipping and edging) might be replaced with native grasses and sedges. Once their long roots are established, they are drought resistant and virtually maintenance free.

Native flowers are perennial, and would be a carefree alternative to the annuals that are now installed each season. Say, the Purple Coneflower is the official flower for the City of Independence…and it’s a native of our area!

I wonder if flowers and trees could be installed that have significance to Independence (the Burr Oak is the City’s official tree); to Missouri (State tree is the flowering dogwood); and to Jackson County (since we are named after Andrew Jackson, what about the redbud or a variety of southern magnolia like those planted on his Tennessee estate, The Hermitage)? How about honoring the Lewis and Clark Expedition with a tree they ‘discovered’ (the Osage Orange is one; if foresters think it could work on the Square).

It’s fascinating to look back as we plan for the future. You never know what you’ll uncover.

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