Arborist helps Champion Trees grow strong at Compton Gardens

NWA Democrat-Gazette/SPENCER TIREY Arborist David Raines stands in front of a Champion Tree on the grounds of Compton Gardens in Bentonville. The gardens recently received designations for three more Champion Trees. NWA Democrat-Gazette/SPENCER TIREY Arborist David Raines stand in front of a Champion Yellow Wood tree on the grounds of Compton Gardens in Bentonville Arkansas Friday, April 18, 2019.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/SPENCER TIREY Arborist David Raines stands in front of a Champion Tree on the grounds of Compton Gardens in Bentonville. The gardens recently received designations for three more Champion Trees. NWA Democrat-Gazette/SPENCER TIREY Arborist David Raines stand in front of a Champion Yellow Wood tree on the grounds of Compton Gardens in Bentonville Arkansas Friday, April 18, 2019.

In the theater world, it's a Tony. In the movies, it's an Oscar. In music, it's a Grammy.

And in the world of horticulture, the award goes to the Champion Trees.

Go & Do

Native Tree & Plant Sale

When: 7 a.m.-4 p.m. April 26 & 7 a.m.-noon April 27

Where: Compton Gardens in Bentonville

Cost: Admission is free; plant prices range from $5 to $20

Information: 254-3870 or email jeannie@peelcompton…

The Peel Compton Foundation in Bentonville recently received word from the Arkansas Forestry Commission that three new Champion Trees have been designated at Compton Gardens. By definition, that means the American beech, the Pagoda dogwood and the bitternut are the largest of their kind in Arkansas -- actually, the bitternut is tied for the honor -- but they're also living representations of the history of Northwest Arkansas. All three grow on property once owned by Neil Compton, described by the Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture as "a physician of obstetrics by profession and a conservationist by avocation ... widely recognized as the founder of the Ozark Society to Save the Buffalo River."

"It is a great honor to have such a magnificent specimen at Compton Gardens," says Rikki Manen, director of development for the Peel Compton Foundation. "It is a testimony to Dr. Compton's sincere desire to preserve our native trees and plants. It is one of our goals to educate people on all of the varieties of trees found in the Ozarks. There is a lot of care that goes into maintaining and supporting these trees to grow to champion size and status, so it is also a nod to our wonderful crew."

"Having one Champion Tree to care for is an honor, but working at Compton Gardens allows us the greater honor of caring for multiple Champion Trees within a small piece of property near downtown Bentonville," says David Raines, an arborist whose company, Raines Tree Care, has been shepherding the forest at Peel Mansion and Compton Gardens for seven or eight years now. "We work closely with the grounds management team to assess the needs and potential hazards of all of the trees throughout both properties. After that, our crew of qualified arborists will safely and efficiently follow the work order and make all the magic happen.

Raines explains that "arborist is the correct title for my profession. More specifically I am an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborist. I currently hold two certifications and one qualification through the ISA; ISA certified arborist, ISA certified tree worker climber specialist, and ISA tree risk assessment qualification."

The climbing skills are absolutely necessary, he says.

"Many of the trees that are under our care are located in areas and garden beds that large trucks and equipment cannot access. We have two additional ISA certified arborists that work on our crew along with the most qualified and progressive climbing arborists in all of Northwest Arkansas. This is where the impressive climbing skills from our arborists really shine."

Raines says he sort of climbed into the line of work.

"In the mid-'90s I was a rock climber in Austin, Texas, looking for a job through the newspaper want ads," he recalls. "I saw a help wanted add looking for a 'tree climber.' I had no idea what that job entailed, but I knew I enjoyed climbing, and as they say, the rest was history."

The popularity of the Champion Tree program is just as serendipitous. Hot Springs artist Linda Williams Palmer was inspired by the idea of the Champion Trees in Arkansas and created a collection of artwork depicting them. The series, "Arkansas Champion Trees: An Artist's Journey," has been shown across the state and captured the attention of landowners and tree lovers like Krista Quinn, who nominated the potential champions at Compton Gardens.

"Our mission is 'providing access to recreation and rich traditions in the natural beauty of Northwest Arkansas,'" Manen says of Compton Gardens. "We want visitors to learn about the different varieties of native plants and trees that grow in the Ozarks. We want to teach guests about the different habitats and how important native trees and plants are to wildlife, all while enjoying the stunning natural scenery."

Of course, Raines is a big believer in planting native plants and trees in home gardens and says Compton Gardens can help make that happen, too.

"They have an extensive list of recommended native trees and plants for your home landscape and gardens," he says. "They also have an annual native tree sale that will help you get started with additions to your landscape."

Conveniently, the 14th annual edition of that sale is scheduled for this Friday and Saturday.

"Our native tree and plant sale offers high-quality locally grown trees, plants, bushes and grasses," Manen elaborates. "We hope the community will gain a greater understanding of the positive impact these plants make to our local ecosystem. A very important thing to note is how having native plants and trees provide the best food source for local bees. We will also have Master Gardeners on hand to educate buyers on how the native trees and plants can best thrive in their gardens."

Raines says Compton Gardens is inspirational any time, though, not just this weekend.

"Your first stop needs to be the visitor center to pick up a native tree guide and key -- and at that point you can't go wrong," he says. "As you take the path in front of the convention center, look up and be amazed at the giant white oak trees that tower over the front gardens; these three trees are definitely our crew's favorite trees to climb and work in. Follow the trail behind the conference center and enjoy the canopy of American beech and magnolia trees. From that point, I would make my way to the meadow located east of the Crystal Bridges Trail and enjoy the peacefulness that space has to offer."

NAN Our Town on 04/25/2019

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