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A rich collection of native & exotic treesWhat is a champion tree?In 1886 Charles B. Wright and the Tacoma Land Companydonated approximately 20 acres of land to the City ofTacoma for a public park. Now at 27-acres, this siteincludes a rich collection of native and exotic trees,many of which are over 100 years old. The originalplantings included trees from all over North Americaand Europe. Later plantings added trees from Asia andSouth America. Currently, there are over 600 treesincluding approximately 145 species in Wright Park.Champion trees are the biggest trees of their species.The American Forest Association (AFA) has variousways in which a tree can be considered the biggest:circumference (trunk girth), height, crown spread, andtotal number of points. Points are awarded for eachinch in circumference, each foot in height, and everyfour feet in average crown spread.CHAMPION TREE TOURWright Park ArboretumThe early Park Board and superintendents took greatcare to make Wright Park a showpiece for thedeveloping city of Tacoma, arranging a wide diversityof trees along pathways and in shady groves. Amongthe historically significant trees are a red oak plantedin 1903 in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt’svisit to Tacoma, a gray birch planted in 1929 to honorall mothers of the city, and a giant sequoia planted in1939 in commemoration of the 150th anniversary ofthe adoption of the U.S. Constitution.The original planting plan has been lost, but we canstill see much of the historic layout in the patterns ofthe old trees. These patterns have been respectedthroughout park improvements and renovations overthe last century, and the Park District continues toplant young trees in the tradition of providing beautyand diversity for all to enjoy.Wright Park 501 South I St., Tacoma, nal landscapedesigner Edward OttoSchwagerl “saw thebeauties in what was toothers an apparentlyunwieldy piece ofnature.” - Tacoma DailyLedger of May 12, 1890Photo courtesy of TacomaPublic LibraryEighteen of the trees in this tour were recognized asWashington State Champion Trees by Dr. Robert VanPelt, in his book Champion Trees of Washington State.Rankings may change over time due to a multitude offactors, and a comprehensive survey has not beenconducted or published since 1996. We consider eachtree included in this brochure a Wright ParkChampion; integral to the park and imbued withhistorical significance.When the Tacoma Land Company donated the 27acres that would become Wright Park in 1886, one ofthe stipulations was the planting of at least 300ornamental shade trees within four years. From thevery beginning, Wright Park was destined to be ahaven of horticultural delight, an arboretum with avaried collection of woody plants for display and study.Before landscapingbegan, the six statuesdonated by Ferry werethe only landmarks inWright Park. Copies oftwo dancing girls byAntonio Canova werein place at the DivisionAvenue entrance tothe park by 1892.Photo courtesy of TacomaPublic Library

Seasonally Spectacular!The many benefits of trees Trees remove contaminants and particulates fromthe air, improving air quality by absorbing potentiallyhazardous gases and reducing particulates createdby heavy traffic and industrial activity. By filtering greenhouse gases such as carbondioxide out of the atmosphere, trees contributeover time to cooling the air. One tree can producethe same cooling effect as 10 room-size airconditioners. Each tree absorbs hundreds of gallons of water,filtering it through the root system so clean watergoes back to the ground They also do things you might not measure such asslow traffic, reduce noise, and cool sidewalks toencourage walking.Hands on“A man has made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human life when he plants a shade tree under which he knows full well he will never sit.”- Elton TruebloodIn addition to this arboretum, Metro Parks has oldgrowth at Point Defiance Park, young forest at SwanCreek Park, oak woodlands at Oak Tree Park andWapato Hills Park, and wetlands at China Lake Parkand DeLong Park. This varied urban forest serves aneducational function as well as providing the social,environmental and health benefits of the urban forestas a whole. Stewardship activities, tours, events,classes and signs are a few of the many possibilities tolearn more about the forest.Wright Park is alsohome to W.W. SeymourBotanical Conservatory.It opened in 1908through a generous giftfrom William W.Seymour, President ofthe Metropolitan ParkBoard and later Mayorof Tacoma.Photo courtesy of TacomaPublic Library

Red OakQuercus rubraNative Habitat: Northeastern U.S.Planted 19031This specific tree is known as the TeddyRoosevelt Oak as it was planted in honorof President Theodore Roosevelt’s visit toTacoma in May of 1903.A symbol of strength, the oak became theofficial National tree of the United Statesin 2004. During the War of 1812, the Navyship USS Constitution took its nickname “OldIronsides” from the strength of its live oak hull,famous for repelling British cannonballs.Red oaks do not produce acorns until they areat least 20 years old. Acorns are an importantfood source for insects, squirrels, deer, and birds.Observe: The pointed lobes on the leaves, widereaching branches that provide shade, andridged bark resembling ski tracks.Mockernut HickoryCarya tomentosaNative Habitat: Eastern half of U.S.Planted ca. 18952This tree has sweet-smelling leaveswith seven leaflets and gray, irregularlyfurrowed bark. Also called the WhiteHickory due to the light color of the wood,the tree’s common name of “Mockernut”comes from the large, thick-shelled fruitwith very small kernels of meat inside.Although the Mockernut Hickory growsvery slowly, it is long lived, sometimesreaching the age of 500 years. A highpercentage of the wood is used forproducts where strength, hardness, andflexibility are needed.Observe: The newer twigs and leafletscovered with fuzz, which explains its Latinname, tomentosa, meaning “dense softhairs.”

Red Maple3Acer rubrumNative Habitat: Eastern North AmericaPlanted ca. 1895Currently the most common species oftree in America, the Red Maple may havecomprised a mere 5% of forest area whenEuropeans first arrived here. Its abilityto thrive in a large number of habitats islargely due to its ability to produced rootsto suit its site from a young age. Also, deerleave maple seeds untouched so volunteerseedlings proliferate.It is extensively used as a city street treebecause of the ample shade the canopyprovides during hot summers followed by thevibrant color show just before the leaves fall.Observe: Its brilliant deep scarlet foliagein autumn. It is aptly named as its flowers,petioles, twigs and seeds are all red tovarying degrees.Caucasian AshFraxinus angustifoliaNative Habitat: EuropePlanted ca. 18954The common name of this narrow-leafed“ash” traces back to Old English “aesc”which means spear. The bark is smoothand pale gray on young trees, becomingsquare-cracked and knobby on old trees.Wood of the ash tree is strong and elasticat the same time. It is used for makingbows, tool handles, baseball bats, andelectric guitar bodiesFlowering occurs in early spring. The seeds,popularly known as “keys” or “helicopterseeds,” are a type of fruit known as asamara.Observe: The buds are pale brown, whichreadily distinguishes it from the relatedFraxinus excelsior (black buds) even inwinter.

Paper Birch5Betula papyriferaNative Habitat: Northern North AmericaPlanted ca. 1895The name “papyrifera” comes from theGreek “papurus” (paper) and the Latinword “fero” (to bear, carry, bring).The distinctive white paper-like bark ishighly weather-resistant due to its highoil content. Native Americans used theflexible, waterproof bark for canoes,teepee covers and baskets. Its wood isnow used commercially for toothpicks andPopsicle sticks.Observe: The bark is white, flaking in finehorizontal strips, and often with smallblack marks and scars. In individualsyounger than five years, the bark appearsbrown with white lenticels, making thetree much harder to distinguish.European AshFraxinus excelsiorNative Habitat: EuropePlanted ca. 18956This is a large deciduous tree growing to65-114 ft. tall with a trunk diameter up to6 ft. and a tall, domed crown. In Europeanfolklore, Yggdrasil is a legendary ash treeknown as the World Tree. It was said thatits roots reached down into hell while itscrown touched the heavens, its huge trunkconnecting the two.The bark is smooth and pale gray onyoung trees, becoming thick and verticallyfissured on old trees. This tree has highlyflexible wood which is used for bows, toolhandles and walking sticks.Observe: The jet black buds in spring whichdistinguish it from most other ash species,which have gray or brown buds.

Plume Sawara Cypress7Chamaecyparis pisiferaNative Habitat: Central & Southern JapanPlanted ca. 1895This slow-growing coniferous evergreentree is cultivated for its timber in Japan,where it is used as a material for buildingpalaces, temples, shrines and baths, andmaking coffins. The wood is lemon-scentedand light-colored with a rich, straightgrain, and is rot resistant.Also a popular ornamental tree in parksand gardens, this tree is a cultivatedvariety that does not grow in the wild.Female cones appear in autumn; malecones are borne in spring.Observe: The peeling bark is red-brown,vertically fissured and with a stringytexture. Fine-textured medium greenneedles are tinted white beneath.Spanish ChestnutCastanea sativaNative Habitat: Europe & AsiaPlanted ca. 18958This long lived deciduous tree grows talland strong. The bark often has a net-shapedpattern with deep furrows or fissures runningspirally in both directions up the trunk. Thesmall female flowers form strongly scenteddrooping clusters that mature into thornyshelled fruits which contain energy rich ediblenuts (chestnuts). Roasted chestnuts are awell-known Christmas treat in Europe.This tree requires mild climate and adequatemoisture for good growth and a good nutharvest. Its current year’s growth (but not therest of the tree) is sensitive to late springand early autumn frosts, and is intolerantof lime.Observe: The leaf edges which resemblesaw-blade teeth.

American Chestnut9Castanea dentataNative Habitat: Eastern North AmericaPlanted ca. 1895It is estimated that approximately 3 billionAmerican Chestnut trees were destroyedin the first half of the 20th century by theairborne fungal disease chestnut blight afterits initial discovery in 1904. Fortunately, thisis a rapidly growing deciduous hardwoodtree and a prolific bearer of nuts.This tree is a valuable food source for wildlife.It also contains more nitrogen, phosphorus,potassium and magnesium in its leaves thanmany other trees which means they returnmore nutrients to the soil.Observe: It can be best identified by thelarger, more widely spaced saw-teethon the edges of its leaves, as indicatedby the scientific name dentata, Latin for“toothed.”Giant Sequoia10Sequoiadendron giganteumNative Habitat: Sierra Nevada MountainsPlanted 1939This specific tree was planted incommemoration of the 150th anniversaryof the adoption of the U.S. Constitution.Named after Sequoyah (1767-1843), theinventor of the Cherokee syllabary, sequoias arethe world’s largest single trees, growing to anaverage height of 164-279 ft. and 20-26 ft. indiameter. They supplement water from the soilwith fog, taken up through air roots to heightswhere the root water cannot be pulled.They are also among the oldest living thingson Earth with the oldest known giant sequoiabased on ring count being over 3,500 years old.Observe: Sequoia bark is fibrous andfurrowed and provides significant fireprotection for the trees.