The Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum announces the publication of "If Our Trees Could Talk: Discovering the Urban Forest of Sioux Falls," a stunning visual journey through the city's magnificent trees authored by Paul De Jong and Contributing Author Mike Cooper with photography by Paul Schiller.
This hardcover book documents the extraordinary trees that have silently shaped Sioux Falls' neighborhoods, watched over generations of residents, and stood as steadfast witnesses to history. From century-old bur oaks to rare blue beech specimens, from stately catalpa trees to prehistoric ginkgos, each page invites readers to pause, look up, and discover the living giants that make the community uniquely beautiful.
The book explores the distinct "tree character" of Sioux Falls' historic neighborhoods, including:
Cathedral Historic District's majestic black locust and northern catalpa trees
McKennan Park's rare American sycamore and 400-year-old commemorative bur oak
Riverview Heights' towering concolor fir that reaches over 100 feet
Maplewood's blue beech, considered a state treasure for its rarity
Tuthill and Tomar Parks' ancient ginkgo trees—living fossils from dinosaur times
All proceeds supporting the Arboretum's programs and tree conservation efforts.
The Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum and East Sioux Falls Historic Site is a 155-acre nature preserve located on the east side of Sioux Falls, featuring walking trails, prairie meadow, woodlands, and over 500 tree and shrub plantings of numerous kinds.
About the Contributors:
Author: Paul De Jong brings 40 years of experience from Landscape Garden Centers to this project. Despite the challenges of Parkinson's Disease, Paul has fulfilled his dream of documenting Sioux Falls' most remarkable trees for future generations.
Contributing Author: Mike Cooper served the City of Sioux Falls for 33 years in urban planning and parks development before becoming Executive Director of the Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum.
Photographer: Paul Schiller, co-founder of Lawrence & Schiller Advertising and creator of Acts of Nature photography, has had his distinctive work appear in dozens of galleries, homes and businesses across the upper Midwest.
