Louisiana State Arboretum - Ville Platte, LA






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Overview

The Louisiana State Arboretum is a delightful and enchanting place to visit for the most enthusiastic naturalist, as well as for someone just beginning to discover the beauties of nature. An expert will immediately recognize the Arboretum as an excellent example of a mature Beech-Magnolia forest. Others will simply enjoy walking the paths of one of Louisiana's most beautiful, inspirational and quiet woodlands.

While a park is usually designed for recreational use, an arboretum is a less contrived section of land containing either natural growth or planting, grown for scientific or educational purposes. Many trees, shrubs, and flowers are labeled and easily accessible to curious fingertips, transforming the area into a living botanical museum.

Arboretums Through the Years

Arboretums are certainly not new. Oriental emperor Shen Ming had one 2,800 years before the birth of Christ, and Aristotle designed one in Athens as an education forum. Royal courts throughout Europe began developing botanical gardens during the 1300s, and the United States National Arboretum was established in 1927.

The Louisiana State Arboretum is large--more than 300 acres of natural growth, embellished with additional plantings of species that are indigenous to the state. Atypical of the terrain in the Louisiana prairieland, the topography of the Arboretum is varied and dramatic. The landscape ranges from nearly flat along the Walker Branch of Lake Chicot to relatively steep slopes along the terrace ridges. Due to this great variation in topography, almost every type of Louisiana vegetation, except coastal marsh and prairie, is represented on the site.

Rustic bridges and several miles of trails have been constructed to lead the visitor through the network of hills, ravines, and creeks that support the Arboretum's myriad species of flora. Centuries-old giant beech, magnolia, oak, and ash trees can be viewed from atop the many ridges in the area.

Take a Tour
At the entrance to the Arboretum the Caroline Dormon Lodge can be found. The lodge was dedicated to the late naturalist, author, and artist in 1965. Miss Dormon, reputedly the first woman forester, spearheaded the drive to create a state arboretum. An interpretive shelter, with public restrooms and educational exhibits on a variety of botanical subjects, is adjacent to the lodge. Start your tour here and you'll immediately encounter a "cowcumber" or big leaf magnolia, which grows only in certain areas of Louisiana. Nature trails take you deeper into the wooded areas and longer trails take you along Walker Branch or Ferguson's Gully where several of the footpaths converge. If you walk the trails quietly, you'll discover that sycamores, maples, beeches, magnolias, hickories, ferns, and crane fly orchids are not the only living things in the arboretum. There's a good chance that you'll encounter some two-and four-legged critters, too: white-tail deer, wild turkey, raccoon, opossum, fox, skunk, squirrel, and numerous species of birds.

Touch but Don't Destroy

Established in 1961, the Louisiana State Arboretum was the first such area in the South and the first state- supported arboretum in the United States. To help preserve the Arboretum for future generations, removing or damaging any plants or animals is strictly prohibited. Pets and picnicking are not allowed on the grounds due to the preservation status of this site. Picnic grounds and camping facilities are available at nearby Chicot State Park.

Botanists, horticulturists, college students, youth groups, solitary nature lovers, and people of all ages are all attracted to this beautiful and fascinating place. No matter how you walk along the trails--whether carefully, with the attentive eye of a scientist, or at full tilt with the carefree heart of a child--the Louisiana State Arboretum promises to be a memorable experience. Enjoy and please remember--take only pictures, leave only footprints.



Activities & Amenities

	Outdoor Classroom		Wildlife Viewing Area		Restrooms
	Hiking Trails