‘How Cheyenne Plants Settled The West’ Free Shane Smith Lecture January 22

Did you know Cheyenne was nearly tree free when settlers began arriving in the late 1800's?

The director of the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, Shane Smith, will talk about 'How Cheyenne Plants Settled The West' during a free lecture at the Laramie County Library on Thursday, January 22.

The free lecture, part of the Journey Stories series, will run from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. in the Cottonwood Room on the first floor of the Laramie County Library, 2200 Pioneer Ave.

Shane Smith will tell about the High Plains Horticulture Research Station, just west of Cheyenne, developing plants that were hardy enough to survive the harsh environment of Wyoming. Over the years, the station would develop enough varieties to help settle communities from Montana to North Texas.

The High Plains Arboretum has a map online you can use to take a self-guided tour through 60 trees and shrubs hardy enough to withstand our climate. The list includes several local varieties like; Cheyenne Privet, Cheyenne Early Lilac and Cheyenne Mockorange.

The former USDA High Plains Horticulture Station includes a 62-acre public Arboretum. The Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, the Cheyenne Urban Forestry division and Friends of the High Plains Arboretum are working to preserve, restore and add to the collection of plants at the site.