The Neighbors That Never Leave

Walk outside on any Jacksonian summer day and you’re guaranteed to do two things without even thinking about it. Sweat out your best outfit and look for a patch of shade. Whether it’s the shade tree in your front yard, the one outside your office, or that lonely tree that’s somehow carrying an entire parking lot on its back. Those towering neighbors quietly make our daily routines a little more comfortable.

Recently, Jackson State University and the Pecan Tree Park Neighborhood Association (PTPNA) decided it was time to return the favor. Together, the two partners completed tree inventories to better understand the health, condition, and needs of the trees that have quietly shaped these spaces for decades.

Think of it as a wellness checkup, but for some of Jackson’s oldest residents. 

Now, before you picture someone walking around with a clipboard counting leaves, a tree inventory is a little more involved than that. Every tree tells a story. Arborists document its species, size, health, location, and even look for signs that could point to future problems. It’s the difference between simply knowing a tree exists and understanding what it needs to keep thriving.

The PTPNA assessed more than 90 trees throughout the neighborhood. From towering live oaks and southern magnolias to the pecan trees that inspired the neighborhood’s name, each tree was documented to help guide future care, maintenance, and preservation efforts.

Similar to PTPNA’s tree assessments, Jackson State University’s inventory stretched far beyond a simple tree count as well. More than 1,700 trees across campus were documented using advanced drone LiDAR technology and on the ground inspections.

Whether it’s the crepe myrtles welcoming visitors into Gibbs Green Plaza or the bonsai looking loblolly pine standing proudly near the John A. Peoples Building, each tree now has a detailed record to help shape the university’s long term forestry plan. 

So…what happens after you count nearly 1,800 trees? You get to work. The inventories will serve as a roadmap for future maintenance, helping arborists decide which trees simply need a little TLC, which ones need closer monitoring, and which have unfortunately reached the end of the road. 

The next time you find yourself searching for a patch of shade on a hot summer afternoon, take a second to appreciate the neighbors that never leave. 

Our hope is to strengthen the forest that has been on the west side since before the west side was the west side because a healthy tree canopy is one of the biggest contributors to a healthy community.

These efforts are made possible through a grant from the USDA Forest Service in support of the Gateways to a Greener Jackson project.

If you’re interested in exploring the inventoried trees at Jackson State University check out the ArcGIS link below.

Jackson State’s Tree Map: https://fi-urbanforestry.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/basic/index.html?appid=67bdd9bfd083411aa6a554dd8f650f0b