Leaders want arboretum to become regional attraction

Also on Margaret’s property are offspring from a Trail of Tears redbud, a Harriet Beecher Stowe Golden Raintree and President Madison’s Montpelier Red Maple. These are augmented by the tulip poplars whose seeds came from a tree planted at Mount Vernon in 1798.

The history of this nine-acre sanctuary at the corner of Whitmore and Euclid continues with a board of directors chosen last week. They’ll be helping out with the federal grant needed to fund the place, with the ultimate goal of becoming a regional tourist attraction.

“I won’t say,” Sturtevant said, asked how much money has gone into the project already. “I’m not going to say on that – a lot of money, a whole lot of money.”

And a whole lot of money is needed still. Sturtevant said the current annual budget is about $50,000, but as much as $100,000 will be needed to hire a full-time landscaper, add a small office, benches, a gazebo and a parking lot.

This beautiful but ambitious undertaking started in 1994. Sturtevant and her late husband Judd decided to plant oaks, tupelos, sycamores, pines, redbuds and redwoods on the southeastern corner of their property instead of almonds. Eventually the woodsy oasis could become a quiet place where community members could go for relaxation or meditation. They could ask questions about which tree or shrub would fill a need at their own homes, there could be classes and all kinds of information on an assortment of plants and trees from all over the world.

Now Sturtevant has a leadership team which includes Hughson City Councilman Matt Beekman and Modestans John Carter and Ed Perillo. Carter is an instructor at California State University, Stanislaus and Perillo is a teacher at Modesto Junior College.

Perillo became intrigued with the place at one of Sturtevant’s open gardens. He started talking to her about it and was hooked.

“It’s a wonderful open space with trees, native trees,” he explained. “And you can walk around learn about trees and appreciate nature.”

Perillo said increased awareness of the arboretum is necessary. Anyone interested can check the local media for upcoming open gardens and classes.

“Just last Saturday we had a class for children where they learned about trees and seeds,” Perillo explained.  

Sturtevant said the board of directors was formed to come up with a budget and help her acquire non-profit status. Both are necessary in order to apply for a state grant.

Also needed are volunteers. Someone who could construct the gazebo would help minimize the budget, which must also cover electricity and brochures.

“What we’re trying to do with the trees that we plant is let people know how they plant trees that don’t use a lot of water,” Sturtevant explained. “It’s the garden of the future really.”