The annual Ag in the Classroom event at the San Jacinto County Fair Showbarn was a tree-hugging, butter-making, cow mooing, game-playing venue.  In mid-May with year-end testing behind them, more than 300 fourth graders combined a fun-filled field trip with learning.

Eight volunteer Master Gardeners spent the day teaching all about trees and the important role they play in our lives, providing everything people and animals need from shelter to cleaner air, to food to medicine.

 

A sample trunk from the tree commonly called Hercules club or toothache tree was a big hit as children envisioned early man using the “weapon” spikes to hunt animals.  Native Americans recognized the sharp tooth-like projections as a clue to the tree’s usefulness….chewing the bark numbs the mouth used in early dental work.

 

One surprising take away….very few children could name the “pecan” as our state tree but everyone knew the bluebonnet is our state flower.  The mission of SJC Master Gardeners is to provide educational opportunities and outreach….we clearly have more work to do.  Pecan trees are long-living hardwoods with a long tap root that provides stability in high winds and allows the tree to survive both wet and dry climates. Texas is a world leader in native pecan production with a substantial economic impact.