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The Arboreta
for education and pleasure. C. Clay Harrell Arboretum
The C. Clay Harrell Arboretum, dedicated on June 20, 1992, is named in honor of C. Clay Harrell, Muskogee’s former City Manager, founder of “A More Beautiful Muskogee” and tireless advocate for community beautification. The Arboretum’s winding paths and scenic pond provide visitors a comfortable place for observation and contemplation while also illustrating proper planting and maintenance procedures for a variety of landscape trees both native and adaptable to Oklahoma’s climate. The trees in the collection are sponsored as memorials (form) and honoraria through donations. A plaque by each tree commemorates the name of the person or group being memorialized along with information about the tree including its common name, scientific name, and optimum sunlight and soil conditions.
Elbert L. Little, Jr. Native Tree Collection
The Elbert L. Little, Jr. Native Tree Collection, dedicated on June 17, 1993, offers visitors a chance to see and study the diverse forest ecologies of Oklahoma and their economic, aesthetic, and ecologic contributions to the state. The trees are grouped in their own natural habitat with elements of their indigenous ecologies incorporated. The collection is named for Elbert L. Little Jr., a native of Muskogee and author of 24 books including the reference book and field guide, Forest Trees of Oklahoma.