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We had so much fun last fall with Ann and Ted Beason walking at their historic property near LaGrange that we promised to lead another walk there this spring, when we’ll hopefully see some of the spring ephemeral wildflowers that carpet the old growth forest floor. 

After doing a little research and math we’ve come to realize that the older Black Gum trees present in Beason’s forest are likely to be 400-600 years old. You might not imagine a pocket of old growth forest could still be found near developed corridors barely three miles from downtown LaGrange, GA, but the Beason family has preserved such a forest, eschewing timbering during the 20th century when nearly all of  Georgia’s remaining old growth trees were cut. And the Beasons have done much work in removing invasive Privet from the forest understory.

This remnant of the original forest is especially significant because it is located on fairly flat terrain in the lower Piedmont, which has been almost entirely farmed or clear-cut and used for pine plantations in recent decades. 

Our hosts, Ann and Ted Beason, have generously opened their family’s grounds to us and will share some history of the property.

Ann Beason has recorded many of the species of trees, plants and wildflowers found on her property, and in addition to being a naturalist is also an accomplished artist and photographer, often finding her muse among the many species that inhabit her forest.

We’ll walk along easy natural trails, with an option to visit an old growth Tulip Poplar in an adjacent forest along a creek, which includes some off-tail walking. Limit 15 participants.

To register (RSVP) click HERE – details and directions sent to registered participants.

A donation of $15 or more helps support our programs.

More About Ann and Ted Beason

In addition to caring for their landscape Ann and her husband Ted Beason care for their community. Among other community leadership projects, Ted Beason helped launch Big Brother and Big Sisters programs for Troup County, was a member of the Board of Trustees LaGrange College, and he and Ann helped create the LaGrange College Leaders Inspired for Tomorrow (LIFT) program in 2013, which includes an Outward Bound experience in the North Georgia Mountains for 10 college freshmen every year.