Taylor’s Unique Tree Promotes Student Learning
An ornamental tree that originated near Taylor is the focus of the environmental science class at Loup County Public School. The class is learning the history of the Taylor Juniper and the science of how it is grafted. The Taylor Juniper Juniperus virginiana ‘Taylor’ got its name from the town of Taylor, NE. Allen Wilke of Columbus, NE, found it in 1978 on the land of Marlin Britton west of Taylor. The “mother tree” was 25’ tall and 3’ wide. It was from this tree that Wilke took his original grafts. The Taylor Juniper is a genetic variation of the common Red Cedar Juniperus virginiana. Wilke desired to evaluate and distribute the plant to the nursery trade, and wanted it to be promoted and recognized as a native Nebraska introduction. He brought the Taylor Juniper to the attention of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum (NSA). The plant was grown and observed by Wilke and the arboretum for approximately ten years. In 1992 Alan Wilke and his son Evan, gave all business interest in the Taylor Juniper to NSA. The plant could not be patented because it was found in the wild. The Taylor Juniper tree grows in a tall conical-columnar form. The mature trees reach 25’ tall and 3’ wide. Their emerald green foliage and unique extreme height gives the “Taylor” a highly sophisticated groomed appearance without trimming. They are fast growing and love sunlight. Taylor junipers are hardy, disease resistant, and adapt well to any soil. Since its initial introduction in 1992, the Taylor has performed well in the landscape market. It has maintained its upright growth pattern and value as a landscape plant. In spite of this positive performance over the past ten years, it is still not readily available in the nursery industry. However, it is growing in popularity throughout the Midwest and worldwide. The NSA will highlight the Taylor juniper this year, their 25th anniversary, to promote it as the truly great landscape plant it is. The Taylor Juniper is also a “Great Plant for the Great Plains” recipient for 2003.
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