April 22, 2015—COLLEGE STATION, Texas—Texans are fortunate to have a rich and colorful heritage. One book puts an elite group of trees together that have witnessed exciting events in Texas' frontier history.

It's been said that every tree tells a story, and if Texas' trees could speak, what a story they would tell: love, honor, betrayal, justice, mystery and death. The richness of our heritage is as vast and varied as Texas itself.

Imagine the hardship of early settlers of the high plains who sought refuge beneath the Landmark Cottonwood, or the sacrifice of families as their loved ones set off for battle from the Muster Oak. What final words passed between the two brigadier generals who shot each other near the Dueling Oak? How many young Texans were roused to patriotism by Sam Houston under the Runaway Scrape Oak? Was justice served on the limb of the Kyle Hanging Tree, or was it something else?

The book “Famous Trees of Texas” was first published in 1970 by Texas A&M Forest Service. Earlier this year the agency rereleased the popular book as a centennial edition—featuring the story of 101 trees throughout the state.

Join the authors of “Famous Trees of Texas,” Pete Smith and Gretchen Riley, for the first Issues Forum on April 30, 7 p.m. at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, in conjunction with TFS’s new exhibit, "History in the Making: Texas A&M Forest Service." 

A reception, book sale and signing will follow the presentation. This event is free but seating is limited. Reservations are requested at reservations.bush@nara.gov or 979-691-4014. 

To learn more visit http://bush41.org/events-listing.

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Contacts:

Texas A&M Forest Service 
979-458-6606, newsmedia@tfs.tamu.edu

Tracy Paine, Programs and Events Director
George Bush Presidential Library and Museum
979-691-4000, tracy.paine@nara.gov