Wondering how I might find records to discover the origin of what appear to be Ponderosa pines that are scattered about farmsteads in the Piatt County and Eastern Macon County areas. One of these trees stands on my parents farm and was one of two 'twin' trees until the tornado of about 1964 twisted the second tree beyond salvaging. The farm in the late 1800's was home of Charity Armsworth and her husband and was the sight of a stagecoach stop. The trees do not seem to be native to Illinois, and I am interested to know if they may have been part of an early Arbor day planting or what their 'story' might be. Any help appreciated. Thank you

Greetings Andrea:

The trees you speak of are probably Austrian pines (Pinus nigra). There is an excellent article on the history of these trees and why they were commonly planted on farm homesteads in central Illinois. To order this article (Peddler Pines: Silent Sentinels of the Prairie), please begin at the following Website:

http://ilsteward.nres.uiuc.edu/Issues/2001/number1.htm