Submitted by Cathy Pickard
Member, Wild Ones St. Louis Chapter
Bob Pickard with Ed’s tree
St. Louis Wild Ones lost a dear friend when Ed Schmidt passed away in 2019. In recognition of his many years of service to the Wild Ones St. Louis Chapter, members, colleagues and friends contributed money for the purchase of a tree, to be planted in Ed’s memory. After lots of conversation and consultation, a 15-gallon, 8 foot tall Overcup Oak (Quercus lyrata) was purchased from Forest ReLeaf and planted at the Ethical Society of St. Louis, where Ed was an active member and former Board president.
Marsha Gebhardt, Kathy Bildner and Tessa Wasserman helped in the tree and site selection. Bob and Cathy Pickard dug the hole and planted the tree, with assistance from Gordon Schweitzer, good friend and past president of Forest ReLeaf Missouri.
The Overcup Oak is in the white oak family and is one of the most flood tolerant oaks. It has large, dark green, lobed leaves that are white underneath. The acorn is nearly hidden by its cap, giving the tree its common name. An Overcup Oak can grow up to 60 feet tall. Ed’s tree is located on the east side of the parking lot behind the Ethical Society building. Though small now, we hope it will thrive and grow big and tall, eventually providing sustenance to many native caterpillars, food and shelter to animals, and shade and beauty to human visitors for many years to come—a fitting tribute to a man with a very generous heart.
Plaque:
In Loving Memory of
Ed Schmidt
August 7, 1939 – October 27, 2019
Wild Ones St. Louis Chapter
