This land is a gift to the Texas A&M Forest Service from Scott Petty in remembrance of his father, Olive Scott Petty (1895-1994), to be used as an arboretum to benefit Texans.
Olive Scott Petty was the son of V.A. Petty, Jr., President of the Olive Sternenberg Lumber Company (renamed in 1908). He was born in Olive, Texas and this land is where he developed a love and appreciation for the outdoors. It was Mr. Petty’s dream to use the property for educating young people about Texas’ forests as well as the history of the land. His favorite tree was a magnolia and it will be the first tree planted at the Arboretum.
The mission of the Olive Scott Petty Arboretum is to promote the knowledge and appreciation of trees and plants for personal enjoyment, inspiration, and recreation; for educational and aesthetic purposes; and for scientific research. It will serve as a living classroom - a site of teaching, research, and public education related to the native trees and plants of southeast Texas.
For additional information about the Olive Scott Petty Arboretum, visit the Olive District Office at 3882 US Hwy 69 N, Kountze, TX 77625 or call (409) 246-2484 during office hours of 8 am to 5 pm, Monday-Friday.
