Welcome to the Crosby Arboretum, a living memorial dedicated to the late L.O. Crosby, Jr (1907-1978). The arboretum was designated to display plant communities typical of southern Mississippi ecosystems. The Crosby Arboretum is a partnership between The Crosby Foundation and Mississippi State University.
The Crosby Arboretum is dedicated to educating the public about their environment. This mission is carried out by preserving, protecting, and displaying plants native to the Pearl River Drainage Basin ecosystem, providing environmental and botanical research opportunities, and offering cultural, scientific, and recreational programs.
Forest ecosystems in south Mississippi and the rest of the U.S.A. are under increasing pressure from invasive species. In fact, several tree species native to this area are under extreme threat from the redbay ambrosia beetle and a fungus it carries. Together, they cause laurel wilt disease. Laurel wilt disease can kill all species of trees and shrubs in the family Lauraceae that have been tested thus far. This list includes redbay, swampbay, sassafras, spicebush, and avocado. Many other plants and animals could also be impacted, as many mammals and songbirds rely on redbay/swampbay fruits (drupes) as a food source. Other species, such as the Palamedes swallowtail butterfly rely on the dying host trees as a food source. Likewise, the native yellow fringed orchid relies on the Palamedes swallowtail to pollinate it’s flowers. As you can see, the impacts are severe and wide-ranging!
Laurel wilt disease has killed more than a half-billion trees since arriving in the USA in around 2002. A small number of beetles were introduced, likely via cargo ship. The females can clone themselves (as can the fungus), essentially meaning an entire plant family is threatened because of the introduction of as few as one tiny beetle (1/4 of an uncooked grain of rice)! In 2009, it was discovered near Saucier, MS after apparently having made a 300-mile jump, likely aided by human transport of firewood or other infested materials. When enjoying the outdoors, people can help minimize the impacts of invasive pests like the redbay ambrosia beetle by not moving firewood. Buying firewood close to where you burn it (and not bringing leftover firewood home) helps to minimize problems such as these.
For more Info:
Crosby Arboretum
Laurel Wilt
Don't Move Firewood