Howdy, park-goers! It's time for our August 2026 Tree of the Month. This month we're highlighting the Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus).

G. dioicus is a large, deciduous tree native to central and eastern North America, including our home state of Missouri. Specimens typically reach 60–80' in height and 40–55' in canopy width; however, I have personally seen specimens over 100' tall in the wild woods of southern Missouri and Illinois. In Missouri, this species prefers low and rich woodlands, bluff bases, and areas along streams and rivers.

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Hi, I’m Cup Plant (Silphium perfoliatum)!

I’m a beautiful sunflower-like Missouri native that occurs throughout the state in open, low woods, thickets, wet meadows and prairies, stream/pond borders, and along railroad tracks in full sun. Typically grows 4-8 feet tall on tough erect stems and is easily distinguished by its square stems and pairs of cup forming leaves.  Flower heads are typically 3 inches in diameter, featuring light yellow rays and darker yellow center disks that bloom in the summer from July to September.  A large plant that needs lots of space and can be somewhat aggressive in the landscape.

Can you spot me in Tower Grove Park?

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Each month, hear directly from Tower Grove Park Rangers as they share practical tips to keep the park safe, healthy, and welcoming for everyone.

Each installment highlights a seasonal tip, from protecting garden beds and wildlife to navigating the Park safely and respectfully year-round.

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Tower Grove Park Celebrates Major Project Milestones with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony on July 16, 2026. Tower Grove Park announces the completion of the Event Support Building with the Park's Beer Garden, the Director's Croquet Garden, and the restoration of four pavilions.

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On June 4, we hosted an engaging look at Frémont’s Hundred Days, the brief but consequential period when General John C. Frémont led Union forces in Missouri. The presentation was led by Gregory Wolk and highlighted Frémont’s major decisions, the controversies that followed, and the lasting impact this moment had on the state’s Civil War story.

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Howdy, park-goers! It's time for our July 2026 Tree of the Month. This month we're highlighting one of Missouri's mightiest native trees: the Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata).

Shagbark hickory gets its common name from the long, shaggy strips of bark that peel away from the trunk as the tree matures, creating one of the most distinctive silhouettes in the forest.

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Each month, hear directly from Tower Grove Park Rangers as they share practical tips to keep the park safe, healthy, and welcoming for everyone.

Each installment highlights a seasonal tip, from protecting garden beds and wildlife to navigating the Park safely and respectfully year-round.

Read More