Brough among great gardening teachers

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Jul 29, 2005 | by Larry A. Sagers Deseret Morning News

When I think of great gardening teachers, the name of Sherman Brough comes to mind. I first met Brough as he signed up to take the Utah State University master gardeners course several years ago.

While looking at his credentials on his application, I noticed he had a doctorate in botany. Since taking the class, Brough has been an active part of the master gardener organization and has shared his knowledge of plants with those around him.

Brough, who grew up in Nephi during the Depression, became involved in the USU 4-H program and the forestry club.

"At the time, there were 4-H clubs around the county, and I enjoyed learning about trees and identifying them," Brough said. "I cannot say that that was why I had such an interest in botany, but I did enjoy the camps and other activities."

He later attended USU where he received a bachelor's degree. He then got a master's degree at the University of Washington and a doctorate at the University of British Columbia, where he would later teach for 28 years.

"British Columbia was a wonderful place to teach because you could collect (specimens) all year round," Brough said.

When asked about his interest in trees he said, "All my degrees are in mycology, which is the study of fungi. I took one of the very first classes ever offered on marine fungi and did extensive work in many areas of the country studying these organisms.

"I like trees better because you do not see mushrooms every year. You might find them once and then not ever see them again for 20 years. In the meantime, you have forgotten all about them."

While he published extensively in his scientific endeavors, he has also written three books that are of interest to the lay gardener. They are "Wild Trees of British Columbia," "Trees in Idaho" and my personal favorite, "Trees of Utah," co-authored by Darrell J. Weber.

So how did a mycologist come to write books on trees? Brough said it began when he was doing research on chromatography of compounds in lichens while on sabbatical from Brigham Young University.

"I had two months left. It had not been going well and I knew my department head would want to see some results for my sabbatical leave. I had not studied trees since my 4--H youth club and I was not very familiar with the trees of this area, so I started to key them out and one thing led to another." The result was "Trees of Utah."

The book is an excellent guide to the trees in our state. In addition to the identifying characteristics, Brough includes cultural notes and, on less common trees, locations where they can be seen.

Here are Brough's 10 favorite trees, some of which are readily available at local nurseries and others that may be harder to find.

-- Heptacodium -- or "Seven Sons Flower" -- is an unusual plant that was reintroduced from China in 1980. This little known member of the honeysuckle family gets its common name from the creamy white, fragrant flowers that appear in late summer. It grows 10-15 feet high and has an attractive arching frame with showy autumn fruit.

-- Fringe trees, of which there are two common types: Chionanthus virginicus and Chionanthus retusus. Chionanthus virginicus is hardy to Zone 4 and averages 15 to 20 feet in the landscape. Chionanthus retusus was introduced to the United States about a century ago. The Chinese fringe tree offers a beautiful form with lustrous, semi- glossy leaves, white, fleecy flowers and exfoliating bark.

-- Crabapples as a group are other favorites if you get ones that don't produce much fruit.

-- Scrub or Gambel oaks are another tree Brough likes. He has documented native specimens that are more than 72 feet high.

-- Gingko biloba is another favorite that grows well here. There are male and female trees, so select the males to avoid the stench of the rotting fruit.

-- Picea omorika -- or Serbian Spruce -- features tall narrow upright growth, but, Brough said, it is far better adapted to soils and pollution of valley locations.

-- Yews, an evergreen that doesn't grow too quickly. It is adapted to training and pruning and prefers protection from the hot sun. It doesn't tolerate poorly drained soil.

-- Bristlecone pine and pinyon pine. Both thrive with low moisture levels and are tolerant of a wide range of soils and climatic conditions. They are also slow growing.

-- Bald cypress, a deciduous conifer that drops its needles in the fall. It is well adapted to many locations and is a stunning tree with a tall, graceful form. Although native to swampy areas, it will grow well if soils are not too alkaline and are adequately watered.

Larry Sagers is the horticulture specialist for Utah State University Extension at Thanksgiving Point.