DANVILLE – Cucumbers don't grow on it, but the cucumbertree magnolia at the Vermilion County Museum is still unique enough to make the cut for the first-ever "Danville Heritage Tree Tour."

That species of magnolia tree is not common in central Illinois, and the tree at the museum is a fairly tall one for its type, according to city special services Superintendent Steve Lane.

Lane is coordinating a "Danville Heritage Tree Tour" to raise awareness of Danville's urban forest. Lane is seeking from residents nominations of potential "heritage" trees.

The cucumbertree magnolia is a good example of one, Lane said.

It will make the tour, because it's a unique type to the area, has an interesting look and has historic significance, and not just because it grows on museum property.

Sue Richter, director of the museum, said the Barnhardt family bought the historic Fithian house in 1948 and planted the magnolia tree soon after moving in to the brick home that's now part of the county museum. The magnolia tree grows on the south side of the Fithian house, the same side as the second-floor balcony from where Abraham Lincoln made a speech.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, cucumbertree magnolia is the most widespread and hardiest of the eight native magnolia species in the nation, and the largest can be found on slopes and valleys in the southern Appalachian Mountains. Its soft, durable, straight-grained wood is used for pallets, crates, furniture, plywood and special products.

It's called cucumbertree because the fruit it produces resembles cucumbers. But in the spring, its blooms look like pinkish wax candles, Richter said.

"It's kind of a unique tree," said Richter, who explained that the trees normally grow to be 75 feet tall but they know this one is bigger, because it's taller than the Fithian home.

Lane encourages residents throughout the city to send in nominations of other trees that could be heritage trees.

He's looking for trees that fall into one or more of the following categories:

– A tree that exhibits exceptional size, form or rarity.

– A tree of historic significance due to its exceptional age; associated with historic structure, district, person or event.

– A landmark tree that's a prominent feature in the community.

– A collection of trees along an avenue or a notable grove or other planting.

– A unique tree due to its unusual shape, habit or something else that makes it unique.

Lane said he's accepting nominations through March, and members of the Danville Garden Club will help him sort through nominations and select the trees. By Arbor Day in April, Lane will have a map available that leads people on a self-guided driving tour to see Danville's heritage trees.

Lane said all nominated trees should be clearly visible from the street and must be within the Danville city limits.

Lane said Danville has an abundance of beautiful trees, but its urban forest is aging, and residents need to be aware that older trees need proper care.

"Our town is filled with silver maple and Siberian elm, which are very weak trees, and the time most of those were planted, they're now at an age where they're starting to decline. Of the trees we remove that are on city property, we remove more of those two species than all others combined. We're loaded with those, especially along streets and as those get removed, we need to get aggressive on replacing trees," Lane said.

Planting of new trees to maintain and enhance our urban forest should be a priority for all residents, he said.

For older trees, Lane said, regular pruning is most important, and removing dead and diseased limbs is not only good for the tree but the safety of property and people around the tree.

And for anyone thinking about planting trees this spring, Lane said, don't plant them under utility lines, unless they are very small trees, and don't plant them too near your house, and before you dig, call JULIE, a free service that tells you where underground utilities are located.

And if you want to plant between the sidewalk and the street, Lane said, you must contact the public works office first, so the city can approve the planting.

'Heritage Tree tour'

Danville Special Services Superintendent Steve Lane is taking nominations for a "Danville Heritage Tree Tour." A heritage tree must fall into one or more of the following categories:

Specimen: Exceptional size, form or rarity.

Historic: Exceptional age; associated with historic structure, district, person or event.

Landmark: Prominent feature in the community.

Collection: Notable grove, avenue or other planting.

Unique: Unusual shape or habit, something that makes the tree unique.

Nomination forms can be filled out and submitted on the city's Web site at http://www.cityofdanville.org.

Forms also will be available at: Robert E. Jones Municipal Building, 17 W. Main St.; Danville Public Works Building, 1155 E. Voorhees St.; Danville Public Library, 319 N. Vermilion St.; local garden centers.