Walnut Creek Preserve Speaker Series: Nature’s Misfits – Oak – The Tree of Civilization

Date: February 21, 2026

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Presentation Location: Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center at Walnut Creek Preserve

Speaker: Steve Pettis, Commercial and Consumer Horticulture Agent with the Henderson County Cooperative Extension

The genus of plants known as Oak (Quercus sp.) is at least as important to civilization as any food crop you can think of, maybe even more so. This presentation combines history and plant science to explore the history that oak trees and humans share from the end of the last ice age to the present. Henderson County Extension Agent Steve Pettis will discuss many of the ways oaks have influenced human civilization including acorns as a food source throughout history, oaken ships during the age of sail, ancient and modern industries based on oak, the oaks of western NC and much more.

Steve has been in the plant business for 35 years and holds an undergraduate degree in horticulture and a Master’s degree in plant protection and pest management. As a NC State University County Agent, he works with home gardeners, landscape professionals and local municipalities to make our built environments more natural and environmentally friendly.

RSVP is requested below, but not necessary to attend the event! Please join us!

The Walnut Creek Preserve Speaker Series programs are made possible thanks to our partnership with the Preserve.

*Walnut Creek Preserve is private property and guests are only allowed on the property by invitation (a planned event or scheduled group).  Thank you.

Contact Pam Torlina, pam@conservingcarolina.org, with questions or for more information.