Dangerous Weather Conditions
From the Weather Service effective Friday night through Sunday morning (12/6-12/8): Bitterly cold air along with winds will produce dangerously low wind chill temperatures. Frost bite can occur in less than 30 minutes. Hypothermia also possible. More »
Trees and Shrubs
Whitman Mission National Historic Site is located in what was once an extensive grassland. Except for in the mountains, trees would have been relatively few and found mostly next to streams and rivers. When the Whitmans came they wanted trees. Dr. Whitman wrote to friends back east asking for locust, chestnut, and walnut seeds. Narcissa obtained sprouts of apple and peach trees from Fort Vancouver. Today the trees the Whitmans planted are long gone. But people still love trees. Landscapers planted many trees and shrubs on the park grounds to add beauty and provide shade. An apple orchard was created to represent the one planted by Dr. Whitman.
Below is a list of trees and shrubs found in the park along with some of the places where they can be seen.
Did You Know?
The Whitmans’ mission was important to early Oregon Trail travelers. Those who were sick, tired, or hungry or who needed a wagon fixed would make the side trip to the mission. Some would spend the winter with the Whitmans before continuing on to the Willamette Valley.