Trees & Trails
Trees and trails is approximately 3 miles of pedestrian, recreational and educational trails located at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden, a 440-acre haven of gardens and green space in the heart of Baton Rouge. Trees and Trails opened to the public in October 2009.
Trees and Trails is designed for hiking and interpretive, educational activities that encourage adventure and discovery for youth and adults. The trail system provides a framework to experience nature through an educational lens in a safe, outdoor environment. The trails are open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day of the year except Easter, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Trees and Trails offers learning opportunities for teachers, schools and other organizations. We welcome and encourage schools and organizations for all ages to enjoy the Trees and Trails as an educational experience. While formal field trips are currently unavailable, we encourage anyone interested in a group educational outing to send us an email at [email protected].
Location
Once on Botanic Garden grounds, follow the road to the Burden Museum & Gardens Visitor Information Center. The trail head signs are behind the Steele Burden Memorial Orangerie.
View or download a map of the trails.
Our Beautiful Trees
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A mature tree can pull one ton of water from the soil each day. This water cools the air through evapotranspiration acting as a natural air conditioner.
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In one day an average tree exhales enough oxygen to keep a family of four breathing for that day.
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The oldest living thing on earth is the Bristle cone pine tree estimated to be 4,700 years old.
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The world’s largest living thing, the General Sherman Giant Sequoia in California weighs 1,400 tons- as much as 300 elephants.
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The tree seed that often stays in flight the longest is that of the cottonwood tree. A tiny seed is surrounded by ultra-light white fluff hairs that carry it on the air from anywhere between a minute and a couple of days.
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The largest certified Oak tree in the world is one named "The Seven Sisters Oak" Mandeville, Louisiana. It measures 37 feet and 2 inches in circumference with a crown spread of 150 feet. It is estimated that it is more than 1,000 years old!
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A mature oak tree can draw up to 50 or more gallons of water per day. Trees take up water through their root system. Some of the water evaporates from the leaves in a process called transpiration.
- Oak trees can start producing acorns when they are 20 years old, but sometimes can go all the way to 50 years for the first production. By the time the tree is 70 to 80 years old it will produce thousands of acorns.
Field Trips
Field trips are not currently offered. Visit our resource page for information on self-guided educational outings.