News: Neillsville (Listeman Arboretum - 1983)

Contact: Kathleen E. Englebretson

Email: kathy@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Listeman, Sischo, Purchase

---Source: Marshfield News-Herald (12 May 1983)

NEILLSVILLE - Kurt Listeman wanted "A place to inspire the mind of man" when he established the Listeman Arboretum in 1965 on Neillsville's west side.

The arboretum with nearly a mile of meandering Black River of one boundary, is place to study the growth and development in nature.

The steep, rolling hills and mondocks (mounds) are not suitable for farmland, so Listeman proposed developing the land for hiking and nature study. With the help of John Purchase, a survey and general management plan was developed.

The land has no virgin timber. Lumberman cut the first logs in Clark County in 1846. The trees in the arboretum are about 80 years old, which indicates they grew after the lumberman had the best cut. Rather than clearing dead trees from the arboretum, rotting wood is left to return to the soil.

During this time of year, spring flowers are plentiful, including dog tooth violets, trilliums, spring beauties, blood root, and marsh marigolds.

Recreation Director Judy Sischo, in charge of the arboretum, is seeking workers for the summer to maintain trails.