The Sylva Garden Club invites visitors to take a walking tour of the town's lovely native trees that add grace and dignity to this Jackson County community.

Sylva's diverse tree population has added a badge of beauty to the town as Sylva is a designated Tree City USA and recognized by the U.S. government.

In 2008, the Sylva Garden Club printed their fourth edition of "A Tree Walk in Sylva," which provides easy-to-follow descriptions and identifications of 44 of the town's 50 species, detailed in a 1.2-mile walk.

The walk officially begins at Bicentennial Park near the old courthouse, but folks are encouraged to start at any point along the trail.

The trees are marked by number and their common name to correspond with the booklet's centerfold map.

The booklet shares the unique personality of Sylva's trees including the rare ginkgo, which is native to the orient, the showiness of the smoke trees, and the ornamental purple beech trees.

Created by local author and artist Col. Theodore Fuller, the first booklet was printed in 1981.

The second printing in 1986 included three short walks through Sylva's downtown.

The third printing by Col. Fuller's daughter, Kay Mitchell, included her illustrations and notes.

"A Tree Walk in Sylva" costs $7 and is available at the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, City Lights Bookstore and Friends of the Library in Sylva.

Whether you are a beginning student of trees or a have a background in arbor studies, this booklet offers a distinctive appreciation of trees in the Smoky Mountains year round.

For more information call 800.962.1911 or visit www.mountainlovers.com.