The Tree Lady by H. Josephine Hopkins

The Tree Lady is a colourful picture book that tells the story of Katherine Olivia Sessions who grew up in the woods of Northern California. In the 1860's girls were not expected to be interested in science and the natural world but Kate was. Kate loved trees and felt at home in the woods.

In 1881, Kate graduated from the University of California with a science degree, something most women at this time did not do. She took a job as a teacher in San Diego, in southern California. At this time San Diego was a desert town with few trees. When Kate looked out of her classroom window over to City Park, she saw cattle grazing and a garbage pit. Kate decided to change that.

After two years, she left her teaching job and began to research the type of trees that would grow in San Diego's dry, hot desert climate. She wrote to gardeners all over the world requesting tree seeds. She travelled to Mexico to see the kinds of trees that survived there. She grew the seeds she received in a nursery and began planting trees throughout San Diego. People also bought trees from her nursery to plant in their yards.

By 1900, San Diego was a changed city. Kate continued to plant more trees especially in City Park which was now renamed Balboa Park, so that the park would be even more beautiful for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. When the exposition opened, San Diego's beautiful gardens stunned visitors. Kate earned the title of the Mother of Balboa Park and received many awards for her beautification of the city.

 Discussion

The Tree Lady presents the life and work of Katherine Olivia Sessions, a horticulturalist whose foresight changed the city of San Diego from a desert city to one renowned for its trees.

Katherine Olivia Sessions was born on November 8th 1957 in San Francisco. Kate's family moved to a ranch in East Oakland in 1868. On the ranch Kate enjoyed the woods and rode her pony. She graduated from high school in Oakland in 1875 and then travelled to Hawaii (then known as the Sandwich Islands). In 1877, Kate was one of the first group of women allowed to study at the University of California at Berkley. She graduated in 1881 with a Bachelor of Science. 

 She accepted a teaching position at a primary school in Oakland and then moved to San Diego to teach at the Russ school.  After two years, Kate was invited to join her friends, Mr. and Mrs. Solon Blaisdell in purchasing and running the San Diego Nursery. This was the beginning of Kate's involvement in operating a number of nurseries and flower shops in the city. 

In 1892 she began to develop what would eventually be called Balboa Park. Kate leased land from the city in what was then called City Park, nothing more than a barren, dry mesa. In exchange, she promised to plant one hundred trees a year and to also provide trees for the city. It was at this time she also became the city gardener. By 1905, Kate had transformed the park into a lush, green park with many new types of trees. City Park became Balboa Park, a lush urban park.

Kate went on to teach school children about trees, shrubs and flowering plants and helped them in the school gardens. Kate Sessions, never married and died on March 24, 1940.

The Tree Lady is a biographical picture book that highlights a trailblazing woman who forged her own path at the turn of the 20th century. Kate Sessions developed a deep interest in trees and horticulture as a child. Her love of the natural world was likely considered "unfeminine" at a time when women were still encouraged to focus on domestic duties within the home. At this time it would have been unusual for a woman to earn an advanced degree in science and to work in her field of study.  Kate was fortunate to be able parlay her skill and knowledge into creating an urban park for the city of San Diego. Like most trailblazers, she had a unique vision and she worked to make it happen. Her story is one of perseverance and determination. Kate Sessions is a reminder to girls today, that their dreams are attainable.

Aiding in telling the story of Kate Sessions, are the vibrant green illustrations of Jill McElmurry which were rendered in gauche on 140 lb cold-pressed watercolor paper. These colourful panels give life to this story of a woman who in her own way made the city of San Diego a more vibrant and colourful place too!

Kate Sessions image: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/75383463/katherine-olivia-sessions/photo#view-photo=62217475

Book Details:

The Tree Lady by H.Josephine Hopkins
New York: Beach Lane Books      2013