The majority of the trees in the botanical gardens grew from seed in the places where they currently stand. Seeds for those trees were introduced in mulch used to create the soil in the gardens and planted by squirrels and birds. Included in the gardens are bald cypress, dogwood, hickory, holly, maple, Southern and Sweetbay magnolias, pine, many varieties of oaks, river birch, sago palms, sweet gum, tulip poplar and walnut trees. The gardens also include a few Bradford pears and one gingko tree received as gifts.