Not Just Another Old Tree
By Mossy Oak's Jesse Raley
The author, Jess Raley, at Nativ Nurseries.
“The good that men do will live long after they are gone.” – Fox Haas.
When Todd Amenrud (Chief Editor of GameKeepers Magazine) asked me to write an “article” about planting trees I immediately began making a list of topics I wanted to write about. The list consisted of things like - acorn production rates among various oaks, benefits of soft mast producing trees for lactating does in the late summer/early fall season, various tree planting methods and a number of other fact based bits of information aimed at convincing you, the reader, to plant trees.
As I created an outline for the article I thought to myself how blessed I am to work at Mossy Oak in an environment that bleeds entrepreneurial spirit and encourages outward thinking. Shortly after, I had an epiphany. Why write about the technicalities of how or why to plant trees, when I could take a completely different angle on the subject? The question “why should folks plant trees” immediately popped into my head.
The obvious answer is trees are great for wildlife and the environment in general on numerous levels, but to me that answer was too obvious. I’m fortunate enough to be surrounded by some of the greatest land stewards alive. I’m immersed in a culture deeply passionate about family, critters, land, and creating the best opportunity to enjoy those things for up and coming generations. I’m actually employed at a company that supports something I too deeply enjoy, growing things, and encourages me to share that passion with others. Hopefully, like me, you will find that tree planting can be much more than a means to provide food or habitat for wildlife.
Mr. Fox Haas, Toxey, and his two boys Neill and Daniel at the Nativ Nurseries greenhouse.
Over time I have discovered that tree planting is a relationship builder. It helps connect you with everyone and everything involved. Getting to know both the land and those who help you along the planting process is a reward of its own kind. Time spent with loved ones planting trees is a surefire way to be remembered and some might even consider it their legacy, living proof that you are a true outdoorsman, an excellent steward of the land, and most of all, one who realizes the value of this precious resource we hunters sometimes take for granted.
The rest of this “article”… more of a story really… briefly describes how and why I have come to be so enthralled with planting trees. I’m writing this to inspire. Hopefully you will be motivated to improve your property- to go the extra mile creating a better quality outdoor experience for those you leave behind. Along the Gulf Coast, especially the Mississippi Gulf Coast, one can find some very interesting things…if you have ever visited, you know what I am talking about.
But one thing in particular, and this is something most tourists often remember, are the large majestic Live Oaks dotting the coastline. With huge swooping branches, trunks so big it takes four or more people holding hands to wrap around, and spotted with long strands of clumped gray moss, how could anyone not be amazed at what seems to be a prehistoric specimen. As a child I often wondered what these ancient trees had seen in their lifetime. Some of them date back to the 17 century which means those particular trees, witnessed numerous battles, somehow endured countless hurricanes, floods and severe storms, and still remained standing.
These trees were the first signs of life the earliest settlers saw as they approached the muddy shores of the Mississippi sound. I’m positive they provided a comfortable place to relax while watching the sunset over the still waters for many generations of Native Americans and other coast dwellers to date. I always wondered if some of those trees had been planted or were they all naturally occurring? I would like to think a mixture of both. If these magnificent trees were planted by someone many years ago, I wondered if they knew just how long that tree would stick around. Imagine planting a tree people would look at and use for the next four of five hundred years, what a way to leave your mark on this earth!
The author, Mossy Oak's Jesse Raley.
Why am I so infatuated with planting trees? Ever since I was a boy, I have been intrigued by growing things. Growing up, my Grandmother always kept a large collection of plants in her backyard. Perhaps that’s where I received my green thumb and my passion for watching things grow. When I was ten she and I planted some oaks I received from an Arbor Day event at school.
Little did I know, 20 years later planting those trees with her would become one of my fondest childhood memories. Fortunately, I can now help others create similar memories. I’m blessed with a job that allows me to not only grow and sell trees, but to educate and communicate to outdoorsmen how beneficial the right trees can be for wildlife habitat-and even better than that, what a tree can mean to future generations.
The way I see it, planting a tree can provide much more than a source of firewood, a few timbers, or a way to generate future income. It can represent something truly meaningful, and in its own way, provide more comfort than a fire, a house, or a few dollars ever could.
Photography by Jesse Raley. A Nativ Nurseries persimmon tree.
I didn’t go to college and become an arborist, a horticulturist, or a registered forester, nor did I get a degree in anything remotely close to science or biology of any kind. After receiving a D in freshman chemistry, business school seemed to be the best route for me. I had always been a good salesman, creative problem solving came easy for me and even though I enjoyed growing things, a degree in marketing seemed to be a better fit.
My sophomore year in college, a few friends and I came across a great deal on a rental house in the country. With it came with a 105 acre cut-over we were allowed to hunt, and as a bonus, the neighboring property (250 acres of hardwoods) owned by a elderly man allowed us to hunt in exchange for seafood my roommates and I brought up from the coast. At the time, I didn’t know much about hunting, but as I learned to “read the woods” from my roommates, it didn’t take me long to cultivate a passion for hunting. Before long, I was spending as much free time as possible in the woods.
One afternoon, a friend came over to hunt and mentioned a part time job opening at a recently opened nursery. The nursery was owned by Toxey Haas (Founder of Mossy Oak) who was looking to start a “new branch” (pun intended) of the Mossy Oak brand, Nativ Nurseries. I liked to grow things, I enjoyed hunting, and most of all I was a broke college kid so I submitted an application.
At Nativ Nurseries I found myself amongst some of the most peculiar yet knowledgeable people I have ever met. When it came to Oak Trees, creating better wildlife habitat, or anything at all to do with woodsmanship, these guys new everything. I was fortunate enough to spend almost every day for a few years either at the nursery growing trees or in the woods collecting seed with a true woodsman by the name of Tim Brooks, and the biggest “Tree Nerd” (Dudley Phelps) to ever live… to be called a “Tree Nerd” is a term of endearment around here, at Nativ Nurseies it’s actually quite an honorable title.
Dudley Phelps, resident "tree nerd."
Following these two around the woods every day I developed a keen eye for identifying different native plants, learning their preferred growing conditions, and more “in the field” knowledge than I could ever attempt to put into words. Both men are insanely passionate about forestry, wildlife, and especially planting trees. By default, I have also developed a relationship with Toxey Haas, and his father Mr. Fox.
After helping plant countless oak trees on Mr. Fox’s property for no other reason but to benefit wildlife habitat and create better hunting opportunities for his family and friends in the future, I have come to learn why he is such an enormous inspiration to many, not only in the small town of West Point, MS, but everyone in the outdoor industry. I believe Mr. Fox is the inspiration behind the Gamekeeper brand itself, he is a man who truly practices what he preaches and always leads by example. Put simply, he is a prime example of a Gamekeeper.
Toxey is a “Tree Nerd” in his own right, a modern day Johnny Appleseed if you will. Literally obsessed with trees, he started collecting acorns from a multitude of oaks he noticed to be “special” in his mind’s eye. Some may have had an odd looking leaf, some may have seemed to be preferred by wildlife over others, some acorns may have been drastically bigger or smaller than others, whatever the case may be – Toxey would collect, plant and grow these acorns into seedlings that would eventually find their way back onto a piece of property. Literally THOUSANDS of various potted oaks consumed the majority of his backyard and his personal greenhouse.
Toxey at Nativ Nurseries examining some of his "babies."
This passion for growing things and getting closer to nature paired with his vision to expand the Mossy Oak brand into more than camouflage birthed a new brand, Nativ Nurseries, dedicated to helping outdoorsmen find the rare, wildlife-friendly oak species typical landscape oriented nurseries didn’t carry. Talk about taking your hobby to the next level!
I could go on and on about how great each of the previously mentioned people have affected me in one way or another and that’s really what this story is all about. Each of them have not only inspired my passion for planting trees, but have taught me either directly or indirectly the importance of giving, teaching, dedication, and the true value of spending time with family and friends.
I hope to pass these values on to my children, grandchildren and so on. My point here is that planting trees is about more than just the act of planting trees, it’s the memories made that go along with it. When I return to the coast to visit family, my grandmother and I walk around the yard to see how the trees are doing, it’s “our thing” we do together, just me and her, something I will always remember .
When Dudley visits his family farm he looks forward to bringing his children to check on the trees he and his late father planted together over 20 years ago, it’s a way to remember his Dad and presents the opportunity for him to tell the children stories about their Grandfather. Mr. Fox, Toxey and the Haas family often share many stories of trees they have planted together, memories made doing so, and they enjoy embracing the fact that giving back more than you take through leaving the land in better shape than you found it, whether you are around to reap the rewards or not, is a feeling of gratification like no other.
Dudley Phelps and his two daughters planting trees at a Nativ Nurseries oak orchard.
This spring or fall, think about starting a new tradition with your loved ones. Planting trees is a great way to teach future generations of hunters and outdoorsman the importance of conservation, creating better wildlife habitat, and even better- it’s a way to leave something meaningful behind for family and friends to enjoy years after you are gone.
A note from Jesse Raley in 2022, now Mossy Oak's Executive Director of Marketing Operations:
I think I wrote this in 2014 right after my son Harmon was born. Your first child hits you in so many ways... pair that with being really into trees and woodsmanship... I was inspired to write down all my thoughts about all things related to what planting a tree represents.
Growth, nurturing a living thing, providing for future generations, a legacy you leave behind, memories created with people you care about. All things that get up in your feels after a life changing event. The cool thing is I still feel the exact same way.
Mossy Oak is the kind of place that naturally attracts people who have a genuine passion for not only hunting, but a lifestyle centered around all aspects of the outdoors and getting closer to nature. It's why I moved away from my hometown built a family here. What a great way live, what a great place to work.
Mr. Fox said it and the quote will forever be a part of who I am: "The good that men do lives long after they are gone".
