Inspirational Quotes by James Chester Raulston (American Horticulturist)

James Chester Raulston (1940–96) was an American horticulturist who devoted his life to growing and distributing new plants. He served as a professor at North Carolina State University 1975–96 and helped create the 10-acre NC State University Arboretum, renamed the ‘JC Raulston Arboretum’ following his death.

Born in Oklahoma, Raulston attended Oklahoma State University, where he earned a degree in horticulture science. He later pursued a master’s in horticulture at the University of Maryland but interrupted his PhD studies to serve in the Vietnam War. At the U.S. Army Chemical Corps, Raulston tested herbicides known as “agents.” His experiences in the war deeply affected him, given the harmful impact of these chemicals on both human health and the environment.

After completing his PhD, Raulston taught at several universities before joining the horticulture department at NC State University in 1975. Raulston created an arboretum at NC State focused on exotic plants in the Southeast, emphasizing plant diversity. He embarked on numerous international trips to collect clippings for the arboretum. His publications include The Year in Trees: Superb Woody Plants for Four-Season Gardens (1995.)

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