Everyone knows how to plant a tree, right? Wrong! Trees can provide economic, environmental, and social impacts as they mature; however, these impacts aren’t realized until around 17 years of growth. Learn about root structure and planting to ensure a tree is planted with the root flare at the right level. Proper planting leads to a healthy tree so that it can live until maturity and beyond.

Pam is a professor with The Ohio State University (OSU) and serves as the state Master Gardener Volunteer Program Director and Horticulture Educator for OSU Extension in Clark County.

Pam specializes in herbaceous ornamental plant trials and has been All-America Selections judge since 2012. She presents programs on annuals and perennials as well as other landscape topics locally, statewide, and nationally. Pam has also lectured internationally in seven countries. She is President of the Clark County Park District Commission, and a board member of the Hartman Rock Garden and The Abilities Connection, both in Ohio. She is Past-President of the Friends of the Ohio Governor’s Residence and Heritage Garden.

Pam is the co-author of an award-winning book, Garden-pedia, An A-to- Z Guide to Gardening Terms and writes a weekly gardening column for eight counties. She was awarded the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association Service Award and the National Association of County Agriculture Educators Ohio Distinguished Achievement Award and the Distinguished Service Award for the National Association of Agricultural Agents.

Pam was born and raised in Springfield and is married to Rick Bennett. They are the proud parents of Springfield’s first female police chief. They have three children and five grandchildren.