Cheyenne in Laramie County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
If You Were A Tree
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 28, 2026
1. If You Were A Tree Marker
Imagine that you are a tree looking for a new home on the High Plains. You might come across this job posting:
STARTING IMMEDIATELY!
Trees wanted. Must be willing to grow on the High Plains. Skill in handling drought, a short growing season, extremely cold winters, and hurricane force winds a must. Should be able to to [sic] grow quickly and must be able to recover rapidly if damaged by hail. Accepting ALL applicants, regardless of country of origin. Main duties include sheltering homes and livestock from wind and searing sunlight, holding soil in place, and providing shelter for wildlife. Beauty in the way of nice foliage, flowers, or fruit are a plus.
Could You Survive?
Drought: Cheyenne gets about 16 inches of rain every year, but received less than six inches in 1964. There have been streaks as long as 56 days with no precipitation.
Growing Season: On average, Cheyenne is frost free between May 20 and September 20, but the temperature has dipped below 32°F in every month except July and August.
Temperature: The record low is -34°F; the record high is 100°F. The temperature in Cheyenne dropped
this page online
Winds: The average wind speed in Cheyenne is 13 mph. Wind speeds greater than 80 mph are not unusual.
Sunlight: Cheyenne is sunny 250 days of each year, on average. Because of the high elevation, the sun is as intense here as it is in desert cities further south, such as Las Vegas, NV.
Humidity: Relative humidity may be as low as 5%, and the high elevation means water evaporates more quickly.
If you were a tree, would you be able to survive here?
[Photo captions, clockwise from top right]
• Sudden drop in temperature causes upper branches of trees to die.
• Cheyenne averages more than 8 days with hail every year.
• [Photo of flower garden on] September 13 [lush growth]
• [Photo of flower garden on] September 14 [snow-covered]
Erected by City of Cheyenne.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical date for this entry is May 20, 1964.
Location. 41° 10.92′ N, 104° 53.813′ W. Marker is in Cheyenne, Wyoming, in Laramie County. It is at the intersection of Hildredth Road and Howard
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 28, 2026
2. If You Were A Tree Marker
To left of marker kiosk
Regionally, this marker is in the Laramie Basin. It is also in the American Mountain West, on the Great Plains, and specifically on the High Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Welcome to the High Plains Arboretum (here, next to this marker); USDA Explorers, Irrigation Ditches And Civilian Conservation Corps (here, next to this marker); Cheyenne Privet (within shouting distance of this marker); Kentucky Coffeetree (within shouting distance of this marker); Dwarf Russian Almond (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Apple Orchard (about 400 feet away); Apache Plume (about 400 feet away); Cheyenne Early Lilac (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cheyenne.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 2, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
