Hickman estate leaves $10,000 to Port of Whitman for trees

Port of Whitman County officials are going tree shopping thanks to a $10,000 endowment left by Lawrence Hickman, one of the agency’s founding members.

“Mr. Hickman left a legacy of trying to enhance the entire county, and the port district especially,” said Debbie Snell, port properties and development manager. “We’re very much appreciative of his thoughtfulness.”

Joe Poire, the port’s executive director, informed commissioners last month he had received a phone call from Mr. Hickman’s son, Larry, about the endowment.

Mr. Hickman, a long-time Colfax attorney who served the port, died Oct. 31, 2006.

The endowment was given to plant trees at the port’s industrial sites along the Snake River.

Port officials plan to consult an arborist to determine what varieties of trees would work best at the river sites, Snell said.

She added planting sites would also be studied to maximize water usage.

Plaques will be placed at each of the sites, said Snell, marking Hickman’s donation.

Larry Hickman, now a florist in Waller, Texas, told Poire his father preferred black walnut trees. Snell said they are looking into the ability of the species to thrive on the river.

Mr. Hickman was instrumental in advancing the movement to form the port district, and served as a port commissioner and as the agency’s attorney for more than 20 years.

He and wife Evelyn had four children, Larry, Ellen, Elaine and Loren.