December 29- January 5 - Wreaths and Greens

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As you enjoy a walk around the Campuses, you will see a good number of fresh holiday wreaths adorning the doorways of our residents' homes.  Many of these were made at Pathways Programs hosted earlier this month, while others were crafted by Debbie Lux and sold at the Craft Fair.  How wonderful that the greens for these wreaths came from the Arboretum--yet another benefit of living and working within an Arboretum.

Fran Webb and Debbie Lux at the 2013 Craft Fair

December 22-28 - Greenhouses

Another wonderful aspect of living and working in the Barton Arboretum and Nature Preserve is the easy access to our two Greenhouses.  One is located in the Nature Center and the other is located on the Ground Floor Haddon, right near the Thrift shop.  Under the care of the MLRA Greenhouse Committee, and Debbie Lux, residents store their prized plants in these locations to "winter over."  On a cold wintery dayl, you can enjoy a breath of spring and summer as the plants await their return to the outdoors.

link to Perry's Haddon Greenhouse Blog

December 15-21 - Hornet's Nest

This week, check out the Bald-faced Hornet nest in the tree in Parking Circle C on the Medford Campus.  Now that the leaves have dropped, the nest is easily visible.   When spring arrives, the Bald-faced Hornet queen collects wood fiber to make her nest. Some of the fiber can come from a house or fence. The gray paper nest, which houses the social colony, is suspended from a tree branch.  The nest in Parking Circle C is the size of a football.

As winter approaches, the wasps die, except the freshly fertilized queens. These hibernate underground, under logs or in hollow trees until spring. The nest is generally abandoned by winter, and will not be reused.

Webmaster's note: On the Barton Arboeretum's page about Tours there is a photo of a high school student holding up a nest which had fallen to the ground. http://bartonarboretum.org/ArboretumTours.htm

December 8-14 - Christmas Tree

As plans proceed for the Estaugh Redevelopment, an Oriental Spruce had to be taken down to make way for the Redevelopment improvements.  Staff have been hard at work to preserve the top of the tree as a special treat for us all to enjoy this Holiday Season.  The tree top has been secured in the area outside of the Colonial Dining Room and Garden Dining Rooms near the Gazebo. This location allows for folks to enjoy it from multiple locations including the Fitness Center, Studio, Pool, Holly Room and Linden Room.

Stay tuned for a special lighting of the tree as we approach the holiday season!

November 24-29 - American Winterberry

One of the wonders of the Fall season is the Ilex verticillata - the American Winterberry.

This shrub is prized as an ornamental plant with a splash of bright color from densely packed berries.   The bare branches covered in berries are also popular for cutting and use in floral arrangements.

You can enjoy this plant on both campuses--just look for the bright red berries!

November 17-23 - Pruning

One purpose of the Arboretum is to promote the love and knowledge of horticulture.  On November 6, as a component of our Pathways to Learning Program, Ken Hutz, arborist, provided a class entitled "Pruning in Your Home Garden."  This course was attended by 22 individuals, a blend of residents and members of the local community. Ken was able to share his skills in pruning with the group and use the Medford Campus as his "classroom".  We are so fortunate to have the ability to invite the local community in to the Arboretum to learn about good pruning techniques and to share knowledge on this topic.

November 10-16 Ginko biloba

Native to China and also called "maidenhair- tree," Ginkgo biloba is a slow-growing, deciduous tree that is often used as an urban street tree, since it has a tolerance to air pollution. The fan-shaped leaves have
turned a glorious golden yellow this past week.

You can enjoy a group of three of these trees at the intersection of Estaugh Way and Medford Leas Way, on the Medford Campus, as well, you can enjoy them along Main Street in the town of Lumberton.

November 3 - 9 Japanese Camelia Court 22

The arrival of fall does not mean the end of blooms on plants and shrubs. Check out the Japanese Camellia, Camellia japonica "Snow Flurry" in Court 22.  This flowering shrub, also known as the Rose of winter, is in bloom
now and will have blooms to enjoy for the next several weeks.  Though a native of China, it has found a very happy home here in the Barton Arboretum in Court 22.

October 26-November 2 Katzell Grove

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Improvements continue in the Katzell Grove.  Over the next week or so, an area along Estaugh Way will be cleared of vegetation, and a new grass seed--Reliant Fescue-will be planted.  This is a low grow variety of grass, that will grow to just about 8-10" in height.  This is a test to see how it grows, and if successful, additional areas of the Grove will be seeded with this variety.  The goal of this planting is to have a low maintenance, disease resistant, and drought tolerant ground cover that does not grow too tall and impede the view of the trees in the Grove.  Additionally, there are a number of trees that did not survive the summer, and will be replaced after we experience a hard frost.  Residents and staff are still enjoying the Grove on a regular basis--meandering along the paved pathway.  You are invited to take the time to experience the Grove—an especially lovely spot to visit as the sun is setting.

October 19-25 American Beauty Berry

f you remember, in July, it was suggested to take a look at the Callicarpa Americana—otherwise know as the American Beauty Berry.

This shrub is found as you enter the Community Building on the Medford Campus in the garden on the left hand side of the entry, as well as other areas in the Arboretum.

In July, the small pink flowers were in full bloom, and now have yielded clusters of distinctly colored purple berries. These berries will provide a wonderful source of foods for birds in the fall and into the winter season.

One of the joys of the Arboretum is the many changes that occur through the seasons.

October 

July

October 13-18 Renovated Court 9

​This week you can enjoy the newly renovated garden in Court 9.  The garden retains the original hardscaping and design, but now includes a number of hardy evergreen plantings for year round seasonal interest.  In particular you will enjoy the fragrance of lavender as you meander through the area.  Thanks to Debbie and Barbara for their work to bring this design to life, and thanks to the residents who live in Court 9 for their patience, as the details are finalized.

October 6-12 - Kousa and Christmas

Take a look this week at the Kousa Dogwood trees as they display their bright red, ball shaped fruit.  You will find these trees on both the Lumberton and Medford Campuses.  One resident described the fruit as resembling a display of bright red Christmas tree ornaments. 

September 29 - October 5 - Plen Aire

"But you know all pictures painted inside the studio will never be as good s those done outside...I see superb things, and I must resolve to paint outdoors"  Paul Cezanne-October 1866

The opportunities for engagement within the Arboretum appear to be endless.

Many activities involve residents and staff, while others involve the local community. 

On September 24, October 1 and 8, artist members of the Rancocas Plen Aire Painters, who enjoy painting landscapes on location, will be on our Medford Campus to paint various landscapes on their canvases.  You may see them on the campus with their easels and canvases--possibly you will be inspired to join the group!  For more information, please contact Jane Weston at ext. 3007.

September 22-28 - Fall Equinox

As we approach the first day of the Fall Season on Sunday, September 22, make sure to enjoy the last official days of summer.  The annuals are still in bloom, while the trees are beginning to show signs of a change in the color of the leaves. 

The following first day of fall poem seems appropriate to share.

It is the summer’s great last heat,

It is the fall’s first chill:  They meet.

by Sarah Morgan Bryan Platt

September 15-21 - Court Nine

In a continual plan to improve our Courtyard Gardens on the Medford Campus, we are just beginning improvements to Court 9. The current "quadrant" style design will stay in place, with new plantings to be installed to offer four season interest for the folks who live in the Court, as well as those who pass through on a regular basis. Debbie Lux has been hard at work transplanting existing plant material from the Court to other locations on the Campus, to make room for the new plantings.  Keep an eye on this Court over the next few weeks and you'll enjoy seeing this new area designed by interns from the Morris Arboretum unfold. 

The attached photo is a work in progress shot!

September 8 - 14 - Seven Son Flower Tree

Native to China, the Seven Son Flower Tree is just coming into bloom in Court 20 on the Medford Campus.  This tree thrives in either full sun or partial shade, and has found a lovely home in Court 20.   In addition, it has no serious disease or insect problems. This multi-stem tree grows 15-20 feet in height. Its fragrant white blooms appear in August, lasting for several weeks. These are replaced with pink calyxes and reddish-purple fruit that last through the fall.  You'll be sure to enjoy this end of summer bloom.

September 1 - 7 Meditation Garden

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Two weeks ago we suggested that you take a look at the Meditation Garden, located off of Parking Lot A/B on the Medford Campus, as work was in process for the renovation of this area.  This week, I invite you to take a look at the renewed Meditation Garden.  The curved pathway takes you into the Garden, which provides a lovely tranquil and meditative space.  Two benches are easily accessible, along with seating on the low stone wall.  Over the next few months, additional woodland plants will be added to fill in the Garden.

August 25-31 Katzell Grove

This week, take a special look at the Katzell Grove --another work in progress in the Arboretum on the Medford Campus.  This past week, the Grove plant material and grasses have been cut so that you can better view the trees in the Grove.  In addition, the areas around the trees are in the process of being cleaned up and re-mulched.  This Fall, we will test ground covers in the Grove area, along Estaugh Way, with the goal to find a ground cover that is low maintenance, drought tolerant and disease resistant.  Our ideal ground cover will not exceed 8-10" so that the trees can be highlighted in the Grove. Based upon the tests, we will then consider expanding the ground covers to other areas of the Campus.  Last, but not least, we are working to replace a few trees that did not fare the summer season.  We will evaluate the reasons that some trees did not live and work to find appropriate replacements to be planted later this fall.

August 18 - 24 Meditation Garden

This week take a look at another work in progress in the Arboretum.

Thanks to a donation from our residents, Herb and Maggie Heineman, the Meditation Garden, which is located just off of the A and B Parking Lots on the Medford Campus, is in the process of being renovated.  The design incorporates a low stone wall to identify the area, and will have benches for seating.  Native plants and trees will be the focus, along with a paved pathway to bring you into what will be a lovely peaceful garden. Take a look now to see the work in progress, and I'll keep you posted when the project is complete.  Thank you Maggie and Herb!

Lumberton Trails

Update Wednesday August 14.

Well last Saturday, August 10, I had no trouble walking the complete length of the Holly Trail.  Today it was impassable.     The bridge shown below (before and after grass pull)   is now tipped and the end shown in the photo is underwater.  It will need to be reset.   Also, the "branches that are too heavy for me to move"  are also in water day -- probably have been moved some, but not  off the trail.

 

 

After a summer when it was too hot to work, here's the situation on the trails. Willow Trail and Soggy Bottom downstream from Twin Bridges Trail are impassable. Forget about them.

On the usable trails, four trees need chain-saw attention.  But three of them are easy to step over so only one needs to be done prior to visitors.   There are a  bunch of branches down on the Holly Trail that need manpower to move away.    The other work is minimal, some grass to pull, branches to clip, and PI to spray.  Nothing major, I can handle it, but welcome help if others are available.  

Trails will be in good shape for fall Trail Walks for residents and visitors.



 

across Rancocas Trail

Across the Forrest Trail

Holly Trail - move this one before Trail Walks

Across the Holly Trail

Grass across trail

Grass pulled from Trail

Grass pulled from Trail

 

Grass across trail

 

These branches are too heavy for me to move
also there is a large hanging down to remove





It sure looks as if this trail has been maintained this
summer.  I was impressed that the bushes weren't across the trail

Here again there is evidence of trail work
branches to the side

In some places the ferns are starting to crowd the trail
I'm inclined to let this go until next year.

Pretty red flowers at the end of Rancocas Trail
But the butterfly left before I could get my camera.





Ailanthus

August 8.   These first two photos show some ailanthus that was successfully treated last year and new trees that have come up this year.  More photos in the weeks to come.



Lots of new Ailanthus that wasn't here last year.
This is behind the Naulty home.



The dead stalks are Ailanthus we killed last year
but there is a big one we missed.

Perimeter Path Fence

Pete McCord and John Speirs are the go-to guys when in comes to replacing fence rails and posts.   I'm committed to cutting vines away from the fence -- with priority on the vines that are getting in the way of the rails and posts that need to be replaced.



These two sections have been cleared of vines - ready for new rails



These two sections need  vine removal so the leaning post can be reset or replaced.

Mugwort in gardens near Lumberton meadow

The Lumberton meadow was mowed July 27.   There are gardens near the meadow with enough mugwort to reseed the entire meadow.  On August 8 I chopped down mugwort behind units #135 and #139.  I have no idea how it will be permanently removed, but at least the seeds won't reach the meadow this year.   I will survey the other gardens near the meadow and chop down mugwort which is high enough (more than waist high) that it looks as if it might go to seed.

Behind #135 AFTER mugwort was cut 3 dead bushes were seen.
I think they died because they were covered.

Behind #135 BEFORE mugwort was cut.



Side of #139 AFTER mugwort was cut.
Leaning stalk, not mugwort, in bloom was previously surrounded by mugwort.

Side of #139 BEFORE mugwort was cut
Leaning stalk in bloom, not mugwort, surrounded by mugwort.

Large bag with mugwort from #139 next to mugwort from #135

Couldn't drag the bag uphill to the street so I drug it downhill to the swale.
Phoned Medford leas to pick it up.
 

August 11-17 BoxTurtles

Not only are trees and plants a part of the Arboretum, but so are the animals who call the Barton Arboretum and Nature Preserve their home. 

As you wander through the Atrium on the Medford Campus, check out the Box Turtles. 

I've learned that the mating season for our friends, has just been completed, and that several of the females have laid eggs in the clear areas that Debbie has configured. 

In two-three months, we should see the new baby turtles as they hatch.

Keep an eye out for these new arrivals come the Fall Season.

August 4-10 Cup Plant

This week as you are out in the Arboretum, please take time to enjoy the Silphium perfoliatum, or cup plant, in the Medford Campus Main Parking Lot.

This native plant has a number of desirable qualities including: attracting hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, drought tolerance, and best of all, the stems are topped by large clusters of yellow flowers which will bloom through early October.  This plant is also known as the compass plant because of the arrangement of the leaves.  In addition, the cup-like shape of the leaves hold rain following a storm which the birds enjoy.

July 28 to August 3 Crepe Myrtle

The end of July brings about the blooming of the Crepe Myrtle trees in our Arboretum.

These trees, which are native to southeast Asia, feature colorful and long-lasting flowers in various shades of pink, and white.  The botanical name for the tree in the Atrium on the Medford Campus is Lagerstroemia Indica.

As you are enjoying watching the turtles cool off in the pond, take a minute this week to enjoy the lovely blooms on this tree.

July 21-27 Court 28

Good afternoon,

We are pleased that Court 28 on the Medford Campus has been completely refurbished featuring native grasses that are indigenous to our area.  The structured planting is known as a "cloister" design.

The plants were chosen for their drought tolerance, disease resistance, ease of maintenance and attractiveness to birds. As the plants become established we will all enjoy the plumes and blooms that the plants offer--even in the winter season.

We appreciate the residents who live in Court 28 for their patience as this Court has been redeveloped.

July 14-20 American Beauty Berry

This week be sure to enjoy the Callicarpa Americana — otherwise know as the American beauty berry.

This shrub is found as you enter the Community Building on the Medford Campus in the garden on the left hand side of the entry.   

The small pink flowers that you see, will yield clusters of distinctly colored berries in the late summer and early fall season.  The berries provide a wonderful source of foods for birds in the fall and into the winter season.

Ecolandscaping

http://www.ecolandscaping.org/

Bittersweet Control

July 7-13 -- MILKWEED

This week—a focus on Native Plants:  You may want to investigate the Asclepias, otherwise know as Milkweed.  This is a herbaceous perennial, which provides an important nectar source for bees and other nectar-seeking insects. 

In addition, Milkweed is the host plan for the Monarch butterfly, that we all enjoy, which means it is the only plant the female Monarch will lay its eggs on.   Having Milkweed on our Campuses helps the Monarchs tremendously.

On the Medford Campus, you can see Milkweed plants at the intersection of Medford Leas Way and Estaugh Way, and on the Lumberton Campus, these plants are found in the Meadow.

Orange Trail

Bill, Gil, and I walked around the Orange trail with clippers and loppers getting rid of the catbrier that was on or nearly on the trail.  Catbrier has done very well in the rainy spring.     The first photo is of Jewel Weed which I learned is a naturalist treatment for rash -- especially poison ivy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impatiens#Medicinal_uses_and_phytochemistry  uses the word "alleged" goes into some detail with reports of studies, pro and con.

On the Yellow Trail #  we saw a patch of ground pine (Lycopodium dendroideum). 

We saw  some of the "black stuff" which results from the fungi that grows on the "honeydew" of the beech blight aphid -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beech_blight_aphid -- We'll be watching for dancing aphids this fall.

A few yards upriver from the Spanish oak that fell across the creek during Hurricane Irene there was new fallen tree blocking the waterway.

CLICK HERE -- excellent photo of the fallen Spanish Oak -- right after Hurricane Irene

There are other Irene posts in August 2011

Jewel Weed

Dragon Fly

Ground Pine

The Spanish Oak that was taken down by Hurricane Irene is at the left -- the top half of that tree was removed so that canoes and kayaks can pass, but a branch extends down into the creek and holds therest of the trunk in place.  Center bottom is the horizontal  trunk of another fallen tree I'd not seen before. The foliage filling the right third of the picture is from a branch that sticks up vertically.   Are the leaves green because the tree is alive or because it recently fell?  In either case, the creek seems to be blocked.

June 30 to July 6 Court 11

COURT 11 - Korean Stewartia

As you are outside this week, please stop at court 11 on the Medford Campus and enjoy the Korean Stewartia which is just coming into the bloom.  The white flowers with yellow stamens offer a long period of bloom from the end of June into July.

Lots of buds-- Better photo in a few days.