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.

June 23 to June 29 - Linden Trees

Over the next several weeks, visit Parking Lot A on the Medford Campus to enjoy the grouping of Silver Linden Trees. This particular tree is known for its clusters of creamy yellow, fragrant flowers, as well as the unique shading of the leaves which feature deep green on one side, with silvery undersides.