Boston Flora

Tag: trees

  • Thursday, December 8, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Urban Forests: A Natural History of Trees and People in the American Cityscape

    Trees, nature’s largest and longest-lived creations, play an extraordinarily important role in our cityscapes. These living landmarks define space, cool the air, and connect us to nature and our past. Today, four out of five Americans live in or near cities, surrounded by millions of trees that make up urban forests. But most of us take them for granted and know little of their natural history or civic virtues.

    On Thursday, December 8 in the Hunnewell Building of the Arnold Arboretum, author and historian Jill Jonnes will speak about the history of the tree in American cities over the course of the past two centuries, delving into the presidents, plant explorers, visionaries, citizen activists, scientists, and nurserymen whose arboreal passions have shaped and ornamented the nation’s cities. The Arboretum is located at 125 Arborway in Jamaica Plain, and the cost of the lecture is $10, free if a member of the Arnold Arboretum, or a student. To register visit www.my.arboretum.harvard.edu.

  • Tuesday, October 4, 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm – From Seed to Tree

    Did you know that almost all of the plants in the Arnold Arboretum begin their lives in the Dana Greenhouses? Get a behind-the-scenes look of the greenhouse growing process, from seed to sprout to seedling to tree. Meet on Tuesday, October 4 at 1 pm at the Bonsai and Penjing Collection above the Leventritt Shrub & Vine Garden. Limited to 15 participants. Free, but registration required by emailing adulted@arnarb.harvard.edu. Image from www.pluslife.minuslife.net.

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  • Tuesdays, September 27, October 4, 18 & 25, and Saturdays, October 15 & 22 – Framework Trees of New England

    Forests are a dominant feature of the New England landscape. Join Karen Sebastian and the New England Wild Flower Society as we explore the history, changes in composition, and ecology of the New England forest from the Ice Age through European settlement. Learn to identify native New England trees, their habitats, and their communities. Explore the impact of natural and human disturbances on the forested landscape and learn to recognize stands of different ages. The course, which will generally meet at Garden in the Woods in Framingham, includes two weekend field trips to the Harvard Forest in Petersham and to the Arnold Arboretum. Tuesdays, September 27, October 4, 18, 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Saturday, October 15, 12-4 p.m.; Saturday, October 22, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. $246 for NEWFS members, $290 for nonmembers. Register on line at www.newfs.org. Image by Ben Kimball for the NH Natural Heritage Bureau from www.nhdfl.org.

  • Wednesday, April 27, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm – The Value of Trees in the Urban Landscape

    In celebration of Arbor Day, learn about the many environmental and economic benefits of trees in Tower Hill Botanic Garden’s interactive indoor and outdoor presentation, led by Ruth Seward of the Worcester Tree Initiative.  The class, free with admission to the garden, will be held Wednesday, April 27 beginning at 3 pm.  Pre-registration is requested at www.towerhillbg.org.

  • Friday, December 4, 6:45 pm – Red Needles in Green Haystacks: On the Trail of the Wild Paperbark Maple

    Dr. Michael S. Dosmann, Curator of Living Collections, Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, will address the New England Botanical Club on Friday, December 4 beginning at 6:45 in Haller Hall on the Harvard University campus.  His lecture, open to the public, will be on Red Needles in Green Haystacks: On the Trail of the Wild Paperbark Maple. Since its initial introduction from China to the West by Ernest Henry Wilson in 1901, the paperbark maple (Acer griseum) has become rather common in cultivation, particularly in gardens, arboreta, and other managed ornamental landscapes. And yet, this species’ status is anything but common in the wild in central and western China. As part of a collaborative conservation initiative, the Arnold Arboretum is surveying wild populations, and comparing these with lineages introduced from the wild to get a global perspective of genetic diversity in this species. Photo courtesy of Cornell University. For further info see: http://www.rhodora.org/meetings/upcomingmeetings.html.

  • Thursday, November 19, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Tree Care for Autumn

    Scott McPhee will give you the checklist to prepare your trees for the onset of winter, in this Massachusetts Horticultural Society lecture on Thursday, November 19, from 7 – 8:30 at Elm Bank, 900 Washington Street in Wellesley. He’ll show you how to troubleshoot common issues, and tell you when to call in the professionals. Lecture Fee: Mass Hort Members $10, Non-Members $15. Register online at http://www.masshort.org/eventdetail/221/422|427|430|433/tree-care-for-autumn?filter_reset=1. Image from www.mrtreeandlawnservice.com.

  • Tuesdays, October 6 – 27, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm, Saturday, October 17, 12:00 noon – 4:00 pm, and Saturday, October 24, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm – Framework Trees of New England

    Forests are a dominant feature of the New England landscape. Join instructor Karen Sebastian and the New England Wild Flower Society as we explore the history, changes in composition, and ecology of the New England forest from the Ice Age through European settlement. Learn to identify native New England trees, their habitats, and their communities. Explore the impact of natural and human disturbances on the forested landscape and learn to recognize stands of different ages. In addition to the four Tuesday sessions (October 6 – 27 from 6:30 – 8:30), two weekend field trips will be held off-site. $246 for NEWFS members, $290 for nonmembers. Register on line at http://www.newfs.org/learn/our-programs/framework-trees-of-new-england.

  • Saturdays, December 6 & December 13, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm – Introduction to Winter Tree Identification

    The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University will hold a two session class in the Hunnewell Building on December 6 and 13 from 9 – 12:30 with arborist Kyle Stephens, an Introduction to Winter Tree Identification. Learn the basic information necessary to identify deciduous trees during their dormant season. Looking at specific character combinations, you will determine the genus and species of several types of trees in the Boston area. Class begins indoors with a discussion of basic classification techniques and continues outside to the Arboretum grounds to examine a variety of trees. This class is recommended for the beginner-to-intermediate tree observer. Dress in layers for both classroom and outdoor learning. A hand lens may be helpful, but is not necessary.  $75 for Arboretum members, $100 for nonmembers.  Register online at https://my.arboretum.harvard.edu/Info.aspx?DayPlanner=62&DayPlannerDate=12/6/2014. (Kyle is in the tree below, photo courtesy of Arnold Arboretum.)

  • Thursday, November 6, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm – American Canopy: Trees, Forests, and the Making of a Nation

    Author, lawyer, Yale University doctoral candidate and historian Eric Rutkow digs deep into American history to show how trees were essential to the early years of the republic and indivisible from the country’s rise as both an empire and a civilization. He will share stories set in New England and beyond, in which trees—as symbols of liberty, community, and civilization—are perhaps the loudest silent figures in America’s complicated history. Early presidents, conservationists, politicians, and politics resurface alongside the trees and forests that supported independence and fueled this country’s westward expansion. Eric Rutkow’s book, American Canopy: Trees, Forests, and the Making of a Nation (Scribner, 2012), will be available for purchase and signing. The event takes place Thursday, November 6, from 7 – 8:30 in the Hunnewell Building of the Arnold Arboretum, and is $5 for Arboretum members, $10 for nonmembers. Register at https://my.arboretum.harvard.edu/Info.aspx?DayPlanner=1387&DayPlannerDate=11/6/2014.

  • From the Archives: A Letter to the Residents of Beacon Street

    The Garden Club of the Back Bay’s pruning of the historic linden trees continues.  Below is the text of a letter to the residents of Beacon Street from 1909 or 1910, the original of which is at the Boston Athenaeum.  In the following days we will share some follow-up correspondence on the matter of the Beacon Street trees.

    “To the Residents of Beacon Street:

    A year ago a committee of residents of Beacon Street met with delegates of the Metropolitan Improvement League and the Massachusetts Forestry Association to consider the planting of a row of trees on either side of Beacon Street between Arlington Street and Massachusetts Avenue.  A strong sentiment in favor of tree-planting had previously been shown by a house-to-house canvass by ladies of this committee.  As a result of this meeting, Mr. Arthur A. Shurtleff, a well-known landscape architect and tree expert, was requested to make a complete study of the situation and to present a full report.

    The undersigned committee recommend that Mr. Shurleff’s plan be adopted and the details of the undertaking be placed in his hands as architect.  To do this will cost approximately $12,000, or an average of $34 per house, there being 352 houses between Arlington Street and Massachusetts Avenue.

    It is desirable that the work of preparing the pits be done during the summer months, when most of the residents will be away and when the work can be done more cheaply. The planting should be done either in November or April, better in the latter month.  If the pits can be prepared this coming summer the planting can be done next November or April.  Otherwise a whole year will be lost.  It is therefore hoped that the necessary sum can be raised before June 1, 1910.

    Will you not contribute toward this well-considered, desirable, and permanent improvement of Beacon Street?

    Cheques may be made payable and sent to R.G. Wadsworth, 323 Beacon Street.  If enough money is not raised, the cheques will be returned.  The committee wish to point out that as all the 352 houses between Arlington Street and Massachusetts Avenue are not occupied by permanent residents, it is hoped that those who are especially interested in the plan will not limit their contributions to any arbitrary sum.  On the other hand, small contributions from any one interested will be very welcome.  Should more money than is necessary for the actual planting be obtained, this excess will be used for the future care of the trees.

    Mrs. Frederick T. Lord, Chairman

    Mrs. Harold J. Coolidge, Mrss. Charles W. Amory, Mrs. Elbridge G. Cutler, Miss Eloise L. Derby, Mrs. Paul Revere Frothingham, Miss Anna H. Niles, Mrs. R.G. Wadsworth, Miss Katherine C. Pierce, Mrs. T.J. Bowker, Hon. Eben S. Draper, Mr. Frank L. Higginson, Mr. Henry P. King, Mr. Charles A. Stone, Mr. Ralph B. Williams, and Dr. Richard G. Wadsworth, Committee of Beacon Street Residents

    Mr. Sylvester Baxter, Mr. Frederick Law Olmsted, and Mr. W.W. Churchill, Committee of Metropolitan Improvement League

    Mr. Irving T. Guild, Secretary of Massachusetts Forestry Association”

    Of course, we’re still raising money for the trees.  For those who are interested in contributing to the pruning project, click “Donate” on our website today.  The image below is of Beacon Street near Carlton Street in Brookline, looking west.

    http://lalh.org//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Fig006.jpg_520.jpg

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