Out and About in the Arboretum

Paperbark maple, Acer griseum, is especially attractive at this time of the year, as the leaves have dropped, and you can focus on the bark. The exfoliating bark is rather attractive as it peels into large curls which remain on the tree, rather than falling to the ground. When the sun hits the tree at just the right angle, there is a wonderful copper glow to enjoy.

Not all holly trees have red berries! Check out the Yellow-Fruited American Holly (Ilex opaca xanthocarpa). This native evergreen provides treats for the birds to enjoy and is a lovely addition to our collection.

As you enter the Lumberton Campus, a wonderful stand of Dawn Redwoods, Metasequoia glyptostroboides, greets all who enter. An ancient tree that knew the dinosaurs, Dawn Redwood is a deciduous conifer. It has a neat pyramidal shape, maturing into a rounded crown. The bright green, feathery leaves turn orange-brown or copper color in the fall.

As we move into November, you will want to take note of the Ginkgo biloba, Maidenhair tree. This upright tree often reaches 50 feet in height. The spectacular golden fall foliage starts early. This tree is especially fun to watch over the next weeks, because it tends to drop the leaves in one fell swoop once the temperatures get cooler.

A last hurrah of bloom in the fall garden may be found in Courtyard Garden 29 on the Medford Campus. This hardy perennial bears loose sprays of large, single soft-pink daisies, each with a yellow eye.

Cornus Florida is a native dogwood tree in our area. Not only does it give great blooms in the spring, but in the fall it generates beautifully colored red fruits. For some reason, the fruit is especially abundant this year.