Fall/Winter 2017-2018 news, classes & visitor guide

The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University

Dava Sobel, Author & Science Reporter

In the late nineteenth century, botany was the science generally deemed acceptable for a woman to pursue. At the Harvard College Observatory, however, women attracted international attention as they created a taxonomy for the stars and found a way to measure distances across space. Dava Sobel, author of The Glass Universe, Galileo’s Daughter, and Longitude, will speak about the women of the Observatory, their careers devoted to the heavens, and their passions encompassing plants and all things natural.

People, Plants, and Progress: Director’s Lecture Series

Lectures are free, take place in the Hunnewell Building, and are open to Arboretum members only (see more on membership on page 17 or at arboretum.harvard.edu/support/membership).

William (Ned) Friedman, PhD, Arnold Arboretum Director and Arnold Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University

What can the history of photosynthetic life tell us of the human condition? Are we an absolutely inevitable consequence of several billion years of evolution? Or, should we be awed by the sheer improbability of being? Professor Friedman will discuss how just a few tweaks to the evolutionary history of plants might ultimately have precluded human life from evolving on Earth—and whether such tweaks could occur upon replaying life’s tape.

MARCH 26, 7:00–8:15PM The Fingerprints of Sea Level Change in a Warming World

APRIL 30, 7:00–8:30PM When Darwin Met Thoreau

JANUARY 22, 7:00–8:30PM Replaying Life’s Tape Through the Lens of Plants

FEBRUARY 26, 7:00–8:30PM A Field for Women’s Work

Randall Fuller, Herman Melville Distinguished Professor of American Literature, University of Kansas

On January 1, 1860, Henry David Thoreau learned about a new work of science entitled On the Origin of Species. Within a month, he had begun to incorporate Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection into his understanding of nature. In this talk, explore Thoreau’s deep engagement with what remains one of the most important concepts of the nineteenth century.

Jerry X. Mitrovica, PhD, Frank B. Baird, Jr. Professor of Science, Harvard University

Sea level changes are a particularly dramatic consequence of global warming and estimates for sea level rise are routinely reported in the media. However, such estimates obscure the fact that observed sea level changes vary dramatically around the globe. Join us to learn the sources of this variability and focus on the unique patterns—or fingerprints—of sea level change that follow the melting of ice sheets and glaciers.

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Fall/Winter 2017-2018 1


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Silva is printed on recycled paper using soy-based inks.

From the Director

One hundred and thirty-five years ago, the people of Boston—and by extension, the world—received a remarkable and lasting

gift from Harvard University. Harvard gave away the land where it had established the Arnold Arboretum to the City of Boston, to preserve it as a public park in Olmsted’s Emerald Necklace. In the bargain, the University would continue to oversee all botanical, horticultural, research, and educational functions of the Arboretum for a term of one thousand years, with an option to renew for another millennium. While Harvard has shaped the Arboretum as a pioneering botanical institution with one of the finest and most important collections of temperate woody plants in the world over the past century, the landscape has remained free and open to all as an urban oasis for connecting with nature and finding peace and beauty in the heart of a city.

As a treasured public space, we recognize that engaging the public and orienting them to our landscape and collections remain an essential part of our identity. This summer we introduced a new and dynamic program to enhance our interaction with visitors—Arboretum Ambassadors. In this issue of Silva we profile our roaming Ambassadors, who now provide information and assistance to visitors on our grounds every day of the week—from offering help with wayfinding across our 281 acres to raising public awareness about our rules and guidelines for safety. As we continue to develop new and better ways to communicate with you in our landscape, we also endeavor to improve the amenities that make each visit special. On your next visit, take a break and enjoy the view from one of several new commemorative benches, individually crafted from the wood of felled Arboretum trees as a unique dedication opportunity for our supporters.

This fall and winter, I invite you to delve more deeply into the Arnold Arboretum and its incredible plant collections. Visit with friends and family, or come alone to commune with our plants, knowing that each and every moment spent in the Arnold Arboretum is unique and that our plants and landscape will enrich your life. Explore the Leventritt Garden or our diverse holdings of conifers from around the world at one of our popular Collections Up Close events, or observe the art of woodturning at a special exhibition and demonstration in October. Take a class to hone your knowledge of plants and their care, or attend one of the talks in our seventh annual Director’s Lecture Series. Treat yourself to some quality time among our trees as the seasons change—we hope to see many of our members on October 21 for leaf peeping at our very first fall-focused Members’ Tour Day. Thanks to our forebears, the Arnold Arboretum belongs to us all—and all are invited and welcome to explore. e

—William (Ned) Friedman, Director of the Arnold Arboretum and Arnold Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University

The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University 125 Arborway Boston, MA 02130-3500 617.384.5209 fax 617.524.1418

Adult Education: 617.384.5277 [email protected]

Field Studies for Children: 617.384.5239 [email protected]

Library: 617.522.1086 [email protected]

Membership: 617.384.5766 [email protected]

Visitor Services: 617.384.5209 [email protected]

Editor Jon Hetman

Layout Meghana Srinivasan

Cover Pseudolarix amabilis (59-89*H) by William (Ned) Friedman

2 Arnold Arboretum

From Seed to Tree and Back Again

The more than 15,000 trees, shrubs, and vines gracing the Arnold Arboretum landscape showcase the rich diversity

of woody plants in the temperate zone, but for all their differences our collected plants share at least one thing in common: they began their lives as propagules in the Arboretum’s greenhouses. As the new propagator at the Arnold Arboretum, I follow in the footsteps of plantsmen who built this remarkable collection from the ground up by careful investigation and thorough documentation—coaxing seeds of previously unknown taxa to germinate and grow. After nearly 150 years, this experimentation continues daily at the Dana Greenhouses and Nursery. It also finds new currency through the cross-institutional efforts of the Campaign for the Living Collections, which will funnel 400 taxa selected for acquisition through our production facilities.

While plants targeted for the Campaign derive from a variety of sources, most arrive as seeds from expeditions, as they have since the Arboretum’s founding. When Arboretum staff collect seeds from the wild, they must count, clean, and package them for shipment and routine inspection for pests and disease. When we

receive seeds at the Dana Greenhouses, our staff begins to work immediately—timing can be critical, as some seeds can be short-lived without proper protocols for care and storage. We assign a unique accession number to each seed lot,

and this number will forever identify this particular plant (or plants) at the Arboretum. Accuracy is fundamental because we use this number to collect and record data on the plant’s progress at every stage of propagation and production,

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Boosting Propagation at the Dana Greenhouses

including pre-treatments, germination, transplanting success, and survival in our shade-house and nurseries.

Plants have evolved a wide array of mechanisms to disperse their seeds, and these methods often guide how we process and treat them. Short-lived seeds may require immediate sowing; for others, the embryo inside a seed may require long periods of warm or cold temperatures to overcome dormancy. Many seeds can tolerate (or may require) being dried down, while others must remain moist after collection. Getting it right begins with the detailed written and digital records at our command, holding more than a century of institutional knowledge on our propagation successes as well as our failures. Novel species—those we have never attempted to grow or that lack guiding literature—may require multiple treatments across the seed lot to identify the right recipe for success. Of the plants targeted in the Campaign, roughly 150 have never been cultivated successfully in our landscape previously, presenting new and exciting challenges.

Each seed begins a new story on the day it is collected, and the staff at the Dana Greenhouses help shape and steward a living history.

Sean Halloran, Plant Propagator

Director of Operations Steve Schneider collects nuts of Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis) at 1,000 meters in Tbilisi National Park (aka Sagurmo Reserve) with Grigoli Otari Deisadze of the National Botanical Garden of Georgia. Photo by Andrew Gapinski.



From Seed to Tree and Back Again Thorough documentation of propagation experiments lays the groundwork for future trials of related species, and deepens the knowledge we share with horticulturists, plant scientists, and the public.

On expedition last fall in the Republic of Georgia, Director of Operations Steve Schneider and Manager of Horticulture Andrew Gapinski collected Fagus orientalis (Oriental beech) to preserve germplasm from populations never before collected by the Arboretum. Since F. orientalis has long been cultivated in the Arboretum’s collections (plant explorer Frank Meyer collected it in the Caucasus in 1910, as just one example), we referenced two previous seed lots that successfully produced seedlings and followed their example for cold stratification, the process of pretreatment required to overcome embryo dormancy. After three months in our cooler set at a chilly, but not freezing, 36-40 degrees F (2-4 degrees C), the seeds were sown in early February and the first seedlings began emerging less than 2 weeks later. These seedlings delighted us due to the striking ginkgo-like appearance of the cotyledons (or seed leaves) which emerge before the first true leaves. Seedlings transplanted from this expedition will continue in our production cycle until they are ready for either transplanting in our landscape or distributing to colleague institutions to expand preservation efforts for this population of Oriental beech.

Additional Campaign targets sourced by Steve and Andrew on this trip were a number of oaks including Quercus iberica (Georgian oak). Acorns can be tricky propagules—pests like acorn weevils may burrow into the hard outer tissues to lay their eggs and cannot be removed simply by cleaning. To protect our ecosystem from hidden invaders like these, USDA-APHIS inspectors may fumigate propagules of high-risk genera like oaks, and in this case there was a high probability that the seed had been destroyed by this treatment. Despite this, to our relief, we achieved remarkable germination of Quercus iberica, as well as Q. robur ssp. imeretina, a subspecies considered vulnerable to extinction.

While the Campaign seeks to acquire European and Asian taxa of cultural and ecological significance like these oaks, it also targets many North American natives. Our Living Collections Fellows, Robert Dowell and Jenna Zukswert, organized a collecting trip last fall to Southern Appalachia (see Silva Spring/Summer 2017) where they explored that region’s wonderful plant diversity. One prize they sought was Hypericum buckleyi, a rare St. John’s wort found only in high elevations of the Carolinas and Georgia. A colleague on the trip, Tom Clark of the Mount Holyoke Botanic Garden, led them to a population above 6,000 feet in Pisgah National Forest, below the summit of Sam Knob. At the Greenhouses, we achieved phenomenal germination for this low groundcover after three months of cold stratification. The seedlings we planted in our shade-house early this summer are thriving, and may eventually grace the Arboretum’s

“Rockery” on Valley Road—an environment comparable to the one where Robert and Jenna collected it.

Each seed begins a new story on the day it is collected, and the staff at the Dana Greenhouses help shape and steward a living history. The seedlings whose stories I have highlighted here will spend a minimum of three years in our care. Once they “graduate” from our nurseries, the best individuals will be planted in our living collections to be continuously documented, studied by scientists, and enjoyed by the visiting public. Their stories may be retold for centuries through the repropagation and sharing of our important lineages. The Arnold Arboretum continues a rich legacy of preserving our natural heritage while pushing the boundaries of horticulture—a humbling experience to be a part of every day. e

After arriving at the Arboretum and spending three months chilling in a cooler to overcome embryo dormancy, seeds of Oriental beech begin germinating in February at the Dana Greenhouses. The seedlings are currently maturing outdoors in the Arboretum nursery. Photo by Sean Halloran.

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Evolutionary history plays a role, too—certain groups of related species, like those in the rose family, leaf out earliest, while other groups, such as oaks, leaf out later.

We quickly discovered that the timing of leaf senescence (the process of leaf color change and leaf fall) is much more difficult to determine than leaf-out. A few species, such as chokeberries and honey locusts, consistently lose their leaves in late summer, while some privet and honeysuckle species regularly senesce in November and December. For most species, however, the timing of leaf senescence is inconsistent from year to year and garden to garden. So far, the timing of fruit ripening seems to vary in a fairly consistent matter: certain species, such as shadbushes and some honeysuckles, ripen in the early summer, and other species, such as hollies, ripen in late autumn.

Uncovering these patterns reveals a new richness of natural history at the Arboretum, and helps us understand how plant schedules will be affected by climate change. This fall, take time to observe the timing of leaf senescence among

different groups of plants. We invite you to contribute to our efforts to better understand plant life cycles by participating in the Tree Spotters program at the Arnold Arboretum, contributing to a citizen science program in your town, or by making Nature’s Notebook observations at your favorite place in nature. e

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Each year we witness the seasonal schedules of plants—when they flower, fruit, and unfurl and drop their leaves—in our gardens, parks, and wild areas. The

details of these schedules are vitally important to pollinators, herbivores, and frugivores, and to horticulturists, farmers, landscape architects, and ecologists. Even so, we know surprisingly little about the phenology (or life cycle schedules) of most plant species, and even less about how climate change is affecting them. With input from our colleagues in the botanical gardens community like the Arnold Arboretum, we have created an international network to help understand these schedules, how they vary among species, and how they are changing.

Our work is anchored at the Arnold Arboretum’s living collection, where the Primack Lab has been studying plant phenology for 15 years. In 2012, we teamed with scientists at botanical gardens in Beijing, Berlin, Munich, Ottawa, Chicago, and Washington, DC, and with Harvard Professor Charles Davis to monitor the dates that leaves emerge, leaves senesce, and fruits ripen for hundreds of woody plant species at these gardens (leaf-out for 1,600 species, leaf senescence for 1,360 species, and fruit ripening for 200 species).

We learned that the timing of leaf-out at the Arnold Arboretum varies by more than two months from species to species. Some honeysuckles and gooseberries leaf out in early April, whereas many rhododendrons and pines do so in early June. Strikingly, species leaf out in virtually the same sequence no matter the year or garden. Shrub leaves tend to appear before those of trees, and deciduous plants tend to leaf out before evergreens.

An International Network of TreesBotanical gardens from around the world investigate the timing of leaf-out, leaf senescence, and fruit ripeningRichard B. Primack and Amanda S. Gallinat, Boston University

Richard Primack amid fall foliage in the Maple Collection at the Arnold Arboretum (left, photo by A. Gallinat); Prunus sargentii (Sargent cherry) is among the earliest trees to leaf out at the Arnold Arboretum (above, photo by R. Primack).

Amanda Gallinat monitors fruit ripening times at the Arnold Arboretum. Photo by R. Primack.



The verdant, rolling landscape of the Arnold Arboretum invites wonder, and it can be

wonderfully diverting to lose oneself in the solitude of nature. Sometimes, though, a little help from the inside can prove handy when, let’s say, you need to find Poplar Gate (it welcomes visitors to the northeastern corner of Peters Hill) or would like to pay a visit to a dove tree (look for an outstanding example on Bussey Hill in the Explorers Garden). Public accommodation, accessibility, and comfort are essential to the Arboretum’s mission as an outdoor museum, and guide our efforts to engage the public as a free park open to all. This summer the Arboretum introduced a couple of new faces to provide an even more welcoming and informative environment for everyone who visits our landscape—the Arboretum Ambassadors.

Each year, approximately 300,000 people pass through our gates to visit the Arboretum, seeking a tranquil green space, a safe haven to walk with a friend or animal companion, or a chance to get close to nature. Though as you know, this place offers so much more than a walk in the park. We want more visitors to know that the Arboretum also hosts one of the most comprehensive and best-documented collection of woody trees, shrubs, and vines anywhere. Visitors think differently about the trees they encounter here when they find out that hundreds of scientists study them every year to expand what we know about the world around us. They also discover more ways to get involved when they learn that we bring thousands of Boston Public School students to the collections to learn about science, or that we track the seasonal life cycles of many of our plants to better understand climate change. Arboretum Ambassadors are helping us to spread the word.

So who are the Arboretum Ambassadors? You can’t miss them in their white shirts—emblazoned on the back with “Ambassador”—chatting with visitors, sharing a map, or making their way across the grounds on foot or by cart. Their mission? Extending the friendly assistance and helpful guidance provided by our Visitor Center staff across the breadth of our 281-acre landscape. Wayfinding can be a snap when you spy one of our map tables on the grounds or access our Arboretum Explorer map application on your cellphone. If you are unaware of these resources, an Ambassador can help. They can also lend a hand in preventing

tree-climbing, off-road biking, off-leash dogs, vandalism, and other potentially damaging or dangerous activities that might jeopardize the safety of our visitors and our collections. While the Arboretum’s security remains the responsibility of Boston’s Police, Park Rangers, and Animal Control, our Ambassadors represent a vital link between the public and these essential services. Most of all, our Ambassadors avail themselves to making your visit more special, memorable, and fulfilling, both for first-time visitors and neighbors who explore daily.

Whether lending a hand in finding a lost child to sharing the time and place of our next Tree MobTM or theme tour, Arboretum Ambassadors can enrich the way you experience and learn from this landscape. We want our Ambassadors to become an integral part of our community, sharing what makes the Arboretum unique and extraordinary while making it more accessible to learning and adventure. Say hello the next time you spot one of our Ambassadors on the job—they are present seven days a week, every day of the year, and ready to make your acquaintance. e

Arboretum Ambassadors

Arboretum Ambassadors offer friendly assistance to Arboretum visitors.

New friendly faces in the landscape ready to enhance your visitJon Hetman, Associate Director of External Relations and Communications

6 Arnold Arboretum

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Experiments in LearningNew Research Internship Program Cultivates Careers in ScienceJon Hetman, Associate Director of External Relations and Communications

I n the six years since the opening of our research center at Weld Hill, science instruction and investigation opportunities for students in the life sciences have

flourished at the Arnold Arboretum. Perhaps more than ever, the Arboretum plays a vital role in shaping the education and prospective careers of rising botanists, ecologists, and climate change scientists, aided by our expanded facilities for learning, accessible plant and herbarium collections, and state-of-the-art laboratories. This summer, the Arboretum began a new chapter in educating tomorrow’s scientists by welcoming eight exceptional undergraduates to take part in the DaRin Butz Foundation Research Internship Program—a new comprehensive training and mentoring experience in botanical and environmental research.

In 2013, the DaRin Butz Foundation initiated a five-year gift to establish a research internship in plant science at the Arnold Arboretum. While contributing to the educational goals of both the Arboretum and Harvard University, the internship also provided critical laboratory assistance to the ongoing studies of our scientists. Over the first three years of our partnership, the foundation’s annual gifts supported one to two students each year to assist with data collection and analysis for Arboretum investigations—particularly those focusing on climate change and the environment. This year, the Foundation increased its commitment to this effort, enabling the Arboretum to develop a full-fledged program for experiential learning.

“We are so fortunate,” said Arboretum Director William (Ned) Friedman, “that the DaRin Butz Foundation shares our confidence not only in the potential for science to address many of Earth’s ecological challenges, but in the incredible power of focused, one-on-one mentorship with professionals to launch exceptional talent in our field.”

Combining academic and practical training, the internship offers a rigorous, real-world experience. Arriving at the Arboretum in late May, the interns immediately began working and collaborating with their advisors to learn more about the labs they were joining and launch their projects for the summer. During ten short weeks, the interns developed an independent research project, collected and analyzed data, and presented their results. Under the guidance of Director of Research Facilitation Faye Rosin, they also participated in a number of coordinated activities to increase their familiarity with research methods and the practices of professional scientists. “We had a fantastic group of interns,” said Faye. “They jumped into the program with enthusiasm and very quickly became an important part of the Arboretum community.”

From seven universities including Harvard, the eight interns brought a diversity of experiences to the program, including a wide range of research experience (from none to much) and educational experience (freshman to graduating senior). Each week, the interns were encouraged

Intern Asa Peters, an undergraduate at Connecticut College, collects data on wine grape phenology in the research greenhouses at Weld Hill as part of his summer investigations in the laboratory of Professor Elizabeth Wolkovich. Photo by Catherine Chamberlain.



to share their unique viewpoint and learn from each other during weekly program activities. A journal club increased their exposure to primary scientific literature and encouraged discussion and debate, and guest speakers shared insights on their work to highlight potential career directions. Interns also sharpened their communication skills by writing a research proposal, giving an oral presentation mid-way through the experience, and taking part in a research symposium on the program’s final day. “I was constantly impressed with the exciting range of research projects developed by the students during such a limited time frame,” said teaching assistant Danny Schissler.

Like the Isabella Welles Hunnewell Internship Program in horticulture at the Arboretum, the experience creates a strong foundation for individuals to prepare for their future—in this case, the increasingly complex and interdisciplinary fields of climate change research, ecology, and plant biology. Importantly, the program represents a potent new channel for the Arnold Arboretum to advance its mission-related goals in both research and education. By developing and mentoring tomorrow’s practitioners and leaders in investigative science, the Arboretum continues to make strides in helping society discover solutions to critical challenges facing our planet. e

Experiments in Learning

2017 DaRin Butz Foundation Research Interns at the Arnold Arboretum: (from left) Juliet Bramante (Harvard University), Asa Peters (Connecticut College), Sruti Pandey (Boston University), Ashley Bang (Brown University), Jack Smith (Harvard University), Vivien Chen (Boston University), Jessica Leslie (UMass-Amherst), and Emily Rosa (Sonoma State University). Photo by Stephen Hill.

Intern Ashley Bang of Brown University measured soil respiration on the campus of Boston University as part of her summer research project in urban ecology with the Templer and Hutyra labs. Photo courtesy of Pamela Templer and Lucy Hutyra.

8 Arnold Arboretum

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A s famed American naturalist and pioneering conservationist John Muir wrote, “In every walk with nature one receives more

than he seeks.” Visiting the Arnold Arboretum and communing with its trees can refresh the mind, recharge the spirit, and inspire both curiosity and reflection. Often one of the most wonderful and rewarding things to do here is to pause for a spell and allow the beauty of nature to delight the senses. Since last fall, Arboretum visitors walking along Meadow Road may have noticed two new, natural-finish wood benches providing an attractive and inviting place to rest beneath the trees and enjoy nature’s (and Olmsted’s) handiwork. These installations represent the first donations in the Arboretum’s new commemorative bench program, which aims to improve this most basic of visitor amenities through philanthropy.

Traditional slat benches—painted dark green and typically set on concrete supports—have dotted the Arboretum landscape for decades, originally installed by the Boston Parks Department as part of the City of Boston’s responsibilities in making the Arboretum accessible to the public. Devising a new, donor-driven approach to funding benches in our landscape only became possible last year through a mutually agreed adjustment to our 1000-year lease agreement. Through this change, the Arboretum assumes full control over the placement, installation, and maintenance of some 70 benches, most on main Arboretum roads and secondary paths. The arrangement gives our horticulture managers full control over how benches impact collections and landscape maintenance, affect or leverage view sheds, and contribute to a positive visitor experience. As a donor opportunity, it also provides an important new income stream for the Arboretum, which operates exclusively by public support.

Arboretum horticulture staff, with particular inspiration and effort contributed by Gardener Nima Samimi, devised the striking, naturalistic character and design of the new benches. A defining aspect of Nima’s original concept is the use of unpainted wood from

Jon Hetman, Associate Director of External Relations and Communications

Commemorative Bench Program creates new platform for philanthropy

Dedicated to Tranquility

Arboretum trees for the bench backs and seats. Felled by disease, old age, or extreme weather, the trees are cut, cured, and milled into thick planks. With rough edges retained for a more natural appearance, the wood is sealed and protected from the elements by layers of clear varnish. Appropriate to an arboretum, this finish reveals the underlying anatomy and biology of the tree and lends an appearance corresponding to the Arboretum’s environment. Since all Arboretum plants remain vital as scientific specimens even after their demise, the use of their wood for benches creates another chapter in their compounding history as an Arboretum plant. To underscore this connection, the Arboretum affixes an accession tag from the original tree to each bench, along with a dedication plaque for donor commemoration.


Fall/Winter 2017 9

Remembering Henry Hixon Meyer, Jr. (1921-2017)

On June 26, 2017, the Arnold Arboretum lost a longtime

friend, advocate, and benefactor with the passing of Henry Hixon Meyer Jr. at his home in Rhode Island at age 96. A member of the Harvard University Class of 1944, graduate of Harvard Business School, and a Second Lieutenant in the Allied Army in World War II, Henry worked for nearly five decades in Boston’s financial community. He and his wife, Edith "Nod" Knight Meyer, first got involved at the Arboretum in the 1970s as members and through Nod’s participation as an Arboretum Associate, Dana Greenhouses volunteer, and plant information expert. After Henry retired in the 1990s, they moved away from Boston but remained active with the Arboretum—Nod as a member of the Arnold Arboretum Visiting Committee for Harvard and Henry as a member of the Director’s Advisory Committee. In 1995, Henry and Nod made a transformational gift to establish an endowment in support of elementary school programs at the Arboretum—the Nature Study Fund for City Children.

Since that time, tens of thousands of students from Boston Public Schools have participated in guided spring and fall explorations of plants and ecology in our landscape. Henry remained deeply involved with the programs for the rest of his life, consulting regularly with Arboretum directors and educators and—as a prodigious correspondent—writing letters to decision-makers and philanthropists to raise awareness and support for our work in children’s education. In recent years, he

helped raise funds to renovate the Dana Greenhouses as a memorial to Nod, and provided significant annual funding to establish special training and outreach opportunities in our landscape for public school teachers. A larger-than-life figure committed to improving outcomes in disadvantaged communities, Henry Meyer created an indelible legacy in sharing the beauty and wonders of the natural world with the schoolchildren of Boston and beyond.

To make a contribution to the Nature Study Fund for City Children, please contact Janetta Stringfellow at 617.384.5043 or [email protected].

Funding a commemorative bench at the Arnold Arboretum offers members of our community a thoughtful and distinctive way to recognize a special person or occasion. Available for placement in numerous locations throughout our 281 acres, the benches provide respite to visitors and command remarkable views of the landscape year-round. Over time, we aspire to replace all existing slat-style benches in our landscape with this new design, all procured through donor support and crafted from trees that served science as a part of our collections.

Importantly, the donations received through the Commemorative Bench Program contribute directly to the care and expansion of our renowned living collections—giving our old trees new agency in helping grow the Arboretum of tomorrow. e

For additional information about donating a commemorative bench at the Arnold Arboretum, please visit the Arboretum website or contact Jon Hetman, Associate Director of External Relations and Communications, at [email protected] or 617.384.5763.

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SEPTEMBER

Plant Combinations for Beneficial Home LandscapesWednesday, September 27, 4:00–6:00pm [HB]Jen Kettell, Horticultural Educator and Certified Arborist

Is your garden and yard as beautiful and beneficial as possible? Are you interested in adding some pizazz for pollinators as well as for yourself? If so, then join this creative walk through the Leventritt Shrub and Vine garden with horticulturist Jen Kettell to consider different combinations of plants that will provide forage for bees, snacks for wildlife and humans, nesting habitat, and seasonal allure.

Fee: $25 member; $30 nonmember

OCTOBER

Natural Defense: Enlisting Bugs and Germs to Protect Our Food and HealthWednesday, October 4, 7:00–8:15 pm [HB]Emily Monosson, PhD, Environmental Toxicologist & Writer

We rarely consider human and agricultural health together, but both are based on the same ecology, and both are being threatened by organisms that have evolved to resist our antibiotics and pesticides. Fortunately, scientists are finding new solutions that work with, rather than against, nature. Emily Monosson will speak about some of science’s most innovative strategies and the growing understanding of how to employ ecology for our own protection.

Fee: Free member/student; $5 nonmember George Bucknam Dorr: Creator of Acadia National Park

Sunday, October 8, 2:00–3:30pm [HB]Ronald H. Epp, Historian

George Bucknam Dorr was known as the “Father of Acadia,” and the roots of his land conservation achievements are deeply embedded on the Jamaica Pond shoreline where he was born in 1853. Throughout Dorr's life, Jamaica Plain notables kept him tethered to the place where he spent the

classes

Learn at the Arboretum

[HB] Hunnewell Building [DG] Dana Greenhouses

CONTACTPamela Thompson, Manager of Adult Education 617.384.5277 | [email protected]

Introduction to Botany

8 Tuesdays: September 19–November 14, 6:30–8:30pm [Harvard University Herbarium]

Chainsaw Use and Safety

Saturday, September 23, 9:00am–3:00pm [HB Garage]

Nature Photography Workshop

Saturday, October 28, 9:00am–12:30pm [HB](Rain Date: 10/29)

Growing Woody Plants from Hardwood Cuttings

Saturday, December 2, 9:00am-12:30pm [DG]

Spring Bulb Forcing

Saturday, January 13, 1:00-3:00pm [DG]

Pruning in Winter

Saturday, January 27, 9:00am–noon [HB]

Garden Design Workshop for Home Gardeners

5 Wednesdays: February 7-March 14, 6:30-8:30pm [HB]

Grafting Woody Plants

Saturday, February 24, 9:00am–12:30pm [DG]

Pruning Shrubs

Saturday, March 3, 10:00am–12:00pm [HB]

Full details at my.arboretum.harvard.edu

Hands-on Classes & Workshops

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first decade of his life. Ronald Epp, author of Creating Acadia National Park: The Biography of George Bucknam Dorr, a researcher of conservation philanthropy, will discuss Dorr’s early life and influences that led him to Acadia.

Fee: Free, registration requestedOffered with the Jamaica Plain Historical Society

This Ever New Self: Thoreau and His JournalWednesday, October 11, 7:00–8:30 pm [HB] David F. Wood, Curator, Concord Museum, Concord, Massachusetts

Henry David Thoreau kept one of the most faithful, thoughtful, and provocative journals in American history. An essential tool for mindful living, his journal was also grist for one of the world’s most influential books—Walden, or Life in the Woods. David Wood, curator of This Ever New Self: Thoreau and his Journal, will discuss how the first major exhibition devoted to the life of one of America's most influential citizens will bring contemporary audiences face to face with a man whose ideas continue to impact our modern world.

This Ever New Self, a joint exhibition with The Morgan Library and Museum in New York, will be on view at the Concord Museum from September 29, 2017 through January 21, 2018.

Fee: Free, registration requested Offered with JP Reads

On the Wing: Part 2

Wednesday, October 18, 6:30–7:30pm [HB]Lorna Gibson, PhD, Matoula S. Salapatas Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

What do you get from a bird-lover who is a materials engineer? A close look at feathers. In this second installment of On the Wing, Lorna Gibson discusses how down keeps a bird warm, how the structure of the feather shaft reduces its weight, and how adaptations of flight feathers produce or suppress sound.

Fee: Free, registration requested

See all classes and register at my.arboretum.harvard.edu

Four renowned speakers discuss today's most pressing conversations—from Earth’s biodiversity and evolutionary history, to conservation biology, to key social issues associated with current science.

See inside front cover for details.

Open to Arboretum members only. See page 17 for information on joining and benefits.

Director’s Lecture Series

Be as a Tree Planted by the WatersTHE MAGIC OF ROOTS, LEAVES, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEENMonday, October 23, 7:00–8:30pm [HB]

Hope Jahren, PhDCenter for Earth Evolution and Dynamics, University of Oslo

Trees are the oldest, biggest, and most successful creatures in the world. Using energy from the sun and carbon from the air, they have thrived on land for more than four hundred million years. Hear about the amazing and unique methods that plants around us use to establish, grow, flourish, and defend themselves. Learn how plants are much more than food, medicine, and wood—they form the living, striving foundation of Earth. Hope Jahren is the author of Lab Girl, her revelatory treatise on plant life and a celebration of the lifelong curiosity, humility, and passion that drive every scientist.

Fee: Free member; $20 nonmemberMember-only registration through October 15;open registration thereafter. Space is limited.

WINTER/SPRING 2018

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NOVEMBER

Tooning in to ConservationThursday, November 2, 7:00–8:30pm [HB]Rosemary Mosco, Science Communicator and Naturalist

Science and conservation are serious endeavors. But sometimes you just need a laugh. Rosemary Mosco, a nature cartoonist and science communicator with a keen wit, will share some of her science-based comics, sure to make you guffaw. She’ll talk about how you can use art and writing to support conservation and speak about her process of developing a cartoon, from concept through research and wordsmithing, to sketch-up and final design.

Fee: Free member/student; $10 nonmember

The Boatman: Thoreau on the Water

Friday, November 17, 7:00–8:30pm [HB]Robert Thorson, PhD, Professor of Geology, University of Connecticut, and Columnist, Hartford Courant

As a backyard naturalist and river enthusiast, Henry David Thoreau was keenly aware of the ways humans had altered the waterways and meadows of his beloved Concord River Valley. In The Boatman, Robert Thorson shares a compelling story of intellectual growth and scientific understanding, as Thoreau moved from anger, to lament, to acceptance of the way humans had changed the river he cherished more than Walden Pond.

Fee: Free, registration required. Offered with JP Reads DECEMBER

Of Monarchs and Milkweed: A Story of Coevolution, Cultural History & Conservation

Monday, December 4, 7:00–8:30pm [HB]Anurag Agrawal, PhD, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University

What if your host truly didn’t want you to visit? You’d expect to be kicked out, but that isn’t the case with

classes

monarch butterflies and their host, the common milkweed. Evolutionary biologist Anurag Agrawal from Cornell University will speak about the history of monarchs and milkweed, milkweed toxins’ cultural significance, and the current predicament of monarch species in decline. Dr. Agrawal is an award-winning scientist and educator who has delved deeply into the coevolution of plants and animals. His book, Monarchs and Milkweed, will be available for purchase and signing.

Fee: Free member/student; $10 nonmember

JANUARY

Landscape for Life

4 Thursdays: January 11–February 1, 1:00–4:00pm [HB]Mark Richardson, Botanic Garden Director, New England Wild Flower Society

This intensive course will provide you with the knowledge, skills, and understanding to create a great-looking garden that is healthier for you and the environment. This comprehensive curriculum is based on the principles of the Sustainable Sites Initiative, the nation’s first rating system for sustainable landscapes.

Fee: $185 member; $218 nonmemberOffered with the New England Wildflower Society

The Ant and the Grasshopper by Rosemary Mosco



FEBRUARY

Bark: A Multi-Sensory Experience of Trees

Saturday, February 10, 9:00am–1:00pm [HB]Michael Wojtech, Naturalist, Author, and Educator

Join Michael Wojtech and explore the wonderful variety of bark textures, shapes, and colors, which are visible no matter the season. Learn how to identify tree species by their bark, uncover why such a variety of bark characteristics exists, and deepen your intimacy with trees. Class will begin indoors and then move out to explore the trees of the Arnold Arboretum.

Fee: $60 member, $75 nonmember

MARCH

Arboretum Wespelaar: A Contemporary Arboretum

Monday, March 5, 7:00–8:30pm [HB]Philipe de Spoelberch, Dendrologist and Plantsman

See details, right

No Sex? No Problem! Asexual Propagation of PlantsMonday, March 12, 7:00–8:00pm [HB]Sean Halloran, Plant Propagator, Arnold Arboretum

Many plants, unlike humans, can reproduce asexually. Some do so easily, while others need assistance or special circumstances. Sean Halloran will speak about the biology and physiology of asexual reproduction in plants and the techniques used to produce plants of various genera.

Fee: $10 member; $15 nonmember

Lecture & Workshop with Robin Wall KimmererMarch 23 & 24 (details to come)Robin Wall Kimmerer, Distinguishevd Teaching Professor of Environmental Biology; Founder & Director of Center for Native Peoples and the Environment, State University of New York

Drawing on her life as an indigenous scientist, a mother, and a woman, Robin Wall Kimmerer shows how other living

beings offer us gifts and lessons, even if we’ve forgotten how to hear their voices. She circles toward a central argument: that the awakening of a wider ecological consciousness requires the acknowledgment and celebration of our reciprocal relationship with the rest of the living world. Kimmerer is the author of Braiding Sweetgrass and Gathering Moss.

APRIL

Ecology of SpringSaturday, April 7, 11:00am–1:00pm [HB] Bryan Connolly, PhD, Department of Biology, Framingham State University

As soils, air, and water temperatures warm, wondrous developments take place in the landscape. In this season of mud, life previously dormant emerges, hatches, expands. Biologist Bryan Connolly will speak about natural developments and interconnections taking place at this time of year in New England and then will lead a walk of discovery through various environments found at the Arnold Arboretum.

Fee: $10 member, $20 nonmember

Arboretum Wespelaar

Thirty-one years after Philippe de Spoelberch started a plant collection at Herkenrode Castle in Belgium, his efforts blossomed into Arboretum Wespelaar, an extraordinary resource for the public. Comprising more than 15,000 woody plants, the Wespelaar Arboretum’s mission is similar to that of the Arnold Arboretum: to contribute to the study of woody plants from temperate climates and to conserve rare and endangered species. On this special evening, Philippe will speak about the decades-long creation of this magnificent living collection, describe his own development as a plantsman, and share images of the prized collections.

Fee: Free, but registration requested

A CONTEMPORARY ARBORETUM

Philippe de SpoelberchDendrologist & PlantsmanMONDAY, MARCH 5, 7:00–8:30PM [HB]

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visit

HUNNEWELL BUILDING

Open for restroom access and business guests on weekdays 9:00am to 5:00pm and on weekends 10:00am to 5:00pm.

VISITOR CENTER

Open 10:00am to 5:00pm; closed Wednesdays and holidays.

HORTICULTURAL LIBRARY

Open Monday through Friday, 10:00am–3:45pm. For information, visit the library pages on our website, email [email protected], or call 617.522.1086.

VISITOR PARKING & DRIVING PERMITS

Street parking is available along the Arboretum’s perimeter. Individuals with special needs may request a driving permit at the Visitor Center, weekdays only (closed Wednesdays), from 10:30am to 3:00pm. Please call 617.384.5209.

PLANT INFORMATION HOTLINE

Run by knowledgeable volunteers, the hotline is available for questions about woody plants hardy in the Boston area. Leave a message any time. Email [email protected] or call 617.384.5235.

THE CONIFER COLLECTIONSunday, February 4, 1:00-3:00pm

This expansive collection occupies 24 acres and is arranged to facilitate the study of cone-bearing plants. Come out and brave the elements to learn about the many kinds of conifers at the Arboretum while a family activity and hot chocolate help keep everyone warm.

Visit, Explore, Discover

Hours and Services

Collections Up Close

THE LEVENTRITT GARDENSunday, October 29, 1:00–3:00pm

Filled with showy foliage, late season flowers, and colorful fruit, this three-acre, terraced garden is spectacular in the fall. The garden showcases outstanding species and cultivars for the home garden, as well as wild-collected accessions and plants critical to the ongoing scientific research at the Arboretum. Join Arboretum staff and volunteers at this free event and learn about Arboretum plant introductions, plants of significant conservation status, and other amazing specimens in the Leventritt Shrub and Vine Garden.

Free events focused around one of the Arboretum's plant collections—a great way to learn more and hear from staff experts




TURNING WOOD: THE ART OF THE WOODTURNER III

October 13–15

Select work on display in the Hunnewell Visitor Center September 27–November 26

Opening Reception: October 13, 5:00-7:00pm

In this unique joint exhibition by the Association of Revolutionary Turners, Central New England Woodturners, and Massachusetts South Shore Woodturners, see woodturning demonstrations and an amazing variety of sculptural, functional, and creative work. View pieces in maple, cherry, and other wood from far and near (some turned from former Arboretum trees), and get a look at the personality within the wood itself.

REVERBERATIONS: A VIRTUAL TOURPHOTOGRAPHS BY KIPPY GOLDFARB

October 20, 2017–February 4, 2018

Reception with the Artist: October 21, 1:00–3:00pm

Kippy Goldfarb has been photographing trees and flowers since 1983. Combining, multiplying, and mirroring images, she brings us new and beautiful patterns, “reverberations” of color and form. Sense the power and inspiration behind these new images in this exhibition of Goldfarb’s photographs. Goldfarb's work has been featured in numerous exhibitions including a juried group show at the Arboretum in 2015.

Art Exhibitions in the Hunnewell Building

CLOSE AND CLOSER: PHOTOGRAPHS BY JAMES REIS

February 9–May 6

Reception with the Artist: February 10, 1:00–3:00pm (snow date: February 17)

Walk and Talk with the Artist: April 30, 2:00–3:00pm

Join James Reis on his photographic journey through enchanting microenvironments in the Arboretum in this new exhibition. A Jamaica Plain resident, James Reis and his wife Jeanne spend many weekend hours roaming the 281 acres of the Arboretum that whisper, sparkle, and fascinate amid the surrounding Boston neighborhoods.

From top: Turned Bowl by Steve Wiseman; Arboretum Peace by Kippy Goldfarb; Magnolia Fruit by James Reis

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visit

FALL BIRD WALKS

Saturday, September 30 [Arborway Gate] and Saturday, October 14 [Peters Hill Gate], 8:00–9:30amBob Mayer, Arboretum Docent

AUTUMN ON PETERS HILL

Sunday, October 15, 11:00am–12:30pm [Peters Hill Gate]Kevin Schofield, Arboretum Docent

A HIDDEN TREASURE: HERBARIUM OF CULTIVATED PLANTS

Thursday, October 19, 2:30–4:00pm Irina Kadis, Curatorial Assistant, Arnold Arboretum

FALL INTO HEALTH

Two Sundays: October 22 and November 19, 10:30am–noon Rhoda Kubrick, Arboretum Docent

FROM SEED TO TREE

Two Saturdays: September 2 and October 7, 11:30am–12:15pm[Bonsai/Penjing Pavilion]Dana Greenhouses’ Staff

BONSAI/PENJING PAVILION OPEN HOUSE

Access the pavilion with volunteers on hand to answer questions about this unique collection of dwarfed plants. Thursdays and Sundays—see website calendar for specific dates.

Guided Landscape ToursEnjoy the Arboretum landscape and learn about plants on free tours led by Arboretum staff or knowledgable docents. Tours are available from September 7–October 31, 2017 on Mondays & Thursdays at 10:30am, and through November 5, 2017 on Saturdays at 10:30am & Sundays at 1:00pm.

Tours are approximately 90 minutes, geared toward adults, and free of charge. Free guided tours are for individuals and not organized groups, however private group tours are available for a fee upon request. For more information see arboretum.harvard.edu or call 617.384.5209.

Theme ToursGet a look into a special focus or area of the Arnold Arboretum. Meet at the Hunnewell Building unless otherwise specified. Theme tours are geared toward adults, free, and registration requested is requested at my.arboretum.harvard.edu.

FRUITS AND SEEDS

Sunday, November 26, 10:30-11:30amVisitor Engagement Staff

For Families with ChildrenFree guided walks for families highlight plants and natural phenomena and help children develop observational skills. One adult can bring a maximum of three children; suitable for children ages four through eight. Meet at Hunnewell Visitor Center.

SEED DISPERSAL

Sunday, October 22, 10:30-11:30amNancy Sableski, Manager of Children’s EducationFriendly volunteers in green aprons

will be stationed in the landscape on weekends in September & October from 1:00–3:00pm, ready to boost your visit with fun and learning.

Look For Arboretum Interpreters!

LET’S GET JOURNALING: A WALK FOR BUDDING NATURALISTS

Sunday, September 24, 10:30-11:30amKate Stonefoot & Ana Eder-Mulhane, Visitor Engagement Staff


We rely on the generous financial support from our members and donors. We are grateful for your participation, which helps to steward the well-being and care of our magnificent landscape and living collections and sustains our programs in science, horticulture, and education. There are numerous opportunities for learning and fun through your membership benefits and our array of public program offerings. Visit our website arboretum.harvard.edu to learn more and view the calendar of activities. For membership questions, please contact 617-384-5766 or [email protected].

Learn more at arboretum.harvard.edu/membership


Make the Most of Your Membership

Free or discounted admission to Arboretum classes & lectures, plus exclusive access to the popular members-only Director’s Lecture Series (see inside front cover for details)

Celebrate autumn by exploring the Arboretum’s ever-evolving landscape at our annual Members’ Tour Day. Our staff experts will guide you off the beaten path to delve into the wonders of our living collections. Invitations will be mailed in late August and registration is required.

Planning a trip? Use your Arboretum membership card for special admission or discounts at 300 gardens and arboreta world-wide via the American Horticultural Society’s Reciprocal Admission Program (RAP)

Shopping for plants or gardening supplies? Your local garden center may be a participant in our Nursery Discount Program.

MEMBERS’ TOUR DAYSaturday, October 21, 2017 10am-noon

Step into fall, foliage, and fun!

PERKS & PRIVILEGES

ArborwayBoston, MA 2-500

NONPROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAID ARNOLD ARBORETUM OF

HARVARD UNIVERSITY

visit us online at arboretum.harvard.edu In our Collection

Selecting a favorite species from the vast living collections of the Arnold Arboretum can prove a daunting task for a woody plant enthusiast like me. Admittedly, my

“favorite” can change from day to day, but I always seem to come back to Cotinus obovatus, the American smoketree. I have a fond memory of encountering a mature specimen of the species as an undergraduate on a sunny autumn day at the University of Delaware Botanic Garden, and savoring its vibrant foliage display. I cannot wait to experience the same effect from the specimens here at the Arboretum.

The American smoketree is a member of the Anacardiaceae, an interesting plant family noted for containing some economically important crops like mangos and cashews alongside more noxious ones like poison ivy and poison sumac. It occurs in the wild in higher-elevation areas of the south-central United States. Its contemporary range is quite limited, although it does not face the harvest pressures it experienced prior to the Civil War when its wood was used extensively in the production of yellow dyes. Growing with a multi-trunked habit, American smoketree reaches a maximum height of 35 feet. Its tiny flowers emerge on long panicles in summer and offer insignificant ornamental value. The real show—the “smoke” of the smoketree—comes from the billowy hairs attached to elongated stalks on the spent flower clusters that turn a beautiful pink as summer progresses. The effect can persist into fall, when its foliage can delight the eye with hues of yellow, red, orange, and purple.

The Eurasian cousin of our native species, C. coggygria, finds extensive use in American landscapes along with C. ‘Grace’, a hybrid of the two species. ‘Grace’ displays the showier

Cotinus obovatusMatthew McDermitt, Curatorial Assistant

inflorescences of the Eurasian species, but for me the excellent form and unparalleled fall color of our native smoketree give it the edge. With a preference for native plants gaining ground in the garden industry, I believe that C. obovatus deserves more credit and more widespread use as an ornamental plant in American gardens.

Arboretum accession 402-95*B (above) is located on Peters Hill along the path that runs northeast from Peters Hill Road. I encourage you to take a few moments on your next Arboretum visit to view this magnificent shrub and see for yourself what some call the most impressive fall foliage of any plant in the world. For a broader appreciation of the diversity of the genus, take a stroll among the Arboretum’s impressive display of Cotinus species, hybrids, and cultivars growing along Meadow Road, just a short walk from the Hunnewell Building. e

Photo by Kyle Port

Fall/Winter 2017-2018 news, classes & visitor guide · 2020-03-05 · visit us onlineumharedt arve...

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