Can you identify these invasive species? If you can't (or even if you can!), you should consider taking our Invasive Plants workshop on May 30! Click here for more information. The answers are at the bottom of the newsletter.

by Ric Jordan

‘Another May new buds and flowers shall bring: Ah! why has happiness no second Spring?’
Charlotte Smith

I am sure many of us feel a bit like Charlotte Smith, wishing for a second spring, as this merry month of May progresses. Last week it seemed like we went straight into early summer and many of our flowering shrubs and trees bolted and we had week or so of glorious blossoms and now we have a lovely soft green canopy. The cooler weather of this week will assist in maintaining the lilac and crabapple blooms around for a period of time, also the spring wild flowers in our woodlots. The trilliums have put on a spectacular show again in Victoria Woods so if you are able to visit please do.

I mentioned our summer staff last month and I, well perhaps I should say Sean, was able to capture them in one place after lunch for a newsletter photo. As in past years we rely heavily on our off-semester student work force. While we tend to highlight our summer grounds crew I mustn’t forget there are others. Elsewhere in this edition is an article by our summer naturalist outlining some of her planned activities and there are also other students who may participate in workstudy positions during the school year.

FR l to r Brianna, Kenna BR l to r Shanella, Shanelle, Owen and Nathan

Winter damage and long range planning has necessitated some tree removals and they are methodically being handled as time permits. Of more importance from a timing perspective is our spring planting program which includes memorial forest planting and additions or replacements in our horticultural collections. The first of some long awaited orientation aids has been installed at the pedestrian entrance from campus and another display should go in the Hales McKay Shelter in June. Let us know what you think.

No month can go by without mentioning our wonderful volunteer/auxiliary group. While one or two small winter seed groups have wound up the larger groups have come to life and are stretching out those forgotten muscles. As I write this two of the three groups assisting in the collections are at capacity while the Friday one has limited space. The plant sale group is just gearing up and will likely require some keen individuals in the coming months so if you are interested please contact Ranee at x52358 for more info. An outside group that assists The Arb in many ways is the Guelph-Wellington Master Gardeners. They attend our annual plant sale in September and answer your plant questions or make suggestions for your site, they care for and expand the Jane Goodall Roots & Shoots initiated woodland garden in the centre forest and many of the individuals volunteer with us as well. For all of the above I’m going to put in a plug for their annual spring plant sale which will be held at the RJ Hilton Centre, 384 College Ave. E on Saturday May 23rd. Gates open at 9:00 so come early for a good selection of plants for your spring planting.

On a personal note it doesn’t seem possible but 40 years ago, May 1975, I started a summer job at The Arb. Obviously there have been significant changes in those years and I hope to tell their story beginning in next month’s newsletter so keep watch, if there is something you wish to know the history of please let me know and I will try work it in ...

and for my friend Ben;
The garden is the poor man's apothecary. ~German Proverb

Slainte
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by Polly Samland

Dwarf conifers are familiar. On the average residential street you are sure to see dwarf yew and cedar –originally planted as low foundation screens- overtaking windows and porches. The most inhospitable intersections and gas station islands are often greened up with juniper cultivars. In such utilitarian settings, it is sometimes difficult to notice or appreciate the unique forms, textures and colours these plants can offer.

In The Arboretum, an entire collection reminds us that dwarf conifers are also incredibly unique and varied. Many of the items in this collection were donated en masse in the 1970’s, and it is interesting to see the dimensions they have attained. While we remove damaged or diseased limbs, the plants were never hedged or pruned for shape, so their habit was attained naturally. The recent ice storm -followed by record lows this past winter- have certainly taken a toll. Heavy loads easily flatten and split multi-stemmed forms of cedar and juniper, and red needle-burn from cold winds is visible on many of the taller and less hardy specimens.

It is quickly apparent that many “dwarf” cultivars can become fairly large trees – they are only considered dwarf in comparison to the true species. While some, like Pinus aristata, stay small because of the environmental niche they developed in, where survival depended on an extremely slow rate of growth, most dwarf conifers in cultivation today are clones of naturally occurring mutations. A common source of these mutations is the ‘Witches Broom,’ an uncanny title that has origins in German folklore, but which makes sense when you see the dense, twisted growth on an otherwise normal tree. Some brooms are created by the interference of fungi, mistletoe or insects, but others are simply a new variation expressed by a bud of the plant. Collectors search out these brooms (Waxman was famous for shooting them down from the tree-tops with a rifle), graft them onto a species rootstock, and monitor the development, looking for a horticultural novelty. It could be twisted needles, or a pendulous form, the possibilities are seemingly endless.

The Dwarf Conifer collection is carefully composed and organized. Like much of The Arboretum, it is arranged taxonomically, and follows the botanical hierarchy of genera and species within a family. For example, Juniper, Chamaecyparis, Thuja, Microbiota and Platycladus are all genera within the family Cupressaceae, and generally they share certain physical traits, such as more scale-like leaves. The smaller scale of the plants makes their interpretive features easily accessible, with bark, cones and needles at a height that is easy to look at and touch.

It is also organized ornamentally. Each bed is an island in a gently rolling sea of green. Lawn narrows into paths and widens into glades, encouraging you to round each bed and explore further. Specimens are organized within beds for maximum contrast; columnar forms rise dramatically beside prostrate mats, globe shapes sit tidily beside drooping oddities. A tapestry of coarse and fine foliage can be seen, and although most dwarf conifers hold their leaves through the winter, many have seasonal variation in colour and brilliance.

One consequence of the high concentration of formal beds is that this collection requires extra maintenance. To combat the Tatarian maple, Canada thistle, garlic mustard and buckthorns that attempt to colonize and swallow the collection each year, a volunteer group was formed in 2014. It has already had a huge impact in keeping the area presentable and inviting. While working with this group each Friday, I have been pleased to note how people use the space. Donors have provided benches, located under the canopies of accent maples, private spots where visitors gather to read, play instruments or picnic. Homeowners use it as a reference for their own plans, to get inspiration or to avoid potential problems. Ideally, it is an opportunity to see something fresh from the familiar.

                       
                        Dwarf Conifer Collection

  
Dwarf Conifer Collection                         Dwarf Conifer Collection

Alexandra Kocher

My name is Alexandra, and I am this year’s Summer Interpretive Naturalist here at the Arboretum. I just graduated from the University of Guelph this April with a B.Sc. in Ecology, so I love learning about the interactions between flora, fauna, and the environment as well as the natural history that this earth has to share! My love of nature began at a very early age, starting with camping in Algonquin Provincial Park since I was 3 years old. My love for the outdoors was met with an appreciation for horticulture when I started volunteering with my Grandfather in retirement homes, hospitals, and children’s groups interpreting horticulture since I was seven years old.

My love of the natural world intertwined with the world of art as I attended an auditioned arts high school and enhanced my skills in their visual arts program as well as the drama program. Most of my art was inspired by nature, so even though my art teacher was disappointed that I wasn’t continuing my education in the art world; it wasn’t a surprise that I chose to study ecology. My artistic background gives me a different perspective of the natural world in a way that most people miss. Beauty can be found everywhere and sometime in the most simple and surprising of places.

Starting in June, I will be hosting a series of Wednesday Night Walks here at The Arboretum, where anyone of any age and background from the community can come together to explore and learn about the beautiful and exciting world of nature. This is a great opportunity to get out of the house, enjoy the summer weather, and gain an appreciation for nature and all creatures who dwell here. Topics for these walks vary every week, and they explore many different areas: from getting close to nature through art, looking at cool evolution and how it works, looking for animal signs, life strategies of plants, goldenrod life, bird identification, some nature folklore, etc. My goal is to have fun and make an impact on how people see the natural world; whether it be a new appreciation, a new skill, a love for the outdoors, a new perspective, or giving you the opportunity to pass on some nature love to friends or family. Whatever the end result may be, I look forward to having you join me for these Wednesday night adventures!

Alexander Kocher,  Summer Naturalist

Join Alexandra, the new Summer Interpretive Naturalist, for Wednesday Night Walks at The Arboretum June through August. The cost is only $2 with children under 5 FREE! Walks take place every Wednesday evening from 7 - 8:30 p.m., beginning at the J.C. Taylor Nature Centre.

For more information please contact The Arboretum at 519-824-4120 ext. 52363 or go to our website.

June 3 - Hire a tree, they have an impressive resume!
Everyone knows that trees are important for taking in CO2 emissions, but did you know that they have your back in many more ways? Trees have many benefits for you and your community including saving money, neighbourhood safety, and keeping you happy and healthy. Come learn how important trees really are and what they have to offer you and your family. Remember, stick to the buddy system, and find yourself a tree!

June 10 - Creatures and Features of the Creek
Come discover the array of plants and animals that live in The Arboretum Creek and most likely in the creek nearest you! In this hands-on workshop we will be discussing the importance of creeks, their natural diversity, and conservation practices.

Mark your calendars! We will be hosting the Arboretum Bioblitz on Sunday, June 21 in the J.C. Taylor Nature Centre. Visitors are welcome to join us anytime between 10 am and 4 pm. After a brief intro at 10, we will split into groups to go out and look for all things alive! Last year we recorded over 400 species of plants, animals, lichens and fungi. More details will be posted on our website soon!

The Arboretum’s grounds are the perfect setting for group tours. Our knowledgeable docents (trained volunteer guides) give pre-arranged 1 ½ hour tours of the Arboretum’s grounds, gardens, collections and other points of interest. The tours can be focused on the areas that are seasonally appropriate and / or that are of interest to you and your group. Tours should be booked a minimum of 2 weeks in advance. The cost is $5 per person, with a minimum charge of $60. Tours provide an excellent break for a meeting group. For further information on tours or to make a reservation please contact Barb Watson – Ash at [log in to unmask] or 519-824-4120 ext. 54110.

Building Ponds and Waterfalls, Invasive Species (Plants), Night and Low Light Photography, Close up and Macro Photography, Lichens, Moths, Biomimicry and Medicinal Plants workshops are approaching. The dates and registration deadlines can be found in our Coming Events Listing in the column on the left side of this newsletter. A detailed description of each course is available on our website. Help us promote our programs … please forward this e-mail on to your friends and colleagues who may be interested. The more participants we have, the more programs we can offer.

Registering early is important for us because we need lead time to decide if we are running the workshop or not. To encourage registering before the deadline, we now have an Early Bird Fee. You can still register after the deadline, but it will cost an extra $10, so why not register early? This plan will also help newspapers get the word out in time - we often get a great listing in a newspaper right after the deadline and after we have cancelled the program due to low registration numbers! Hopefully this new plan will ensure that most of our workshops get enough participants to run them!

Registration is available on-line which allows you to register for our programs at anytime, not just during our regular business hours. A secure link is provided on our website for this easy registration process.

If you do not have internet access registration can still be made by phone or in person at 519-824-4120 ext. 52358 as in the past. Please remember that a decision is made on the registration deadline as to whether the workshop will run or not, based on the minimum number of required registrants. You may still register after the deadline as long as the workshop is running and there is space.

Migration is hopping here in The Arb. During a short hike on May 11, we had 13 warbler species plus Swainson's Thrush, Wood Thrush, Great Crested Flycatcher, Indigo Bunting, Warbling Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. As well, our trilliums had a lovely peak of bloom on Mother's Day - great timing for our visiting Mom's. Now many of our shrubs are beginning to bloom including lilacs, redbuds and plums. Don't miss our spectacular May - come and visit!

 
American Plum                                   Redbuds
photo by Chris Earley                          photo by Alan Watson

                                
                                 Wood Thrush
                                 photo by Karl Egressy

Be a part of the BetterPlanet Project by donating on-line:

Your donation can be directed to The Arboretum online through the secure University of Guelph donation page: http://uofg.convio.net/arboretum

If you prefer not to make an online donation, there are several other ways to provide your financial support. You can choose to donate by telephone, mail, fax, or in person:

UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH Attention Alumni Affairs 50 Stone Road East Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1 Tel: 1-888-266-3108 ext. 56934 Tel: 519-824-4120 ext. 56934 Fax: 519-822-2670 Email: [log in to unmask]

If you would like information on bequests and planned giving to The Arboretum please contact:

Ross Butler
Director, Gift Planning
at (519) 824-4120 ext. 56196 or by e-mail at [log in to unmask]