Brooklyn Botanic Garden experiences worst damage in 50 years, loses prized tree in snowstorm; New York, NY

Brooklyn Botanic Garden takes damage in snowstorm, loses prized tree:
Last week's blizzard inflicted some of the worst damage on the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in decades, forcing the conservatory to close for three days.
The heavy snowfall snapped tree branches and toppled a prized, century-old Cedar of Lebanon. The risk of falling limbs injuring visitors - like the fatal accident in Central Park last Thursday - prompted Botanic Garden officials to shut the park while landscapers removed broken boughs.
'This is probably the worst damage the garden has had in 50 years from snowfall,' said Brooklyn Botanic Garden President Scott Medbury.

Arboretum dedication Tree City announcement mark Arbor Day in Rome; Rome, GA

RN-T.com - Arboretum dedication Tree City announcement mark Arbor Day in Rome:
Several hundred Romans, many of them garden club members, gathered along the trail behind State Mutual Stadium on Friday to celebrate Arbor Day and dedicate the new Riverside Memorial Arboretum.

Carolyn Walker, president of the Rome Federated Garden Clubs, spoke during the dedication of the arboretum. “Today we celebrate the future of these blessings (from the earth) as the strong scarlet oaks grow and provide beauty, shade, home for God’s creatures and clean air here on the banks of the Oostanaula River,” said Walker.

Twelve scarlet oaks were planted, one for each of the 12 garden clubs in Rome.

High Point University recognized by National Arbor Day Foundation as Tree Campus USA; North Point, NC

High Point University © 2010:
High Point University has been honored as a 2009 Tree Campus USA University for its dedication to campus forestry management and environmental stewardship – the fifth university in the state to be given this designation.
'High Point University continues to be dedicated to the enhancement of the campus and seeks to maintain a learning environment complimented by a diverse landscape. Our faculty, staff, students, and donors along with landscape designers, local garden clubs, scientists, and others joined together to make our dream of a campus arboretum a reality,' says Dr. Nido Qubein, president of HPU. 'HPU wants to ensure that our campus will be protected, enhanced, and stand as a symbol of our commitment to nurture the gifts of nature. The Arboretum and Botanical Gardens are significant and highly visible residents of the High Point University campus while greatly impacting the quality of life of our campus and community.'

Man to donate tree-covered parcel to city for arboretum, possible tree nursery; Central Point, OR

Man to bequeath tree-covered acreage to city MailTribune.com:
CENTRAL POINT — An acre and a half of trees near Crater High School will one day serve as an arboretum, adding to the city's inventory of park space.
The property is the subject of a 'life deed,' in which property owner Wally Skyrman will pass the property on to the city at his death. The site has at times served as a tree nursery.
Skyrman, who declined to be interviewed, has owned the property, which was homesteaded by his family in the 1800s, for 50 years.
Parks and Recreation Manager Matt Samitore said the land is 'a beautiful site' with an extensive collection of mature trees, including some that could be recognized under the state's Heritage Tree program.
Samitore said preliminary plans for the site include an arboretum and educational center, and potentially an area for tree propagation that could provide replacement trees for the city's parks.

Regional park gem keeps sustainability, climate. water needs in mind; San Diego, CA

voiceofsandiego.org: People... Keeping an Urban Forest, and Resurrecting Trampled Flowerbeds Besides

Sunday, May 31, 2009 | In 1892, a dauntless woman named Kate Sessions convinced the city of San Diego to lease her 30 acres in old City Park for her thriving nursery business. In exchange, she'd plant 100 trees a year there and grow 300 more for the rest of the city. Those were the roots of Balboa Park; Sessions is considered the mother of the regional icon.
In 2009, horticulturist Crystal Ritchie drives a white city truck through the park, monitoring the thousands of trees, plants and shrubs in her purview. Immersed in the park's plant life, Ritchie seems to sense -- even more than she sees -- the places in a given radius where the current flora could be replaced with more drought-resistant plants. A dying tree presents an opportunity: what should we plant next?
It's a question shared in dry days across the San Diego region.
"We're all owning up to our climate -- we've been in what I think they call 'zonal denial,'" she says.

Dawes Arboretum, one of oldest in USA, marks 80 year anniversary; Newark, OH

Dawes marks 80 years | newarkadvocate.com | The Newark Advocate
Local arboretum among the oldest in the United States
BY ABBEY ROY • Advocate Reporter • June 7, 2009
NEWARK -- The foliage of an ancient and towering beech tree formed a natural canopy over the small crowd gathered Saturday afternoon on the patio of the Dawes Arboretum Visitors Center.
As Dawes volunteers dished up slices of birthday cake for guests, the Crystal City Chorus launched into a colorful rendition of 'Rockin' Robin,' and Mary Jane Dawes Bolon sat nearby, taking in the scenery.
The granddaughter of Dawes Arboretum founders Beman and Bertie Dawes became well acquainted in her childhood with the property that now spans almost 1,800 acres, and she was pleased to be present for the celebration of the arboretum's 80th anniversary.
'It's a very tranquil and special place,' she said, recalling memories of Sunday dinners enjoyed around her grandparents' large table and fresh milk from the milkhouse on the property.