Happenings

Bald Eagle at Scott Arboretum

Bald Eagle at Scott Arboretum. photo credit: S. KeitchOn February 4th at approximately 1:30 pm a group of people huddled under the grove of trees between Kohlberg Hall and Trotter Hall with their eyes pointed skywards.  Perched atop the tallest tulip tree was an apparently mature Bald Eagle.  The Bald Eagle, our national bird, is making a comeback in several spots in the U. S.; however, seeing one in many parts of the country is uncommon.  Personally, I have seen the Bald Eagle soaring over Swarthmore or perched on the side of the road along the Blue Route near the Swarthmore exit.

Today, the Bald Eagle population is approximately…

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Heritage Tree Program

Quercus falcata completed Heritage Tree Survey form. photo credit: T. Hawkins

Nether Providence Township has recently established Heritage Tree designation for some of the oldest or most distinctive trees in the township. This designation was adopted last year by the Nether Providence as part of the revision to their Shade Tree Ordinances.  Heritage trees are protected by township law and a township permit must be filled out by the property owner and reviewed by the Shade Tree Committee before removing, or pruning more than 20% of a Heritage Tree within a twelve month period.

The following defines a Heritage Tree:

1)      A tree 36 inches or greater dbh (diameter at breast height; note:…

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Greens for Wreaths: Magnolia grandiflora ‘Edith Bogue’

Green Wreath made at Scott Arboretum workshops. photo credit: R. Maurer

This is the time of the year that we begin harvesting greens at the Scott Arboretum to use for the Green Wreath workshops. All greens that are harvested are the side product of either necessary pruning that has to occur or from the removal of plants that have been deemed by the Collections Committee to be de-accessioned, usually because it is a poor specimen  or an inferior selection or cultivar.

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Magnolia grandiflora 'Edith Bogue' encroaching on the Wister Greenhouse. photo credit: R. Robert

On occasion we have to prune the southern magnolias, Magnolia grandiflora in our collection.  Because of the construction of the…

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