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Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008
When I was the curatorial intern here at the Scott Arboretum, I was given the task of producing the annual evaluation and report of our James R. Frorer Holly collection which would be then given to the Holly Society of America. I remember quiet afternoons by myself tromping around in the snow, checking accession tags, assessing the fruiting and general health of the trees. This is when I realized what an incredible collection we have here at Scott, and how much I enjoy spending time in it. The collection is a designated National Holly Arboretum by the Holly Society of…
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Thursday, September 11th, 2008
Hickory Horned Devil
Citheronia regalis
Yesterday we found a hickory horned devil outside of the Arboretum offices and I was reminded of what fantastic critters they are. Their appearance can be somewhat striking to someone who has never seen one before. I remember I was shocked the first time I saw one. They have spiky horns and can grow up to six inches in length. When they are disturbed, they rear up their spiky heads, but they are actually pretty harmless. They spend the summer eating leaves of Carya, Juglans, Rhus, and Nyssa trees. This time of year they turn a beautiful shade…
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Friday, May 2nd, 2008
Have you noticed that the volume has been turned up on the morning chorus of bird song? Our local breeding birds are getting serious in their efforts to establish and defend territories for nesting and for raising young. More and more of our visiting migrant birds are arriving to add their voices to the choir.
In another sure sign of spring, many of these birds are molting into their bright breeding plumage. Just yesterday evening, Arboretum gardener Nicole Lewis and her young daughter, Maysie, observed six very yellow American Goldfinches cavorting high among the flowers of the massive Bur Oak, Quercus…
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