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Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
California Arboreta & Gardens
California updates to the Arboretum Map today.
The map is now loaded with dozens of locations across the state. People living in or visiting the San Francisco & Los Angeles areas have especially an especially dense selection of parks to visit.
The map is now loaded with dozens of locations across the state. People living in or visiting the San Francisco & Los Angeles areas have especially an especially dense selection of parks to visit.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
The Lotus Pond Wingnut
Every once in a while I come across a tree that makes me stop and stare in awe, and the Lotus Pond Wingnut was one of those trees. I had not set out looking for the Wingnut, but found it while exploring the grounds of Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville, KY.
The tree is a Caucasian Wingnut (Pterocarya fraxinifolia). I call it the Lotus Pond Wingnut because it grows in the Lotus Pond section of the Cemetery.
The Wingnut name is dervied from the literal observation of its winged seeds.
Catkins could be seen on the tree during my visit.
Wingnut Bark
I stand infront of the tree to show the scale of its width.
One of the factors that makes this tree so impressive is the size of its trunk. It is recorded have a circumference of 21'6", that is over 6 and a half meters. The other factor that makes this tree unusual is its type. Wingnut trees are almost never planted in this part of the United States which makes them quite rare finds.
While most of the grounds at Cave Hill Cemetery are well groomed and pruned, this tree seems to be left to battle the English Ivy (Hedera helix) and Purple Leaf Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei) on its own. I have some concern about what the ivy will do to the trunk of the tree over time. It will likely create a moist microclimate under the leaves will accelerate the growth of fungus and create more opportunity for pests and disease.
Ivy covers the trunk of the tree
Perhaps the ivy is not all bad considering it helps to conceal the burrow of the tree's small furry guardian.
At the base of the tree a tunnel is hidden among the roots and vines.
As I stood infront of the tree a small red fox bounded out of the branches above me and jumped over my head. I had just enough time to regain my composure and turn to capture a photo as it ran across the lawn.
Under the limb a small tunnel of ivy shows the fox's secret hideaway.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
October 24th and 350
While my friends & family know how passionate I am about the environment I rarely speak about it here. I try to keep EarlyForest.Com focused on the trees themselves , but occasionally we need to step back and look at the bigger picture. If you are not familiar with 350.org it is time become aware. Our planet is going through some unprecedented changes right now and we need to act. As the climate changes our forests will not respond in positive ways. Unlike animals, trees lack the ability to relocate when local conditions change.
Please take a moment to watch the video below and learn how you can participate in improving the condition of our home.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
New York Arboreta & Gardens
Botanical Gardens and Arboreta across the State of New York have been added to the arboretum map.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Join the Early Forest Team
EarlyForest.Com is looking for team members and guest bloggers.
Build your professional resume, gain valuable experience & get recognition for your photography and writing.
After over a year of running EarlyForest.Com by myself with Natalie, and sharing hundreds of photos of trees, I have to admit that it will take me a lifetime to photograph all of the trees around the world. I will be continuing with my daily photos and regular posting, but I would like to also open up the doors to others interested in participating. Team members & guests will be invited to write botanical garden & arboreta reviews, share their tree photography, or contribute whatever media inspires them (video or audio podcast?), its up to you.
New team members will be granted an exclusive EarlyForest.Com email address (yourname@earlyforest.com) and guests will be permitted to plug their website or blog.
If you are interested in talking with me about this further please email me at Craig@EarlyForest.Com or drop a comment on this post.
Thanks,
Craig
Build your professional resume, gain valuable experience & get recognition for your photography and writing.
After over a year of running EarlyForest.Com by myself with Natalie, and sharing hundreds of photos of trees, I have to admit that it will take me a lifetime to photograph all of the trees around the world. I will be continuing with my daily photos and regular posting, but I would like to also open up the doors to others interested in participating. Team members & guests will be invited to write botanical garden & arboreta reviews, share their tree photography, or contribute whatever media inspires them (video or audio podcast?), its up to you.
New team members will be granted an exclusive EarlyForest.Com email address (yourname@earlyforest.com) and guests will be permitted to plug their website or blog.
If you are interested in talking with me about this further please email me at Craig@EarlyForest.Com or drop a comment on this post.
Thanks,
Craig
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Arboretum Review : Cave Hill Cemetery
Cave Hill Cemetery
701 Baxter Ave
Louisville, KY 40204
502-451-5630
502-451-5630
View location on the Arboretum Map
Date Visited : 26 March 2009
I stopping into Cave Hill Cemetery back in March before and after meetings while in Louisville on business. I spent two to three hours touring the grounds and felt that I only saw a fraction of what was there.
I entered the cemetery off of Grinstead Drive past a massive gatehouse where a guard is stationed. A smile was all it took for the guard to wave me through in the early morning, but one could expect a brief question if visiting during unusual hours or if they look particularly suspicious. I would simply let them know that you are visiting for horticultural viewing.
An old cherry in bloom forms an umbrella shaped canopy
After looping around part of the perimeter and getting thoroughly lost I made for the Administrative Offices to get more information. Signs guide the way. The Administrative Offices are located in the center of the grounds in a massive castle-like building overlooking one of the lakes.
Administrative OfficesInside the Administrative Offices I found a helpfull staff that provided a fold out map of the grounds titled "Plants of Distinction". The map shows each section of the cemetery and lists plants that can be seen in that area. The map also contains a list of 26 champion trees which are the biggest of their types in the State of Kentucky.
A long pond with fountains stretches across the grounds
One tree of particular interest to myself was a massive Caucasian Wingnut with an astounding 21'6" trunk circumfrence. Located in the "Lotus Pond" section of the Cemetery, I have dubed it the Lotus Pond Wingnut.
I stand infront of the giant Wingnut tree
The trees on the grounds are strikingly beautiful and unusually large and old for an urban-american setting. I was a bit disappointed that the tree tags lack scientific names, but the incredible diversity in the collection makes up for it.
A magnolia in bloom
I suggest taking a moment to greet the famous Colonel Sanders and other distinguished residents who have to luxury of resting forever in one of Kentucky's most beautiful parks. Also be sure to appreciate the stunning architecture and monumentation.
The grounds are covered with beautiful artistic monuments
Cemetery Architecture
Observed Trees:
Abies normand - Normand Fir
Acer campestre - Hedge Maple
Acer pseudoplatanus - Sycamore Maple
Acer pseudosieboldianum - Korean Maple
Aesculus x carnea - Red Horsechestnut
Cedrus libani - Cedar of Lebanon
Corylus colurna - Turkish Filbert
Halesia carolina - Carolina Silverbell
Ilex opaca f. xanthocarpa - Yellow Berry American Holly
Larix decidua - European Weeping Larch
Magnolia virginiana - Sweetbay Magnolia
Quercus laurifolia - Laurel Oak
Sophora japonica - Japanese Pagoda Tree
Taxodium ascendens - Pond Cypress
Taxus baccata - English Yew
Xanthoceras sorbifolium - Shiny Leaf Yellowhorn
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
Home by Yann Arthus-Bertrand
The much anticipated "Home" by Yann Arthus-Bertrand was finally released today. This documantary takes us on an amazing trip around the world to see it's wonders and learn about humanity's role on this planet. Best of all it has been given to the world for free and you can watch the documentary right now via YouTube...
http://www.youtube.com/homeproject
http://www.youtube.com/homeproject
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
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