The Department of Environmental Management will be giving away 1,000 trees this fall to Rhode Islanders through the Energy-Saving Trees Program. The program offers five species from which to choose: trident maple, river birch, willow oak, dawn redwood, and (seen here) sweetgum, Liquidambar styraciflua. Sweetgum typically grows to 60-80’ (less frequently to 120’) tall with …
(10.15) Step back in time to explore the Betsey Williams Cottage, home to Roger Williams’ great-great-great granddaughters, Betsey and Rhoda Williams. An open house is scheduled for this Saturday morning, with two more on the calendar in November and December. In the 1773 cottage that today sits beneath a massive sycamore tree, Betsey Williams, the …
This week we celebrate the lovely specimen tree, the Purple-Leaf Plum (Prunus cerasifera). The genus Prunus includes 430 species of flowering trees and shrubs such as peaches, plums, nectarines, almonds and cherries. What sets the purple-leaf plum apart is the contrast of the light pink blooms against the emerging purple foliage, even more lovely when …
These go fast. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) will launch its 2021 Tree Giveaway this Monday, April 5th. Recipients must be Rhode Island residents. (There will be another tree giveaway in September/October.) According to the ProJo nine species will be available: Allee elm, American hornbeam, black tupelo, eastern hop hornbeam, eastern redbud, …
This is why you plant a hawthorn: these clusters of vivid red berries brighten up the gray winter landscape and they attract birds. This cultivar is probably the Washington hawthorn (Crataegus phaenopyrum) which has dominated the American market for some time. Still, there are other small trees which might be better for the yard. Why …
Commonly called sourwood, sorrel tree, or lily-of-the-valley tree, most people in the biz refer to Oxydendrum arboreum by its genus name. The oxydendrum is a medium size tree, known for its red to reddish-purple autumn color. This plant prefers acidic, peaty, moist, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. It is tolerant of shade …
Pretty sure. I have to admit, I thought this was a red maple until I got home and looked at my pictures. Now I feel quite certain that it is a sugar maple (Acer saccharum). The Sugar Maple is a landscape standout. Medium to dark-green leaves turn yellow, burnt orange or red in fall. Tolerates …
The Department of Environmental Management (DEM), in partnership with the RI Tree Council, RI Nursery and Landscape Association, and the Arbor Day Foundation, is providing 1,200 free trees to Rhode Island homeowners this fall. Three easy steps: 1. Sign up at www.arborday.org/RIDEM, and map out your house by using the interactive mapping tool. 2. Select …
Despite its name, the Japanese pagoda tree (Styphnolobium japonicum) is native to China, Korea, and Vietnam. It is also known as the Chinese scholar tree and the Japanese scholar tree. (This is exactly why Linnaeus decide to get things organized*.) This useful street tree can reach a height of 75 feet or more, with the …
What a relief — still there. Tropical storm Isaias knocked down many of our towering shade trees, but this oak behind the Woods-Gerry Gallery on Prospect Street has emerged unscathed. And this was no accident. Seen here is a case study in how proper pruning and maintenance can help the big trees survive hurricane season, …
Spring has passed and the showy flowering trees are working on their fruit now. Time for one of the big evergreens that can provide yearlong visual interest and a home for wildlife. Seen here is the pillowy Cryptomeria japonica, a member of the cypress family which everyone just calls cryptomeria. This grouping can be found …
Mature trees can not be “replaced” no matter what National Grid says. Their plan to remove three mature London plane trees from South Main Street is meeting resistance from neighbors and tree lovers alike. From abc6 News: A spokesperson for National Grid tells ABC 6, leaving the trees would create a safety hazard for workers, …
Say what you will about a wet spring, it sure is green out there. Leaving the house was like walking into Munchkinland. Adding a vivid accent is the foliage of this tricolor beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘tricolor’) on Blackstone Boulevard. The foliage of this cultivar, with its purple/pink variegated leaves, may scorch in hot summer sun; …
Most people can identify this one: The saucer magnolia (Magnolia soulangeana) does very well in these parts and an increasing number of cultivars have come on the market offering a range of colors from the common pink to a deeper purple. Seen here are the two spectacular magnolias that frame the John Carter Brown Library …
Blooming now around town is the Cornelian cherry dogwood (Cornus mas). This specimen is on the Blackstone Boulevard walking path. Described as either a large shrub or small tree, this member of the dogwood family is often confused with another early bloomer, witch hazel. But the Cornelian cherry has much shorter petals, tightly bunched up. …