Recent fall work at the garden included raising the canopy height above the center bed by trimming the River Birch. This will allow a bit more light to reach the bed plantings, a better overall view of the entire garden, and overhead clearance for visitors walking through. A few lower limbs were also removed from the old Post Oak tree.
Recent fall work at the garden included raising the canopy height above the center bed by trimming the River Birch. This will allow a bit more light to reach the bed plantings, a better overall view of the entire garden, and overhead clearance for visitors walking through. A few lower limbs were also removed from the old Post Oak tree.
We appreciate Scott Van Hook from the Arkansas Forestry Division for helping us assess the health of the beautiful old post oak at the Berryville Public Library gardens. We hope to enjoy this lovely tree for many more years!
From Scott: “Using the formula for aging, then deducting 25% from the total for urban growth factors I’ve come up with an approximate age of 130 to 177 years. Actually at the top end and a little older than I anticipated!”
~Jennifer Hudspeth
Speaking of Oak trees:
Wild Ones Presents “The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees” by Dr. Doug Tallamy. Drawing from his book, The Nature of Oaks (2021), renowned entomologist Dr. Doug Tallamy offers a month-by-month guide to observing and identifying the growth of oak trees and the living creatures that depend upon oaks for food and shelter.
Oaks perform critical ecological functions: they support biodiversity, sequester carbon, stabilize soil, produce high-quality persistent leaf litter, and promote healthy watersheds. In this program, Dr. Tallamy presents facts, shares stories, and unpacks myths about oaks, inspiring people to plant and protect these vital, majestic, and long-lived trees. Link to video of his program.