Assistants News
News from the Arboretum
CLICK BELOW to download a PDF version of the latest "News from the Arboretum," a publication produced by the Arboretum Assistants.
In the News
"Gardeners really dig this cleanup" - Article in 4/4/09 edition of the Reading Eagle
The Arboretum at the Reading Public Museum: The Home of Champions
January 17, 2012 – Reading, Pa. – Thanks to the nominating and measuring efforts of Master Gardener Jim Smoker of the Arboretum Committee, the Reading Public Museum now has four trees on The Pennsylvania Forestry Association's Web site, with one more soon to be added. The White Poplar (Populus, alba), named a PA Champion tree in 2010, was downed as a result of a freak snowstorm in late October, 2011, and is no longer listed on their Web site (www.pabigtrees.com).
The other trees are:
• Ginko, biloba – Maide nhair Tree – total points - 259.5. This is not nearly the largest one in Pa., but is an example of a large one for Berks County. It is located next to Museum Road.
• Hemiptelia, davidii – No Common Name – total points - 120.5. This is almost tie with the champion for Pa. It is located in front of The Museum between the path and stream.
• Acer, cappadocicum – Coliseum Maple – total points - 152.2. This tree is the state champion presently and is located in a cluster of trees on the hospital side of the stream near the marble bench.
• Acer, tataricum – Tatarian Maple – total points - 112.3. This is currently the champion and is on Museum Rd. near the bridge.
• Aesculus, glabra – Ohio Buckeye – total points 179.6. This presently ranks number two on the list. This is the one that is not yet on the Web site. This tree is tight against the annex garage near the restrooms.
The purpose of the Big Tree program is to try to find the largest trees for the species in the state and to encourage people to become aware them. It is possible that the present Champions could be replaced by trees not yet found or identified.
The Pennsylvania Forestry Association is a broad-based citizen's organization that provides leadership and education in sound, science-based forest management and promotes stewardship to ensure the sustainability of all forest resources, resulting in benefits for all, today and into the future. The Champion Tree Program is one of the many resources they provide to achieve their goals. A Champion Tree represents the largest of each species of tree found in the state.
The organization has over 1000 trees listed across the state that are big locally, or are the biggest in the state. Trees that have National Champion potential are forwarded to American Forests.
Photos and more information about The Museum trees listed here (except the Ohio Buckeye, shown above) can be found at www.pabigtrees.com.
Arboretum Assistants Need Assitance in 2012
The holidays are over and the winter doldrums are upon us. Fortunately spring with its promise of warmth, color, and newness of life is only several weeks away. With that in mind, the Reading Public Museum Arboretum Committee is preparing to greet our returning Arboretum Assistants and welcome new participants to the Museum Arboretum program.
The 2012 Season envisions "mass plantings" of similar specimens to produce eye catching arrays of color and form. For the first time in decades, we will propagate our own annuals in the reconstructed greenhouse where we anticipate holding educational Arb workshops in the fall. We ask all veteran and prospective Arboretum Assistants to attend two training sessions being offered the mornings of March 14 and March 21 in The Museum's auditorium. Additional information will be sent to you after you register for the program.
We ask each Arboretum Assistant to contribute the equivalent of two Wednesday mornings per month during the gardening season - April through October (at least 14 sessions total). The Wednesdays will be of your own choosing with advance sign-up requested. Penn State Master Gardeners serve as Arboretum Supervisors, working by your side, directing and offering instruction for each work session. You will only be asked to accept tasks physically comfortable for you.
Please join our friendly group of fellow gardeners for education, gardening and camaraderie. Our combined efforts make a major impact on the Museum grounds. To register please contact Chris Heiser, Volunteer Coordinator, by e-mail at chrish408@comcast.net or telephone the Museum Arboretum at 610-371-5850, x239 and leave a message.
Thank you from the Arboretum Committee:
Gerry Gobright, chairman, Sandie Baker, Beth Finlay, Chris Heiser, Ken Heiser, Pat Parks, Dory Peterson, Bill Riedel, Barbara Rowley, Jim Smoker, Rick Staudt, Betty Sustello, Karin Wulkowicz
