American Holly at Pine Hollow Arboretum

Green Leaf and Red Berry on a December Day at Pine Hollow

Welcome Winter! Tis the most wonderful time of the year! Seems strange though that we have not seen much snow whirling about but soon enough I’m sure. I love winter at the arboretum. Something about the way the bare branched trees create a level of transparency throughout the woods. It makes the pines and the ponds seem to standout even more. The birds are especially noticeable and fun to watch; the way they dart about yet seem to hang around curious about these strange two legged creatures in their space.

One of my favorite winter berry trees at the arboretum is the American Holly Tree or Ilex opaca. There is a big male one that can be found at the beginning of the Fir Trail and then a couple female ones with red berries in the vicinity. As you probably know, the holly tree is a popular ornamental tree during the winter holiday season because of its attractive red fruit and dark green leaves. It can grow to be 15 to 30 feet tall. It has a smooth gray-brown bark and a dense crown. The evergreen leaves are lined with sharp spiny edges. The tree produces a greenish-white flower

Light green trees in background of photo are American Holly

from April thru June which is replaced by red berry-like clusters in the fall. The tree is native to the eastern and gulf regions of the U.S. The holly tree prefers moist soils such as on the borders of swamps but on the other hand thrives on drier soils in protected areas such as along the coast behind sand dunes. It is slow growing and is not reliably cold hardy throughout New York State which makes the arboretum’s specimen so special. The evergreen leaves and berries provide shelter and nourishment to birds of all kinds.
One additional piece of information that I found while doing research on this tree was that the Holly tree has a significant place in history. A study of all colonial gardens of Virginia shows that Holly trees were a favorite of them. Also, there are a number of entries in George Washington’s diary referencing Christmas Holly. In one instance he recorded that he transplanted many little Hollies from the woods but then confessed that his transplanting experiment failed and they died. He apparently tried again because today thirteen of the Hollies that Washington planted still stand. Amazing!
Enjoy the cold winter season!

Post Written by Sue Abbuhl
Photos December 2011 at Pine Hollow by Alan Casline

Winter Walk Saturday,January 21st at 10 Am

Inspired by the relatively "open" winter we are scheduling a winter walk/tour at the Pine Hollow Arboretum. It is a totally different experience on the property with out any ticks or poison ivy! Join John Abbuhl at 10 AM on Saturday , Jan 21st at the Maple Ave Visitors Center for a chance to enjoy the season . The walk will include a tour in the back woods, a part of the property that is not usually enjoyed by the public . All ages are welcome!

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We now have a face book page... where we will keep you in touch with all activities.

As 2012 approaches, take a moment to remind yourself how fortunate we are to have the Pine Hollow Arboretum. Every day, 3,250 trees are on display throughout the year. Horticultural treasures change and grow each season, in an eco-friendly exhibit carefully tended by curator Dr. John Abbuhl. This magnificent open-air museum is here, in our Town of Bethlehem for everyone to explore.

Throughout the seasons -- artists, poets, music lovers, families, students, teachers, bikers, environmental enthusiasts & others visit the Pine Hollow Arboretum. Many visitors are now friends and members, widening the circle of supporters. Local community organizations and preservation initiatives are also evolving, including the two-mile stretch of the rail trail that opened last summer, from Veterans Park to Kenwood and Grove, running parallel to the Arboretum and adjoining borders with the Slingerlands Historic District.

The Arboretum inspires creativity, introspection, learning and discovery. It interprets how nature helps, hinders and balances the world around us. Just when we think we get it, Mother nature changes the rules. This year taught us powerful lessons in the wake of Hurricane Irene, the floods of 2011 and the value of giving. Maybe we understand a little better now, why we need to protect and preserve what we have.

Happy Holidays…

SLS 12.12.11

DAMAGE FROM OCTOBER 29, 2011 STORM

Metasequoia branch damaged and removed

An early heavy snow blew in on Saturday October 29, 2011 and left a lot more damage than one would think to the rare collection of trees and scrubs at Pine Hollow Arboretum. The storm was much lighter in the Albany, NY area than in other parts of the Northeast with millions without power due to fallen limbs and trees in the Middle Atlantic and New England States. Only three to five inches of wet snow fell on lower elevations, such as the Slingerlands, NY area where Pine Hollow Arboretum is located. As with all natural phenomenon the storm damage gave us the opportunity to learn from it as well as to see once again an illustration of Nature's landscape shaping ability. According to John Abbuhl, although there was significant damage to a number of our large trees, there does not seem to be any fatal blows struck. Although now shaped differently and in some cases topped-off, all the trees are expected to sprout new growth and continue to thrive. Because their needles had not yet dropped there was damage to a number of lower and upper branches on our big metasequoia in The Metasequoia Field and 80% of the tallest Fastigate Bald Cypress broke off. The top of a Sweetgum and a Sourwood that was in beautiful fall foliage were damaged. The Sourwood was about 12ft. high and lost one of its two double trunks. In front of the VISITOR CENTER more than 75% of a hybrid Kousa and American Dogwood broke from the weight of the wet snow.

damage on hybrid of Kousa and American dogwood

Something that John Abbuhl noticed is quite interesting and points out again the specialness of the Pine Hollow Arboretum landscape. John said there was almost no damage to pine or fir branches. He said the White Pine had already had its needle drop with approximately 50% of needles being shed. Blackgum leaves had dropped and that species had almost no damage from the storm. The oak trees are strong and could take the snow weight without breaking branches.
In fact, there was almost no limb loss on native trees. I take that to show the adaptation of the native species had allowed them to better deal with unexpected but not unknown variation in the usual weather patterns. Although we are impressed with the uniqueness and marvel that species from all over the world can survive at Pine Hollow Arboretum. It is also important to recognize these "special visitors" might need special care to keep them healthy and growing.

---Alan Casline

"Fruits of the Fall" Arboretum Tours

"Fruits of the Fall"

Pine Hollow Arboretum Tours will be presented
on the afternoons of Sat Oct 22, Sunday Oct 23, and Sat, Oct 29, 2011

Start time for all of the tours would be 1:00 pm.

MEET AT THE VISTORS CENTER
FOR START OF ALL EVENTS

Pine Hollow Arboretum Visitor Center
16 Maple Avenue
Slingerlands, New York 12159
The tours will all be led by arboretum founder and developer Dr. John Abbuhl

John says the following." hard to be specific, but it will include Pawpaw, Persimmon, Apple, Quince, winter berry holly, and whatever else is in bloom... (magnolia seeds are worth looking at as well)"

Please call ahead if you can to reserve a place (518) 439-6472

Thought is the blossom, language the bud, action the fruit behind.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Fall Festival Open House

THE PINE HOLLOW ARBORETUM


FALL FESTIVAL OPEN HOUSE


SUNDAY, OCT 16th

1-4 PM at 16 Maple Ave

VISITORS CENTER

WE INVITE THE COMMUNITY TO
SHARE THE COLOR AND
BEAUTY OF THE SEASON


AS WE EXTEND A
THANK YOU

TO ARTISTS OF THE CURRENT SHOW

AND

TO MEMBERS FOR THEIR SUPPORT

WITH AN OPEN HOUSE

WITH REFRESHMENTS

ACTIVITES WILL INCLUDE
A SCAVANGER HUNT AND A
TOUR WITH DR. ABBUHL

(weather permitting)