Rain in the forecast may seem like a bummer for fall visits to the Arboretum, but predictable rainfall in combination with the still-warm soil temperatures makes it a really good time to plant trees! And, that’s exactly what Hoyt’s nature educators did this month.
Nature educators lead youth programs at Hoyt Arboretum, including school field trips, Pop Up Nature!, and other drop-in family programs. Under the tutelage of PP&R staff member, Brett Rousseau, they added 2 tulip trees (Liriodendron tulipifera) to the collection. Earning full marks on the job, Brett notes “they were excellent students, and I could tell they were really dedicated to providing the trees with a strong foundation–just like they do with children on field trips!”
About their experience Chelsea shared, “it was beautiful to take the time to learn the method and do the planting properly. The hole needed to be way bigger than I would have thought, and what I really loved was teasing out the roots. We really got to see how strong the roots were, and could make sure they could really extend in the ground.”
For plants that are frost tolerant, fall is the right time establish strong roots so they are ready to grow when spring and summer roll around again.
“Another cool thing that happened,” Chelsea continued, “is that we came across a HUGE root while we were digging, from another tulip tree nearby. What I really appreciated was that we were directed to work around it, so Catherine, Sam, and I ended up using that root as the crown of the mound of our hole, and dug deep underneath so the roots of the new tulip tree could dangle underneath. Now we can picture them growing strong independently, but nearby.”
The team got the full Hoyt Arboretum tree-planting experience including documentation. Using a rangefinder they found the distance of their trees from the nearest marker post, and the coordinates will now show up in our plant database.
“I’m so glad we were able to do this planting together as a team,” Chelsea said, “afterwards, we looked at each other and it was understood that we are family now and the tree was our baby.”
Hoyt Arboretum’s nature educators engage with thousands of students on field trips every year. The more they connect with the tree collection, the more they can foster that connection with the next generation of forest stewards.
Read more about tulip trees, and why we are planting more of them at Hoyt Arboretum in Midwood: Some Climate Optimism.