crabapple

It is the season of our own inner and outer landscapes, Wake up and (hopefully) smell the coffee and enjoy what is close to our plant-loving hearts.

After the 26F frost (apres le gel) at Secrest Arboretum on the morning of May 9 there was damage, but still much to enjoy, and far more to come.

The peak for OSU's Secrest Arboretum crabapples arrived this Friday, after which the frostman cometh. See the latest drone of Crablandia

This is Part 2 of some of the plant happenings at Secrest Arboretum in early May of 2020; from the beauty of maple stipules to the ugliness of plum black knot. And a reminder of the joys of observation from Walt Whitman.

Welcome to Ohio State University's Secrest Arboretum. Here is what is happening now in early April.

Frost cracks occur on susceptible plants such as crabapple during rapid temperature fluctuations. This describes such a case.

Crabapple bloom was at its best in Ohio this year. Prolonged in southern Ohio, but compressed but spectacular and late in central and northern Ohio. Check out a few highlights here.

One of the things I ask my Sustainable Landscape Maintenance students at the end of the semester is to expound upon 10 Things They Learned in class. Most of these are the core of the course: including plant selection and knowledge, plant pest, plant maintenance, invasive species examples. Pete Grantham of Akron though, added:

 

  I learn from you so much about living in the moment, talked to me about your hitchhiking [the old days] and how you think it’s fun to run out of gas. These moments that others would consider worrisome are...

  One of the more pleasant e-mails I have received in recent memory was from my friend and colleague Dr. Ling Guo of the Beijing Botanic Gardens. It read: “Jim, would you please come to Beijing for Crabapple Conference in April 14-19 for one hour talk. All expenses paid.  Hmm, let’s see. Yes!  Fortunately, for my talkative nature it turned out to be a bit more than that one hour talk, not including the translations, but what a deal. 

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