Forests & Gardens is the member magazine for Holden Forests & Gardens, which includes the Holden Arboretum in Kirtland and the Cleveland Botanical Garden in Cleveland.
MISSION: Holden Forests & Gardens connects people with the wonder, beauty, and value of trees and plants, to inspire action for healthy communities
VISION: All communities transformed into vibrant places where trees, plants, and people thrive
Editor & Director of Marketing: Jessica Schneider
Editor & Content Manager: David Lardakis
Creative: Eric Seitz, Graphic Designer
Photography: Ian Adams, Bill Hendricks, Malcolm Henoch, Albert Jackson, Ethan Johnson, David Lardakis, Dana Lettl, Tom Masaveg, Bob Perkoski
Forests & Gardens (ISSN 2474-6371) is a class and events magazine published quarterly by Holden Forests & Gardens, 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, Ohio 44094-5172.
Periodicals postage paid at Mentor, Ohio and additional offices.
Postmaster:
Please send address changes to Forests & Gardens Magazine
Holden Forests & Gardens
9500 Sperry Road
Kirtland, Ohio 44094-5172
CELEBRATING A
Year of
Wonder
What an eventful year! We often move so quickly from one thing to the next that we forget to reflect on our experiences and accomplishments. I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge a few highlights from 2024.
Our research and conservation work was featured over a dozen times in the likes of Cleveland.com, Smithsonian Magazine, Ideastream, Bay Journal and more. Our teams continue to excel in their respective fields, producing ground-breaking results because of their passion for a greener future and and because of your philanthropic support.
We received $1.8 million from the US Forest Service that will help empower small scale landowners across the Lake Erie Allegheny Region to create and sustain resilient forests. This funding created the Working Woods Resource Hub at Holden Arboretum, which will offer landowners technical assistance, locally adapted native trees and climate-smart forest management plans.
Our two campuses welcomed nearly 350,000 visitors, engaging them with thoughtful exhibitions and experiences, educational opportunities, and captivating landscapes. We will continue to refine our offerings to connect our communities with the wonder, beauty and value of plants and trees.
On Friday, Sept. 13th, we held our annual benefit at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. This year’s Harvest Moon event
raised over $171,000 to support the mission of Holden Forests & Gardens. Thank you to all who supported this event and all who enjoyed a magical evening in the gardens with us.
As we transition into another magical season — winter in Northeast Ohio — our desire to interact with the natural world around us doesn’t need to fade. Cleveland Botanical Garden is a plant paradise, serving as a year-round oasis. Holden Arboretum remains a hiking and birding wonderland all year long. I encourage you to embrace and enjoy this time of year using our two campuses as a starting point!
Don’t forget! Frost: An Ice-Capped Garden Experience presented by KeyBank returns bigger and better in year two. Explore more lighted gardens, more activities for the young ones and an enhanced immersive experience complete with plants, wildlife and mystical creatures. Read more about this year’s offerings on pages 6 and 7.
Let’s enjoy the wonder and beauty of the season together! I hope to see you at the Holden Arboretum or Cleveland Botanical Garden this winter.
Cheers,
Ed Moydell President & CEO
A Beautiful Year
As we look back on the year, enjoy these photos taken by fellow members!
An early autumn day exploring Hershey Children's Garden Beth G.
Phlox paniculata, ‘Twister’ Lydia H.
Zinnia elegans, 'Zinderella Lilac' Lydia H.
Rose macro shot Dave C.
Kelley F.
Want to be featured in a future issue?
Make sure to tag us in your photos.
Instagram: @clebotanicalgarden, @holden_arb
Facebook: @cbgarden, @holdenarb
Wood shavings, leaves, and sticks become berries, bread, and fish for these wild and free homeschoolers imagining life in the woods.
Tradescantia virginiana, Common spiderwort Michelle K.
Echinacea purpurea, purple coneflower Tang W.
Helianthus maximiliani, Maximilian sunflower Cynthia G.
Butterfly Garden at Holden Arboretum Cynthia G.
Euglossine bee and vanilla orchid sculpture at Pollinator Express Morgan V.
What’s Winter Without Wonder?
Don’t miss the fun when Frost returns to Cleveland Botanical Garden this season.
Frost presented by KeyBank returns to the Cleveland Botanical Garden, so bundle up and bring the whole family to our enchanting winter wonderland.
New this Year
Explore our expanded outdoor light display, decorated glasshouses, and new activities for the kids.
Local musicians and performers grace our late nights with whimsy and festive melodies to complement our winter wonderland. Show staples such as our Annual Gingerbread Competition and Garden Club Trees & Wreaths continue to bring inspiration and beauty.
Special events such as Breakfast with Santa, Krampusnaucht and Storytime with Santa have returned in all their wintry glory.
Saturday, Nov. 23 through Sunday, Jan. 5
HOURS
Tues., Wed.: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Thurs., Fri., Sat.: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Sun.: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Mon.: Closed*
SPECIAL HOURS
Nov. 25, Member Night 4 - 8 p.m.
Nov. 28, Closed - Thanksgiving
Dec. 22, noon - 9 p.m.
Dec. 23, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Dec. 24, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Christmas Eve
Dec. 25, Closed - Christmas Day
Dec. 29, noon - 9 p.m.
Dec. 30, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Dec. 31, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., New Year’s Eve
Jan. 1, Closed, New Year’s Day
ADMISSION
FROST ENTERTAINMENT
JB Cirque Performers on Fridays, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Musical Performances on Saturdays, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Cleveland Institute of Music on Sundays, 3 – 5 p.m.
FROST EVENTS
Krampus Night with Ohio Krampus Society
December 7, 6 - 8:30 p.m.
TICKETS: Nonmember $32, Member $20
The mischievous and mysterious folklore of Krampus comes to life amidst the wintery wonder of the garden, blending eerie excitement with seasonal cheer!
Advance registration required. Your ticket purchase supports the Ohio Hands & Voices charity.
Storytime with Santa
December 8, 10 a.m. - Noon
TICKETS: Visit holdenfg.org
Read a seasonal tale with Santa, then get your picture taken with the man himself. Crafts and light refreshments will be provided.
Breakfast with Santa
Sundays, 12/15 & 12/22, 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. seatings
TICKETS: Visit holdenfg.org
Join us for a magical breakfast experience! Look forward to a special visit from Santa himself as he stops by each table. You'll have plenty of time to take photos with Santa after he's made his rounds, ensuring everyone gets a memorable moment during each seating.
ART ON DISPLAY
Zackary Hoon, Guren Gallery
Zackary Zoon uses infared photography to capture the beauty at our campuses. This type of photography is aesthetically surreal, making sunny summer days look like they’re encased in ice. A perfect companion for Frost!
Conserving Our Forests
Learn about our forest restoration work and efforts to accelerate young forests
to old-growth.
By Albert Jackson and Beck Swab
Forests in Ohio have experienced major changes in the last ~250 years years. European settlers displaced Native Americans and created farmland out of what were originally mostly forested lands. This meant mass clearcutting of thousands of acres of mature forests. Towering oaks and cherry trees became building material for houses and furniture, and the nutrient packed soils that once sustained colossal stands of centuries old trees became prime locations for growing crops and raising livestock. By the turn of the 20th century most of Ohio’s forested lands were clearcut.
However, after World War II many soldiers never returned to their farms. This led to the abandonment of some farmlands, especially marginally producing fields. By the 1950’s many agricultural fields in Ohio were abandoned, and forests returned- from 10% cover in the 1930s to about 30% today!
Impact on Regenerating Forests
These forests are not the same as they were before clearcutting and agriculture. Most of the regenerating forest consists of very few tree species growing closely together, often the offspring of the trees which remained at the edge of farm fields to serve as property markers and shade for livestock. These trees are referred to as wolf trees as they were thought to dominate too much space and resources like how wolves were believed to be harmful for the same reason. Wolf trees typically have large multiple stemmed trunks, with branches sprawling out to take advantage of a lack of competition and abundant access to sunlight. Farmers often would pile stones from their crop fields around wolf trees to keep their land
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Albert Jackson serves as a technician in the Conservation Department at the arboretum campus. As a conservation technician Albert spends a lot of time in Holden’s natural areas where he performs various tasks including invasive species management, forest health improvement, ecological surveys, and nature photography. He is dedicated to keeping Holden’s natural areas healthy and beautiful.
A “wolf tree,” which grew in open sun at the edge of a farm field before the field was turned in forest. Piles of stones left by farmers from the field
clear. These trees and stone piles remain today, as an indicator of past land use. If you come across a tree much larger than the rest of the forest, surrounded by stones, there is a good chance the area was used for agricultural purposes in the past.
Two thirds of Ohio’s forests are young, regenerating from agriculture, and while most of them might appear like forests in that they have full coverage of trees, due to their lack of diversity and the close growth of the young trees which all sprouted at the same time, they are very slow growing and not resilient to pests and disease. They also tend to lack spring wildflowers- instead they are often clogged with invasive species.
Forest Management Techniques
Here at the Holden Arboretum our conservation and community forestry departments are restoring our young forests, improving their health, diversity, and growth rate. To do this, we are performing a management technique called thinning on over 300 acres of second-growth forests within the natural areas. Our goal is to accelerate natural processes to help the forest return to a healthy state much faster than it would without intervention. The process of thinning starts with the removal of some of the previously mentioned low diversity trees that are growing too closely together- focusing on trees with multiple stems, as they are likely to become damaged and never reach full maturity. We also remove over-abundant species (often sugar maples) to favor neighboring trees of less common species.
For larger diameter trees, instead of felling them completely we will girdle them- which is a process that removes the bark
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and cambium in a ring around the trunk of a tree, blocking nutrients from flowing up into the crown. Girdling a tree allows it to remain in place as a dead snag to serve as habitat for birds, insects, and other important wildlife.
This creates gaps, allowing the neighboring trees to grow larger and young trees to sprout. Unfortunately, invasive species can also take advantage of these canopy gaps. Invaders like multiflora rose, buckthorn, privet, and barberry outcompete the desired trees and herbaceous plants we would want to occupy our new gaps. To fight these invaders, we couple our thinning work with invasive species removal. Years of diligent work are often needed to suppress these invasive species in our recovering forests.
Another strategy we utilize to help make our forests healthier is propagating and planting diverse native trees and shrubs. Planting species like spicebush and dogwoods in the canopy gaps alongside trees helps cultivate a native understory environment providing ideal habitat for nesting birds and other wildlife.
Protecting Future Forests
After the removal of over abundant low-quality trees, the longterm control of invasive species, and the planting of trees and shrubs, our forests are on the fast track to returning to a healthy old-growth state. HF&G celebrates our many successes in our forest restoration projects and will continue to monitor the health and progress of our hard work. If you are interested in seeing for yourself the processes of thinning and forest restoration keep an eye out for tours and programs at our Working Woods natural area which offers excellent examples of regenerating forests.
Beck Swab is the Director of Conservation & Community Forestry at Holden Forest and Gardens. In this role, Beck’s goal is to serve as a bridge between conservation managers, researchers, policy makers, and the public to improve conservation efforts.
In a dense cluster of trees, a tulip poplar tree was chosen to be girdled, killing it to open up space for more desired trees to grow more quickly
Polyhouse full of propagated trees to be planted within the natural areas, replacing invasive species
Engaging the Community
Holden Forests & Gardens encourages people to learn about the process of maintaining plant health.
Community Engagement, led by Community Engagement Coordinator Tom Masaveg, has been a rewarding initiative that's rapidly transformed over recent years. Across the organization, engagement is a shared passion that presents a wide variety of opportunities for extending the reach of HF&G's mission into the daily lives of greater Clevelanders. Masaveg's work is divided among three specific categories of approach. Those categories are special interest workshops, public events and civic programs.
The goal of community engagement is to help people see how beneficial plants and trees are to their everyday lives. By meeting people where they already are, Tom and a small team of supporting facilitators spread this knowledge to local preschools, senior centers, libraries and other communityoriented organizations. These activities often involve planting seeds or repotting indoor plants. During that process, participants learn common needs that plants and people share. They also explore ways of determining when needs are being met or not. This approach to living with plants promotes a more interactive sensibility toward them that encourages empathy and helps regulate mood.
Community events like resource fairs and festivals are energetic settings where HF&G typically engages the public. A few different table setups offer useful information in friendly doses. Tree cookie crafts, made from a slice of wood that you could string and hang as an ornament, are a crowd favorite. Participants of all ages can count the rings to guess the age of a tree cookie, identify which rings represent rainy growth seasons, and make guesses about what stressors might disrupt the growth of a healthy tree ring.
Volunteers and staff members alike engage with staggering numbers of people at community events. They distribute information about how people can further engage with both HF&G campuses. Particularly valuable to many families are the free family passes, which are designed to encourage visitation from people who wouldn't otherwise get that opportunity.
Healthy Trees, Healthy Community
The main civic program offered by HF&G is called "Healthy Trees, Healthy Community." It's offered in partnership with The Mayor's Office of Prevention, Intervention & Opportunity for Youth and Young Adults. This program engages young people and their families in various activities that develop resilience. Participants plant and maintain placemaking gardens in their neighborhoods that activate safe outdoor spaces and foster a sense of belonging. Registrants also enter community exhibitions at the Cuyahoga County Fair, including a new terrarium category sponsored by Cleveland Botanical Garden. They make nature-inspired crafts, play environmental education games, and even make herbal self-care products that they give to charity at community potlucks. HF&G is committed to supporting our local communities through nature-based education and engagement.
The Science of Snow
Uncovering winter’s secrets at the Holden Arboretum.
By Anna Funk
Asnow-covered forest might seem a setting better suited for a greeting card or Robert Frost poem than a scientific research study. But understanding the dynamics of winter snowfall and how they affect the forest ecosystem can be as critical as studying the growing season. And as climate change accelerates, this winter work is becoming even more important. That’s why scientists at Holden Forests & Gardens are using the snowy woods at the Arboretum to conduct a flurry of research that will advance understanding of our forests, now and into the future.
Snow’s Role in the Forest Snow isn’t just a by-product of cold weather; it serves critical roles in winter ecosystems. It acts as a natural insulator, protecting life underground — roots, soil organisms and hibernating mammals — from extreme temperatures. This insulation prevents the soil from freezing too deeply, important for the decomposition of leaf litter and in turn the availability of nutrients to trees and other plants. Snow also stores moisture over the winter, melting in spring as plants reawaken. Researchers have even used isotopes to track where forest snowmelt ends up, finding that much of the water that trees transpire when they put out their leaves in spring comes from winter snowmelt.
A team of Holden researchers, including David Burke, VP for Science and Conservation, and research associate Sarah
Carrino-Kyker, examined soil fungal communities in Stebbins Gulch and how they respond to their environment, including snow cover. Over five years, the team collected 1,080 soil samples to study the fungi living beneath Holden’s old-growth beech-maple forest.
The team is interested in these soil fungal communities because of the critical role they play in litter decomposition and nutrient cycling in forests. Many of these fungi also form intimate partnerships with plant roots and assist plants in nutrient uptake. “Changes in snow depth, and the degree of soil freezing, could disrupt these soil fungi and lead to changes in nutrient uptake and loss from the forest in snow melt,” says Burke. “That could lead to reduced plant growth and more nutrient export into streams and rivers, affecting the health of water bodies — even Lake Erie.”
During the study, published in the journal Ecosphere, the team found that while climate factors like temperature play a role in fungal community structure, soil chemistry — specifically phosphorus availability — is a stronger determinant of fungal diversity. In other words, more changes to soil nutrients mean more variety in fungal species. That said, they did find some influence of fluctuating soil temperatures on fungi, even though snow cover was relatively consistent during the study. This suggests that as snow cover becomes less reliable due to climate change, we may begin to see more dramatic changes in the belowground communities.
Snow, Intercepted
Not all the snow that falls reaches the forest floor. This snow interception — when snow gets caught in tree branches and never hits the ground — is a critical but understudied phenomenon, especially in broadleaf forests like Holden’s Bole
David Burke checking the snow gauge at one of the long-term research plots
Sarah Carrino-Kyker sampling soil under snow
Woods. Holden ecologists are working with eco-hydrologist John Van Stan, associate professor at Cleveland State University, to learn more about it.
When it comes to snow interception, “people tend to focus on needleleaf forests, like those in boreal regions, because the snow building up there is more visible,” Van Stan says. “But we’re finding that even in broadleaf forests, trees can have a meaningful influence on how much snow makes it to the ground.”
To better understand snowpack dynamics, Van Stan and his team installed sonic depth finders throughout Bole Woods in fall 2023. These devices measure snow depth using sound waves to determine how much snow is present in the snowpack. These data, along with temperature and humidity data collected by sensors on each device, can then be used to calculate how much water will eventually melt and replenish the forest’s water supply.
The Once and Future Climate
Van Stan’s research is also valuable in the context of climate change. Northeast Ohio, with its proximity to Lake Erie, is in a unique position when it comes to winter weather. The region experiences significant lake-effect snow, but changing atmospheric conditions could alter where and how much snow falls in the future.
“We’re in this strange spot,” Van Stan explained. “With climate change, Holden could see more snow, but there’s also a chance the lake-effect snow will shift north and east, leaving us with less. We don’t fully know yet.”
Van Stan’s team is prepared for either scenario. By monitoring snowpack in the forest, they will capture detailed data about how snow dynamics change over time. These data won’t only improve our understanding of Ohio forests; they may improve larger-scale climate models as well.
“When it comes to climatology and forests, there are very limited data on interception of snow — one common model parameterization of snow storage is based on just two saplings from Idaho during two storms in 1967,” Van Stan explained. “With the data on hardwood snow interception we’re collecting, a good snowy winter could really put Holden on the map. Global climate models could improve using data from Holden.”
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Left, a weather station; right, a snow gauge at one of the long-term research plots.
Building Resilient Forests
As climate change brings uncertainty, Holden is committed to using its research to guide forest management practices. By understanding how snow is changing and how it affects the forest, Holden can better predict how our forests will respond to future climate conditions and ensure they remain resilient.
For example, forest managers might consider interventions that optimize snow capture beneath the canopy, ensuring trees get the water they need during the early growing season. Understanding snowpack variability can also guide decisions about how to maintain healthy soil microbial communities, which play a key role in forest health. While we can’t control how much snow falls, we can manage forests in ways that make them more adaptable to changing conditions.
Science for a Changing World
Though snow may seem like a passive player in the winter landscape, it plays an active and essential role in forest ecosystems. From water dynamics to nutrient cycling, snow influences every aspect of forest health. Through their cuttingedge research, Holden Forests & Gardens is helping to unlock the mysteries of snow and forest ecology, providing insights that will help protect these vital ecosystems in a changing climate. As we face an uncertain future, Holden’s work ensures that we will have the knowledge and tools necessary to keep our forests thriving — whether there’s snow or no snow.
Anna Funk is the Science Communication Specialist for Holden Forests & Gardens. She earned her Ph.D. studying prairie restoration before leaving the research world to help tell scientists’ stories. Today, she wears many hats, freelancing as a writer, editor, journalist and more — anything that lets her share her appreciation of science and its impact with others.
Giving with Deep Roots
Find out what your gift means to Holden Forests & Gardens. By Kim Howard
As a volunteer tram driver, Mike Logsdon got to know the Holden Arboretum well, steering cartloads of visitors through garden and woodland path. His expertise evolved to include a facilities operations role, embedded with staff at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. When profound loss struck both Mike and his cousin David within a period of months, they turned to Holden Forests & Gardens as the place to establish a memorial, Logsdon Pond; and to support budding researchers and environmental leaders by funding an ambitious student in HF&G’s internship program. His deep ties and experiences motivated Mike to include HF&G in his estate plans, ensuring that his connection and commitment to our mission will make an impact for generations to come.
Often, we give back because of a deep sense of place. Certain trees, plants and beloved destinations inspire us and keep us rooted. Perhaps roses or lilacs recall our grandmother’s garden. Or a great old tree — steadfast across changing decades — brings wellbeing and memories. Like Mike, each of us has our own unique connections to places of serenity. Considering Holden Forests &
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Gardens as you make your philanthropic plans can help secure a thriving future for trees, plants and loved ones in many ways.
Whether you make a gift now or for the years ahead, you ensure that your vision for the future lives on. Your contribution provides long-lasting support for Holden Forests & Gardens and can offer financial benefits to you as well. You could consider a bequest of money, donor-advised funds, or other assets through your will, benefiting Cleveland Botanical Garden, the Holden Arboretum or both. A gift of appreciated stock furthers our mission while helping you avoid or reduce taxes. If you are 70 ½ or older, giving directly from your IRA is another way to give while reducing taxable income and potentially satisfying your annual required minimum distribution. HF&G can also be a designated beneficiary of your retirement account through your estate plans.
Your generosity will preserve HF&G’s campuses as places to feel truly rooted for generations to come. Learn more at holdenfglegacygiving.org or reach out directly to Kim Howard at khoward@holdenfg.org or 216-707-2834.
Kim Howard is Director of Individual Giving at Holden Forests & Gardens, joining the staff this year from Houston, Texas. She has 25+ years of development experience in higher education, public broadcasting, and museums. She loves spending time in all types of cultural institutions and is in awe of Cleveland’s deep spirit of philanthropy.
VOLUNTEERS CREATE Community FOR LEADERS
Volunteers build support and opportunities through volunteer leadership.
By Tracee Patterson
For the past three years, Volunteer Resources has been exploring a new approach to engaging volunteers, in response to organizational needs and emerging trends in volunteerism. Our goal was to create three Volunteer Communities that can better accommodate the ways that volunteers want to share their time with us. We launched Cultivate Community in 2021, which is designed for new volunteers or for those looking for meaningful but short-term ways to help. Partner Community followed in 2022, designed for volunteers interested in providing ongoing support or assisting in more advanced positions.
Introducing…Lead Community!
In 2023, we convened a team of six volunteers to define and create our third volunteer community, Lead Community. Team members included Mary Ann Negenborn, Yvonne Morbitzer, Bill McFadden, Diya Swain, James Wineinger and Tony Barabani, who brought a combined total of 44 years and 5,773 hours of volunteering at Holden Forests & Gardens. We tasked the group with assessing the needs and imagining the possibilities for volunteer leadership at HF&G. Through months of after-hours meetings, countless emails and virtual collaborations — they did exactly that.
The team examined our current deployment of volunteers and discovered that informal volunteer leadership was already happening. They then surveyed 93 volunteers and conducted personal interviews with 37 staff and Leadership Team members. The results demonstrated strong support for additional leadership opportunities. “When we started, we weren’t sure if volunteers wanted to take on lead roles, would be comfortable taking direction from a fellow volunteer — or even whether HFG staff saw a need for such roles,” notes Tony. “So it was heartening to discover that all parties involved not only saw the value of volunteer leadership but wanted to move forward on the idea so enthusiastically.”
The team quickly went to work, with Tony and Mary Ann facilitating a volunteer SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis in support of HF&G’s strategic planning process. They collected and prepared a summary of the 35 participants’ responses and submitted them to leadership for consideration.
James and Diya began developing volunteer opportunities that appealed to teens and families. “This would be beneficial to HF&G because of the number of colleges and schools we have nearby, whose students would love to give back to the Cleveland area,” observed Diya. She and James helped devise All Play Volunteer Days where people of all ages could “try out” volunteering at HF&G. Participants helped build trails at the Arboretum, conducted an “extreme clean” makeover in the Botanical Garden biomes, harvested seeds in the Working Woods area and more. Thus far, over 50 newcomers have assisted in All Play activities, with several going on to join us as regular HF&G volunteers.
Yvonne and Bill addressed the most frequently-mentioned idea from the staff interviews — lead volunteers to help manage volunteer groups or teams. They drafted a “Point Volunteer” position and piloted it with corporate volunteer groups. The results were so successful that Point Volunteers have expanded into several other departments, bringing on additional lead volunteers.
We are delighted by the advancement of volunteer leadership in helping to build the capacity of our staff and improve the experience of our volunteers. “Being a part of this has allowed me to meet so many fascinating members of our volunteer community,” Diya shares, “and I’m excited about finding other ways to bring our volunteers’ skills and talents to HF&G.”
We’re excited, too.
From left: Ricky Hawari, Danya Swain, Sobha Patro, Tanmay Kurkute, Shaiv Mistry, Diya Swain, and Camryn Dozier following their ALL PLAY "Green Teens" Volunteer Day in the biomes at Cleveland Botanical Garden.
Purple Finch
Haemorhous purpureus
By Rebecca Thompson, Education Manager at Holden Arboretum
Purple finches inhabit a variety of forested areas across North America. They are primarily found in mixed and coniferous forests, but during winter, they often migrate to deciduous woodlands, orchards and suburban areas where they can find abundant food sources. They prefer dense forests with a rich understory that provides ample cover and nesting sites in their breeding range. They breed in Ohio, but their breeding range is restricted to the northeastern quarter of the state.
Purple finches have a diverse diet that consists mainly of seeds, berries and insects. During the breeding season, they feed heavily on insects such as caterpillars, beetles and spiders, which provide essential protein for the growing young. In the non-breeding season, their diet shifts to seeds from trees like elms, maples, tulips and hawthorns, including Cratagus viridis, green hawthorn. You can learn more about ‘Winter King’ green hawthorn on the opposite page! They are also known to frequent bird feeders for sunflower seeds.
Breeding for purple finches begins in late spring. Males establish territories through songs. Courtship involves the males dancing on one foot, fluffing feathers and holding twigs in their beaks. Once paired, females select the nest site.
Female purple finches construct the nest using twigs, grasses and rootlets, lining it with softer materials such as feathers and animal hair. The nest is typically placed on a horizontal branch 5 to 60 feet above ground, well concealed from predators. Females lay 3 to 5 light blue finely speckled eggs, which are incubated for about 13 to 14 days. After hatching, both parents participate in feeding the chicks, which fledge approximately two weeks after hatching. The young depend on their parents for food and protection for several weeks post-fledging.
Partners in Flight estimates the global breeding population of purple finches at 6.5 million. They are currently classified as Least Concern, indicating a stable population. However, purple
BIRD FACTS
SIZE: 5-6 inches
WINGSPAN: 8-10 inches
DESCRIPTION: Male: Raspberry head, breast and back | Female: Brown overall with a streaked breast whitish eyebrow
RANGE: Found East and West coasts, as well as across Canada and the Northeastern United States; Year-round eastern US and west coast; Breeding across Canada
VOICE: Fast rise and fall warbling song
CALL: Low metallic tik
BEST LOCATION TO VIEW: Arboretum: Conifer Collection
finches face several threats that could impact their numbers, including habitat loss due to deforestation and competition with the introduced House Finch. Conservation efforts focus on preserving and managing forest habitats, particularly in breeding and wintering areas, to ensure the species continues to thrive. Monitoring populations and studying their ecology further helps in developing effective conservation strategies.
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Rebecca Thompson is the Education Manager at Holden Forests & Gardens and has dedicated her career (1999 – present) to school-aged children and life-long learners. Her enthusiasm for the natural world has kindled a sense of exploration, discovery and a deeper appreciation for the environment. Her passion for bird watching drove her to become a self-taught local bird expert. She has served as President on local boards, including Blackbrook Audubon Society and Cleveland Regional Council of Science Teachers.
Green Hawthorn
Crataegus viridis
By Ethan Johnson, Plant Records Curator
Native to the southeastern and southcentral U.S. primarily in old fields, pastures, and forest margins in bottomlands and coastal plains. Green hawthorn is a highly adaptable species having value to pollinators and as winter food for songbirds such as robins and cedar waxwings.
White flowers (1/3 – 1/2” wide, in 2” clusters) appear in May after the leaves for a week or two. Fruit (1/4 – 1/3” diam.) is showy orange-red October-November, persisting through most of winter. Fruits fall mostly by March but may be consumed by flocks of birds. Leaves (2 - 3 ½” long) are a lustrous dark green, turning dull yellow with occasional orange-red highlights October to early November. Green hawthorn is available at nurseries or garden centers as ‘ Winter King’, a cultivar selected by Simpson Nursery Co., Vincennes, Indiana and introduced in 1955 primarily for its more consistent and showy fruit display and greater resistance to infection of its leaves by rust. Like other green hawthorns, it is nearly thornless except when young.
‘Winter King’ green hawthorn may be found at Cleveland Botanical Garden in the Gateway Garden crescent bed above the parking garage entrance. Two trees planted in 2003 now measure about 20’ tall by 27’ wide. ‘Winter King’ is also in the Crabapple Grove northwest of the Butterfly Garden at Holden Arboretum where it was planted in 1967 when it was purchased from Simpson Nursery and now measures 30’ x 43’. About 160’ northeast of that specimen an 80-year-old green
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hawthorn purchased from the now defunct Kohankie Nursery in Painesville, Ohio. It is fruitless this year and frequently has an underwhelming fruit display. Hawthorns are self-fertile and often set viable seed without being pollinated (apomixis).
See Green Hawthorn on our campuses. It can be found at Cleveland Botanical Garden in the Gateway Garden crescent bed above the parking garage entrance and at Holden Arboretum in the Crabapple Grove northwest of the Butterfly Garden.
Green hawthorn leaves are larval food for swallowtail butterfly, striped hairstreak, and moths such as the cecropia. Like other members of the rose family, it provides food for numerous insects so you will often see small songbirds such as warblers feeding on them amongst its handsome branches. This hawthorn is particularly tough and adaptable to seasonally wet heavy soils and moderate drought conditions. It requires a site that receives sun most of the day. It may be planted in spring or fall with equally high success. ‘ Winter King’ green hawthorn is a resilient small tree appropriate for rural, suburban and urban landscapes in Northeast Ohio.
Ethan Johnson is the Plant Records Curator. He learned to keep records while working for the Arnold Arboretum (1985-89) and Holden Arboretum (1981-82, 1989-present) while volunteering for the International Dendrological Research Institute, Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association Plant Selection Committee and the American Conifer Society. He was the point person when the American Association of Museums accredited Holden Arboretum as the sixth public garden in the U.S. as a museum, has labeled and inventoried Holden Arboretum’s plant collection and has been keeping plant records at Cleveland Botanical Garden since 2015.
Birding BASICS
Find out how you can make the most of winter’s lack of foliage to start birding at Holden Arboretum and home.
By Dana Lettl, Family & Youth Engagement Coordinator
As winter throws a quiet blanket across our region, it is tempting to think that nature slows down for a long respite. Though this may be true for some parts of our ecosystem, there’s plenty of activity soaring between our trees.
Birdwatching is an accessible and hands-on way for families to engage with our winter landscapes. Though some birds move south to escape the cold, many familiar birds are waiting to be discovered in your backyard.
Winter birding
With trees abandoning their foliage for the season, winter is the perfect time to become familiar with some of Ohio’s most common feathered friends. Birds like chickadees, nuthatches, cardinals and woodpeckers are often easier to spot on bare trees. Families can kickstart their learning by placing bird feeders in their backyard and observing any visitors. Start by observing different birds’ behaviors. Where do they perch? Do they prefer a certain type of seed? How do different species interact with each other? Encourage young explorers to keep a journal with their observations.
Utilizing resources such as bird guides or smartphone apps will help you identify unfamiliar birds Once identified, you can observe behaviors that vary by species, such as seed preference and behaviors.
Hanging Ice Bird Feeders
Start your birding indoors this season by creating your bird feeders. Fill empty muffin tins with bird seeds such as sunflower, thistle and peanuts, and fill the tins with water. Add a string to the containers before freezing. Once frozen, hang your bird feeder ice ornament from a tree near your window for bird viewing from the comfort of your home. You can add fresh berries and fruit, such as cranberries, to your ornaments before freezing for an extra special treat.
Winter Bird Count
Once you and your family are confident in your birding skills, consider participating in a Winter Bird Count. The Great Backyard Bird Count is a free and easy way to participate in some citizen science right in your own yard. Contributors — including you! — set out to identify many bird species and individual birds during President’s Day weekend in February.
Participants record their results after as little as 15 minutes of observation and can submit their findings to the global recording through Cornell Lab. Contributing to this project enhances your learning and allows your whole family to be a part of global bird conservation efforts.
Birding at Holden Arboretum
Don’t have space for a bird feeder at your home? No worries! Holden Arboretum’s Buckeye Buds Adventure Woods has regularly stocked feeders through winter. Grab a pair of binoculars and get out there! Feeders are stocked from early December through March to support our bird populations through the winter.
If you are eagerly awaiting the return of some beloved waterfowl in February, visit the Roberta Bole Bird Blind (pictured below) located on Corning Lake to observe a variety of geese, ducks and migrant birds who are returning north for the season.
Winter birding is a great way to keep your family engaged with the natural world during a period of rest for much of our ecosystems. With a little patience and a good pair of binoculars, your family will reveal the awe to be found in any season.
Orchids Forever at the Cleveland Botanical Garden returns Valentine’s Day 2025 February 14 – March 30
PETAL
MEET THE Orchid
The orchid is Earth’s ultimate example of resilience. The first orchids appeared about 112 million years ago and have since undergone transformative adaptations that resulted in the most diverse group of plants in the world. Nearly 30,000 unique species are present today.
Identity Crisis - How many petals does an orchid have? The answer may surprise you! Although it looks like there are six, all orchids have three petals. The “petals” in the back of the flower are modified sepals (structures that protect the flower during the bud stage). The lip at the bottom of the flower is a special petal for attracting pollinators, often with alluring colors and shapes.
A Long Nap - Don’t give up on an orchid after it flowers! Most orchids go through an annual cycle of dormancy, growth and reproduction. Each species has different lengths and cues for these phases. Some plants even need to grow new leaves or pseudobulbs before they reflower. If your orchid at home doesn’t seem to be doing much, it might just be dormant! Continue caring for your plant, and your patience will be rewarded!
Running on Orchid Time - Orchids can take 5-7 years to bloom once they have germinated, and those blooms might last for only a few hours or persist for months, depending on the species. Some orchids can live up to a century.
Color or No Color? - Why would a flower be white? White is bright at night. White orchids are pollinated by the night shift: Nocturnal moths. Look closely at a white orchid and you might find an extra-long nectar spur protruding out the back. These are adapted so that only a hawk moth — with its ultra-long proboscis — will stop by for a nectar snack. Look for spurs on a Darwin’s orchid (Angraecum sesquipedale) or ghost orchid (Dendrophylax lindenii) and imagine a moth the size of a hummingbird taking a drink.
Ohio Orchids - Did you know that Ohio has 47 native species of orchids? Of those orchids, half of them are species of concern, threatened, endangered or extirpated (no longer present in Ohio). At least 10 native orchids grow on Holden Forests & Gardens properties.
Ohio orchids face similar threats that other orchids around the world encounter. Many of Ohio’s orchids grow in the most conspicuous of places, like a patch of the shaded forest floor or an open meadow. That land could be sold to developers to build homes, shopping centers and parking lots. Ohio’s orchids are also affected by climate change and subject to harvesting by hobbyists.
Tiny Trailblazers
Creative Connections
Summer Fun FOR KIDS
Holden Forests & Gardens will be offering immersive, nature-focused summer camps conveniently located at the Holden Arboretum and Cleveland Botanical Garden.
Eco-Voyagers
Community Connections
Led by expert staff members, our programs are designed to spark creativity and build appreciation of the natural world around us. Come hike, learn and be engaged with the wonders of Northeast Ohio.
Registration for summer camps will be available January 2. Visit holdenfg.org
Holden Arboretum
Holden Arboretum
Cleveland Botanical Garden
Cleveland Botanical Garden
Classes&Events
Sugar & Spice Holiday Treat Workshop
Join us on December 14th at the Holden Arboretum for a series of engaging and delicious holiday treats and cocktail making workshops. Select from three seasonal sessions — a craft coffee and chocolate tea tasting, crafting a signature holiday cocktail and cookie making tips and tricks. After your session, check out the Corning Visitor Center retail store for unique holiday gifts while enjoying the sounds of a live harpist and complementary gift wrapping. Advance registration for workshops is required.
Little Mountain Hike
January 11 & February 23, 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Age: Adult
$12 per member, $22 per nonmember
Carvers Pond Hike
February 1, 1 - 5 p.m.
Age: Adult, 21
$12 per member, $22 per nonmember
Folk Stories and Herbal Traditions of Evergreens
February 8, 10 a.m. – noon
Age: Adult
$35 per member, $50 per nonmember
Star-Crossed Lovers: Wine & Stargazing
February 13, 7 – 9 p.m.
Age: Adult, 21+
$30 per member, $40 per nonmember
Stebbins Gulch Hike
March 23, 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Age: Adult
$12 per member, $22 per nonmember
Conservation Career Camp
March 23rd through March 25th
$185 per person
High schoolers curious about careers in conservation will explore work that sustains our ecosystems. Visit holdenfg.org for more info.
House Plants 101
January 11, 10:30 a.m. – noon
Age: Adult
$20 per member, $25 per nonmember
House Plants 102
January 25, 10:30 a.m. – noon
Age: Adult
$20 per member, $25 per nonmember
Orchid Care 101
February 19 & 22 , 10 – 11:30 a.m., 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Age: Adult
$25 per member, $40 per nonmember
Behind-the-Scenes
Orchid Photography
February 23, 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Age: Adult
$80 per member, $120 per nonmember
Specialty Orchid Care
February 26, 9 – 11:30 a.m.
Age: Adult
$37 per member, $52 per nonmember
Orchids of Ohio
March 1, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Age: Adult
$10 per member, $25 per nonmember
JOIN US VIRTUALLY
House Plant Q&A
January 9
7 – 8 p.m.
Age: Adult
$10 per member, $15 per nonmember
Plants at War: A History
January 14
7 – 8 p.m.
Age: Adult Free for members, $10 per nonmember
Introduction to Japanese Gardens
March 7
noon – 1 p.m.
Age: Adult
$10 per member, $15 per nonmember
Ask an Orchid Doctor
February 15
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Age: Adult Free
Holden Arboretum
Cleveland Botanical Garden
9500 Sperry Road
Kirtland, Ohio 44094
holdenfg.org
Forests & Gardens is the member magazine for Holden Forests & Gardens, which includes the Holden Arboretum in Kirtland and the Cleveland Botanical Garden in Cleveland.
MISSION: Holden Forests & Gardens connects people with the wonder, beauty, and value of trees and plants, to inspire action for healthy communities
VISION: All communities transformed into vibrant places where trees, plants, and people thrive
