Annual NEWPORT RBORETUM VOLUME 2 | APRIL 2013
T HE N EWPORT T REE S OCIETY
Four majestic European Beeches were lost in Aquidneck Park this past fall and winter. This edition of the Newport Arboretum Annual is dedicated to fagus sylvatica, Newport’s signature Gilded Age tree, now in crisis.
THE NEWPORT TREE SOCIETY BOARD OF DI RECTORS
Lilly Dick, President Jean Gorham, Vice President Timothy Brown, Treasurer Robert Currier Harry Eudenbach Pamela Gilpin Lisa Lewis N O N -VO T I N G OFFICERS
Kristyn Woodland, Secretary
NEWPORT ARBORETUM ADVISORY BOARD
John Campanini Jeffrey Curtis Thomas Dupree Susan Gordon, PhD Frank Mastrobuono Brian Maynard, PhD Martin Van Hof Scott Wheeler
CONTENTS End of a Gilded Age for the European Beech........................1 2012 Newport Public Street Tree Inventory...........................4 So You Admire the European Beech?.....................................7
Notable Newport Trees The Dove Tree.................................12 Newport Tree Planting Programs.........................................16 Newport Tree Walks.............................................................19
Focus on Restoration The Chalet: A Jewel Restored..............22 Tree Tagging Program..........................................................25 2012 Financial Summary......................................................26 Friends of the Newport Arboretum......................................27
end of
a long gilded age for the european
beech?
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n the fall of 2012, when a Gilded Age era beech in Aquidneck Park was left awkwardly standing between the tennis courts and The Hut, completely shorn of its canopy, not a murmur was heard. Battered bark and sparse leaves had left it obvious to one and all that the tree was on its deathbed, and city foresters
were only doing their job. The bare trunk awaited final removal once the ground was well-frozen. However, the next beech targeted for removal by the Department of Forestry caused a ripple of remarks and protests. Letters, emails and website comments questioned the necessity of razing such a majestic tree. Yes, it was old, and yes, its bark was peeling; but it had leafed out that summer (not fully, and the leaves were small and somewhat spare, but surely there had been leaves). Couldn’t it have been left to stand a few more years? Scott Wheeler, the city Tree Warden had expected the protests. It would have been alarming, in fact, to hear no response to the loss of an historic specimen tree in the heart of a well-loved city park. He did his best to explain through a preemptive series of press releases and emails, but still, public affront at the loss
Weeping, fernleaf, copper or green, the demise of the European Beech will impact our streetscapes dramatically.
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of such a tree is only right and not to be stopped entirely. Two weeks later, on January 21st during a winter storm, a towering neighbor of the two lost trees fell, just scraping the Edward King House. This third Aquidneck Park beech had not been slated for removal, and its sudden, dramatic end was astonishing and newsworthy. As if questions had not been sufficiently answered, however, an early February snowstorm saw yet another beech fall in the park. Three specimen beeches gone, and one more scheduled for removal, all within two short seasons. The European beech, failing suddenly and dramatically
across the Northeast, has its case study right here in Aquidneck Park. Unusual weather over the past several years has contributed to unexpected losses across several genera of trees, as certain plant pathogens and pests have thrived during alternating periods of uncommon rainfall and drought. General systemic stress from these weather trends (and extreme events such as Hurricane Sandy) has also taken a toll on our trees. Our European beech population has been the canary in the coal mine. Root pathogens and secondary pests and infections at fault in this troubling trend have become the subject of intense
The following letter, originally written by our Tree Warden and Building & Grounds Supervisor in response to the questions of a local reporter, addressed the loss of the 2011 Tree of the Year in Aquidneck Park: “The European Beech tree died of a root pathogen called phytophthora that is killing mature beech trees across the city. The Newport Tree Society secured funding to have the tree treated with a product called Agri-Fos to try to slow the progression of the disease but last year’s wet spring appears to have been the final straw for this specimen tree. To avoid damage to the park turf we are trying to remove the tree when the ground is frozen so this recent warm spell will delay the completion. Note this is one of three beech trees we are in the process of taking down in Aquidneck Park. We have removed everything but the trunk of a very tall beech that was an imminent hazard to the Martin Recreation Center and the Pop Flack tennis courts. The last one is also in the center of the park just to the south of the “Tree of the Year.” It has lost 90% of its canopy and will need to come down. One troubling trend we noticed in Hurricane Sandy is that a number of beech trees with this root disease completely pulled out of the ground. It is very important that property owners remove beech trees that have died or show signs of major structural root loss for public safety. As Tree Warden I have notified a number of property owners that their dead beech trees must be removed because it threatens a public right-of-way. We have known for some time these trees were declining and have installed a “shadow” planting of beech trees to get a head start. The largest planting occurred in April of 2000 for Arbor Day as a memorial planting for Senator John Chafee dedicated by then Senator Lincoln Chafee. Once the trees are completely down we will evaluate the need for additional trees but we want to provide enough room between the beech trees to insure each can develop a full open canopy.”
- Scott Wheeler, Newport Buildings & Grounds Supervisor
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study by many concerned arborists and plant pathologists such as Dr. George Hudler at Cornell University who is working on prevention and therapy for ailing European beeches, and Dr. Bruce Fraedrich, Vice President of Research at the Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories. It is of special note that the second beech to be removed in Aquidneck Park was the recently crowned 2011 Tree of the Year. In just a little over a year, its precipitous decline brought it from prize-winning status to an unfortunate target for foresters who must protect residents as well as trees. These losses are a stark and sober reminder to our community that we cannot take the health of our city’s tree canopy for granted. Our rich arboreal heritage must be actively preserved and consistently renewed.
As pointed out in the article highlighting
the landscape restoration at The Chalet, a gap in tree planting during the first half of the twentieth century, common across Newport, holds ramifications that are becoming increasingly clear. The inevitable loss of Gilded Age era trees is now leaving gaping holes with small, young trees bravely taking a deep breath and assuming roles for which they are not quite ready. We ask all Newporters to join us as the Newport Tree Society, the Newport Tree & Open Space Commission, and the Newport Division of Forestry work with citizens to undertake the steady planting and maintenance necessary to bequeath a healthy urban forest to the next generation. One that is not simply adequate, but world-class—not just a pleasant green canopy, but a jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring model of a citywide arboretum. n
City Forester Charlie Ridolph and friends enjoy a tree walk in Morton Park during Newport Arboretum Week 2012.
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2 012 N E W P O RT P U B L I C S T R E E T T R E E
I
inventory
n 2012, the Newport Tree Society and the City of Newport’s Division of Forestry commissioned the first of a two-part inventory and evaluation of the current condition of Newport’s public trees. A successful urban forestry program requires a combination of organized leadership, comprehensive information about the tree population, dedicated personnel, and an engaged and involved citizenry. This ongoing inventory is an invaluable piece to this puzzle, establishing a comprehensive data set for the effective management of one of our most valuable resources. In January of 2012, a GIS-based survey of all public street trees within the city limits of Newport was conducted by Davey Trees, Inc.. Major funding for this project was provided by the Helen Walker Raleigh Tree Care Trust, with additional support provided by the members and donors of the Newport Tree Society. Project specifications initially allowed for the survey of 4,500 trees, stumps, and planting sites, but additional funding was provided near the end of the project to ensure all streets would be inventoried. The second series of funding allowed the survey of an additional 1,225 sites, allowing the completion of all streets and two small parks off Broadway. The completed inventory included a total of 5,757 trees, stumps, and planting sites.
Information gleaned through the survey includes species composition, condition, and maintenance actions. The inventory indentified 110 species of street tree, representing 60 genera. Major populations (by genus) include: -
Acer (maple) Quercus (oak) Prunus (cherry) Tilia (linden) Platanus (planetree) Pyrus (pear), Thuja (arborvitae) Ulmus (elm) Zelkova (zelkova) Fraxinus (ash)
26% 11% 10% 7% 7% 5% 4% 4% 3% 2%
Medium-sized trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of 7” to 24” represent a dominant 63% of the total tree population, while 11% percent of the inventoried trees are considered large, with a DBH of 25” and greater. A vast majority of the trees (78%) were found to be in Fair condition (with only 5 trees qualifying for the designation of ‘Very Good’). Over 4,000 trees were found to be in need of pruning and cleaning. 232 trees (5%) are recommended for removal, with 217 receiving ratings of a
Moderate to High/Extremely High level of failure. Recommended tree and stump removal sites combined with other identified tree planting sites leave us with a total of 1,029 sites available for tree planting in the future. There is much work ahead of us! n -4-
NEWPORT STREET TREE GENERAL CONDITION 4500 3859 3859
4000 4000 3500 3500 3000 3000
Number of Trees
2500 2500 2000 2000 1500 1500
867 867
1000 1000 500 500
0 0
797 797
201 201
5 5
Very G Good Very ood
Good Good
Fair Fair
Poor Poor
14 14
14 14
Critical Cri8cal
Dead Dead
N/A N/A
NEWPORT STREET TREE PRIMARY MAINTENANCE NEEDS 3500 3500
3111 3111
3000 3000 2500 2500
Number of Trees
2000 2000 1500 1500
942 942
1000 1000
683 683
675 675
500 500
232 232
114 114
0 0
Clean Large Tree Clean Small Clean Tree Clean Large Tree Small Tree
Plant Plant Tree Young Train Tree Train Tree Young Tree
Remove Remove Removal Stump Removal Tree Stump
NEWPORT STREET TREE Tree Size Measured by DBH (Diameter at Breast Height) 1800 1800
1587
1600 1600 1400 1400
Number of Trees
1200 1200
1055
Number of Trees
1000 1000 800 800 600 600
719 572
584 310
400 400
127
200 200
63
57
0 0 1-3 4-6 7-12 13-18 19-24 25-30 31-36 37-42 43+ 1-‐3 4-‐6 7-‐12 13-‐18 19-‐24 25-‐30 31-‐36 37-‐42 43+ DBH in Inches
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NEWPORT PUBLIC STREET TREE COUNT BY SPECIES COMMON NAME
COUNT
Elm, American 20 Elm, Chinese 20 Tuliptree 19 Aspen, Quaking 18 Hackberry, Common 18 Ginkgo 17 Pine, Austrian 17 Japanese Cryptomeria 16 Pine, Eastern White 15 Cypress, Leyland 14 Oak, Northern Red 14 Willow, Black 14 Birch, Paper 13 Locust, Black 12 Dogwood, Pagoda 11 Maple, Amur 11 Ash, European 10 Birch, River 10 Mulberry, White 10 Walnut, Black 10 Ash, White 9 Birch, Gray 9 Holly, spp. 9 Oak, Swamp White 9 Serviceberry, spp. 9 Cottonwood, Eastern 8 Katsura 8 Lilac, Common 8 Oak, Turkish 8 Poplar, White 8 Spruce, Norway 8 Magnolia, Star 6 Maple, Silver 6 Holly, American 5 Larch, European 5 Maple, Paperbark 5
Maple, Norway 660 Planetree, London 324 Oak, English 295 Pear, Callery 265 Maple, Red 242 Cherry/Plum, spp. 239 Maple, Sycamore 233 Linden, American 202 Oak, Pin 199 Arborvitae, Eastern 194 Linen, Littleleaf 158 Cherry, Japanese 154 Zelkova, Japanese 148 Elm, Siberian 116 Honeylocust, Thornless 106 Maple, Japanese 103 Ash, Green 102 Crabapple, Flowering 98 Cherry, Black 90 Dogwood, Kousa 56 Horsechestnut 50 Maple, Sugar 43 Spruce, Colorado 40 Sweetgum, American 38 Hornbeam, American 37 Juniper, spp. 37 Beech, American 35 Spruce, White 29 Japanese Pagodatree 28 Lilac, Japanese Tree 27 Redcedar, Eastern 26 Catalpa, Northern 23 Hawthorn, spp. 23 Dogwood, flowering 25 Elm, hybrid 22
Pear, Common 5 Redbud, Eastern 5 Blackgum 4 Crapemyrtle, Common 4 Elm, Slippery 4 Tree of Heaven 4 Willow, Pussy 4 Fir, Fraser 3 Magnolia, Saucer 3 Maple, Hedge 3 Maple, Three-Flowered 3 Oak, White 3 Pine, Jap. Umbrella 3 Yew, spp. 3 Alder, Common 2 Amur Corktree 2 Buckeye, Ohio 2 Fir, Balsam 2 Oak, Cherrybark 2 Oak, Turkey 2 Willow, Weeping 2 Baldcypress, Common 1 Boxelder 1 Butternut 1 Goldenraintree 1 Hickory, Pignut 1 Maple, Freeman 1 Maple, Shantung 1 Mimosa 1 Oak, Willow 1 Pine, Pitch 1 Silverbell, Carolina 1 Smoketree, American 1 Sourwood 1 Sumac, Staghorn 1 Yellowwood 1
NEWPORT STREET TREE SPECIFIC CONDITIONS NOTED 400 400 350 350
358 358 304 304
300 300
Number of Trees
250 250 200 200 150 150 100 100 50 50
132 132
Count
108 108 41 41
34 34
24 24
15 15
11 11
0 0 Poor Cavity oor Mechanical Improperly Improperly Poor Poor RRoot Poor Grate oor Poor Cavity r Mechanical oot Poor Grate r Structure Decay Damage Damage Pruned Pruned System System LocaCon Location Guard Guard Structure Decay
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Serious Remove Serious Remove Decline Hardware Decline Hardware
SO YO U ADMI RE THE EUROPEAN BEECH? — by David Brown and Scott Wheeler —
E
legant trees and foliaged groves of contrasting colors and textures are a big part of why people visit us here in Newport, Rhode Island. They are greeted by the “Liberty Tree” beech when they arrive on Farewell Street. Visitors see other notable trees as they drive down Bellevue Avenue past the Redwood Library and the Art Museum. And still more when they stop at estates like Kingscote, The Elms, and Chateau-surMer. The trees that many visitors enjoy most are the European beeches (Fagus sylvatica), with their low-spread branches...distinctive smooth elephant-skinlike bark...nice dense shade...long-lasting golden fall leaf displays...interesting copper, purple and fern-leaf variations... spooky understories of weeping beeches that kids love to explore...and intricate bare limbs and twigs that highlight our winter scenes. We Newporters love beeches too as we walk, run, bicycle and drive past them. Real estate people emphasize how beeches and other quality trees add much to property values. Not to mention the delight our squirrels take in finding and stowing away tasty beechnuts. But we shouldn’t take our beautiful beeches and other trees for granted. We tend to assume that the wonderful specimens which have been there for decades will always be there. No matter how old they get, what pests and storms they encounter, or how badly we treat them. It’s not always easy for a tree in Newport to grow up and be in good
health for a long time. Our climate is moderate but there can be long drought periods. Many of our trees are rooted in soil that is shallow, infertile and poorly drained. Branches often have to endure Nor’easter windstorms, and sometimes hurricanes. Trees near the ocean can be covered with salt spray. S O YO U LI K E N EW P O RT ’ S M AG N I F I C EN T B EE C H ES...
Then please help take good care of them. Be on guard against Phytophthora, which cause bleeding cankers that destroy beeches’ circulatory systems. Also, protect their fragile roots and trunks against pests, drought, soil compaction, and sun scald. Be part of community efforts to enjoy and protect them. Plan ahead for their replacement as they become old. Disease and insect pests have devastated some traditional tree species like elms and chestnuts, and new kinds of pests are coming here to southern New England. Besides natural problems, a Newport tree has to try to survive what people can do to it: being planted too deep in a hole that’s too small. Bad pruning practices. Fumes from vehicle traffic. Road salt when there’s snow and ice. People and cars tromping on and compacting the soil on its roots. Lawn mowers and weed eaters scarring its trunk. Excavations through its root area to make way for a building foundation, street curb or underground utility line. Streetside trees are likely to find themselves being severely “topped” (major limbs cut off mid-way) to make space for tall trucks and overhead utilities. The broader picture is that a tree’s
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roots, trunk and branches, and leaves— along with its soil, water, and air environment—form a delicately balanced system. Imbalances can lead to a spiral of decline. Human stewardship can help a lot. But it may not take much by way of ill advised branch removal, soil compaction, root cutting
or other intrusions for a beech’s health to be seriously jeopardized. B LEED I N G CA N K ER —T H E N EW P ES T O N T H E B L O C K
Tree experts are now urging Newport beech tree owners and caretakers to take special precautions against infection by a group of organisms called Phytophthora (which are fungi-like but which botanists link more closely to algae). These take advantage of weaknesses in tree health— insect infestations, drought, damage to
limbs or roots, old age decline, and other causes—and can lead to quicker death of your valued beech. Phytophthora destroy the tissues beneath the bark. The outward sign—reddish or dark brown oozing—is bad enough. But inside, they cause very serious damage to the beech’s circulatory system (the xylem and phloem layers beneath the bark). Moisture and nutrients from the roots can no longer make their way up to the leaves in the canopy. This leads to less photosynthesis, leaf and bud dieback, sensitive beech limbs exposed to the sun, and a generally weakened system. The Phytophthora attacks in themselves are not the only source of damage. The lesions and seepages attract certain beetles, other insects, and pathogens that might otherwise have left the stricken
A watchful eye is being kept on this Gilded Age European Fernleaf Beech in Aquidneck Park (Edward King House in the background). Andrew Jackson Downing, author of A Treatise on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening, 1841, wrote of the trees on the King estate: “In long vistas the dark leaves of the purple Beech mingle with those of Maple and Oak; the Linden and Chestnut, the Cypress and Holly all find ample space to grow and expand on the broad acres set apart for their culture.” (Architecture of Country Houses, Downing)
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replace declining beeches with more beeches? When an older beech finally has to be removed, should another European beech be planted on that site? Several factors should be considered:
- Will there be enough permeable space and a compatible natural setting in future decades? - Will another beech fit into the projected landscape scheme so well as one of the new tree varieties that are becoming available? - Would it be helpful to diversify tree species in the neighborhood, to guard against your urban forest being wiped out by an unexpected pest? If an old beech has been near a street, its replacement might well be set back in a nearby yard. That way, less damage from traffic, trench digging, road salts, etc. is likely. In fact, the Newport Tree and Parks Division has a Bare Root Street Tree Planting Program that encourages this. A property owner can choose one or more young trees from a list of improved varieties that fit Newport. Most of these fit smaller spaces and are more pest-resistant than traditional trees. Trained staff plant and help them get started. In return, the owner provides space back from the street, pays a modest price for the tree, and agrees to take good care of it as a Tree Steward.
see how we can help you plant! www.newportarboretum.org/home/plant
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beech alone. And this in turn worsens and speeds up the tree’s decline. Any of several P. species and strains may be the villains here in the Northeast. Some enter through the root system and move up into the trunk. Others splash up from puddles when it’s raining, or when the tree is being irrigated, and enter the lower trunk through insect wounds and damaged bark areas. The spores may land on the beech’s own trunk and limbs, or on nearby plants. Some of those plants may themselves be prone to infection (English oaks, tulip trees and rhododendrons, among others). Wind and rain may carry those spores onto beeches. People may unintentionally spread Phytophthora also through purchase of infected plants from unreliable sources, use of infected tools, or transport of soil and landscape debris. What to do if it appears that Phytophthora have infected a valued beech or plant? First, with help from a certified arborist and perhaps laboratory analysis, identify the pathogen. For some types, a phosphorus-based solution applied to infection-prone areas may reduce further spread. Even then, a good arborist will probably tell you that it’s not a sure thing. Just as with a person who’s ill with a disease, it’s important to see that the beech has good nutrition and other natural conditions conducive to better health. O U R B EE C H ES FAC E S O M E O T H ER S P E C I A L C H A LLEN G ES
The European beeches in Newport are better adapted to urban life than are their woodland cousins (the American beech, Fagus grandfolia). But they still crave care that tries to recreate the natural conditions of their origins. For one thing, beech roots are fibrous
If a valued tree of yours is having health problems, Scott Wheeler, Newport Tree Warden, urges you to remember this above all: 1. Do no harm! Within the root zone, don’t excavate, compress soil, or change water flows, unless you really know what you’re doing. 2. Assess the cultural setting of your tree. Are you trying to force it to live in tough surroundings? Try to replicate natural conditions. 3. Intervene with caution and only if you really know what you’re doing, preferably with guidance from a certified, licensed arborist. 4. Do the math. Is it wiser to spend more on this ailing tree, or to replace it with a young tree better suited to the surroundings?
and shallow. This is good for absorbing moisture, but makes the roots easily damaged. Just a few people trampling on them regularly can do harm. Not to mention the frequent practice of parking cars under beeches for their cooling shade. Beeches need lots of water. They are one of the tree species that do need watering when there is a long drought. Beeches suck up a lot of moisture to sustain their dense foilage. This along with their dense shade makes it almost impossible to sustain grass turf or other cover plants beneath beech canopies. The best groundskeepers in Newport are emulating natural duff by spreading two or three inches of organic mulch (such as partly decayed leaves) under their large beeches and other specimen shade trees. They make sure not to heap up mulch against the trunk base or over
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the brace roots. That could lead to rotting, rodent damage, and impaired ability to carry water and nutrients up to the leaves. As other specimen tree species, beeches should be pruned only as need be, by experienced persons. There are valid reasons to do some trimming—e.g., removing a limb that is rubbing against another, hanging too low over a street, growing too near a building, or damaged from a storm. But tree experts are now less inclined to thin out branches heavily. Beeches are very thin-skinned! The smooth bark on a beech-tree trunk and branches can easily be damaged by scrapes and cuts. If the bark is exposed directly to the sun, harmful scalding can take place. So it’s important not to prune so heavily that lots of foilage which shades the bark is removed; removal of dead and broken branches should be the main aim. Planting other trees and shrubs to help shade the
southern exposures of a beech trunk can be
a way to reduce sun damage. Besides Phytophthora, woolly aphids are a second pest that may infect our European beeches. These are a cottonycovered insect that emerge in late spring. They suck nutrients from young twigs and the undersides of leaves. They often cause some leaves to curl up and dry out, but this usually does not damage beeches seriously. (In contrast, the aphids and adelgids that attack hemlocks and some other trees can be serious.) The woolly aphids do excrete a lot of unpleasant, sticky honeydew. In turn, sooty mold that feeds on the honeydew may appear on the leaves. Beech owners who find this too objectionable can ask certified arborists to try to reduce aphid infestations with insecticidal soaps or other non-hazardous treatments. Winter moths are a third pest to be on the
Fallen European Beech, St. Michael’s Country Day School, 2011.
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alert for, even though they seem to like fruit trees, maples and some other species more than beeches. These moths have shown up in eastern Massachusetts and in Rhode Island in recent years. They emerge from the soil in late fall, and lay eggs in tree bark and other crevices. In early spring, the eggs hatch into larvae that turn into small caterpillars that devour new buds. Professional applications of horticultural oils before the eggs hatch have helped to reduce some infestations. Many of Newport’s beeches were planted during Newport’s “gilded age” of large estates and legions of gardeners who could give careful care to flowers,
lawns, shrubs and trees. Many of these specimens are now more than a century old; they are well into old-age decline. Estate grounds aren’t so spacious as before. Buildings, walkways and driveways are squeezing into the canopy and root spaces of these large trees. Happily, we have quite a few mature beeches that—with careful guidance from certified arborists—can be rescued and nurtured into years and even decades of extended life. But this has to be matched with two other ingredients: - Owners’ and developers’ appreciation of the value of sustaining these beeches (both aesthetic and economic), and readiness to provide the need-
NOTABLE Dove Tree
Davidia involucrata A wonderful dove tree specimen can be viewed on the northeast corner of Butler Street and Van Zandt Avenue. Look for its elegant blooms in late May.
“A frequent visitor at Bethshan [on Gibbs Avenue], Charles Sprague Sargent of the Arnold Arboretum advised the ardent Mrs. Gibbs in her selection of trees. Together with plant-hunter Ernest ‘Chinese’ Wilson, they stocked Bethshan with exotics, none more ac-
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ed investments and protections. - Community policies that encourage this—such as minimizing the digging of trenches for utilities, curbing, etc. through tree root systems, and planning and zoning that foster spaces which are friendly to specimen trees, greenscapes, and natural drainage. Individually, we can encourage good care of beeches in our vicinity. When we see a neglected beech, we can tell the owner how much we enjoy beeches, and help him or her in a friendly way to get in touch with arborists who can give it good care. We can exert positive influence toward timely attention to beeches and
other valuable trees via our neighborhood and condo associations, garden clubs, preservation societies, and other groups. If your own yard is not huge, you might consider planting one of the more compact beeches. Two that have been featured in the Newport Tree Society Specimen Tree Restoration program are the Rivers Purple Beech (grows to 50’ tall) and the smaller, narrower Purple Fountain Beech (grows to 20’). Beech hedges are another way to add some attractive beech “flavor” to your summer and fall foliage. They endure regular trimming better than many woody species. Even if you have just a tiny space, a
NEWPORT TREES claimed than the dove tree (Davidia involucrata) which Wilson had personally acquired in China. “The Bethshan dove tree first bloomed in 1924 toward the end of May. Each year for a score of years Harvard students visited Newport to view the dove tree and other exotics at the Gibbs’ home. When the 1938 hurricane toppled the tree, workmen righted it. But finally in the 1950s the old, unstable specimen was felled. Horticulturists at the University of Rhode Island as well as private Newport gardeners such as Allan Booth failed to germinate seed from it, despite many efforts. ‘Chinese’ Wilson’s finding of the dove tree makes interesting telling. He had been commissioned by the Arnold Arboretum to go to China to acquire seed of the scarce tree. Returning to a known location, he failed to find
the slightest trace of it until on inquiring of a native as to its whereabouts, the man pointed to his shanty and said he had constructed his home with boards from the choice tree. Wilson eventually located specimens, which came to the arboretum and thence to Newport and elsewhere.” —”Newport Estates and Their Flora,” Richard Champlin, Newport Historical Society, Newport History, Volume 53 Part 2, Spring 1980, Number 178.
“Today, only a couple of dove trees still survive in Newport. Maud Howe Elliot describes the Gibbs tree: ‘When blooming, it is covered with large blossoms having two snow white leaves that look like the spread wings of Spirito Sancto, the white doves of the Vatican garden.’” —”Newport’s LIving Legends,” Peter Simpson
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beech of your very own can become a great part of your life. Bonsai lovers find that beech stock can make a wonderful long-lasting outdoor specimen. One can consider many interesting species and subspecies, including Oriental beeches as well as European and American. BEECH WOOD NEEDN’T GO TO WASTE
Most of us feel sad when an elegant old beech tree finally has to be cut down, and its huge limbs and trunk are being trucked off. Does that have to be the end of that beech’s career? Not necessarily. A beech has some great qualities for wood crafts and manufacturing—hard, fine grain, very white,
not gummy or strong-scented. It is used for making furniture, parquet flooring, veneer plywood, work benches and mallets, wooden toys. One “lower” use is railroad ties. Cured for a year or so, it makes good firewood. So if you have uses like that, or know people who might, you might try to work out something with the tree service so that your old beech isn’t just tossed away. It’s reported that one Newport resident loved her beech tree so much that, when it finally had to be removed, she had dinner plates made from the wood to share with others as lasting legacies of a tree life well lived. n
Tim Brown speaks at a tree planting ceremony in Miantonomi Park.
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Newport Tree Planting Programs PROGRAM
DESCRIPTION
Newport Tree Society Specimen Tree Restoration Program
Provides a specimen tree to be planted anywhere on private property in the City of Newport. Free in exchange for a commitment to attend a tree planting workshop and plant and maintain the tree. Limited availability—first come, first served. FREE.
5’-6’ height /4”-1” caliper 5-gal. container
Newport Tree Society Commemorative Tree Program
Commemorative specimen tree planted by the city of Newport in a Newport park or other public space. Donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. $260 MINIMUM DONATION.
10’-12’ height 2.5”-3” caliper 25-gal. container
City of Newport Bare Root Tree Program
Provides a bare root tree planted by the City of Newport on any private property in Newport within 20’ of a public right-ofway. Limited availability. $70.
8’- 12’ height Tree caliper 13/4” bare root tree
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TREE SPECS
3
2 01 3 S P E C I M E N T R E E R E S T O R A T I O N P RO G R A M The Specimen Tree Restoration Program is collaborative project of the Newport Tree Society and the Newport Forestry Division designed to complement the city’s Bare Root Tree Planting Program. Free trees will be provided to Newport property owners who plant and maintain them, with no restrictions on tree placement other than suitability for planting. Measurements are at maturity. Green Weeping European Beech Fagus sylvatica ‘Pendula’
Height 40’ Spread 45’
Branches gracefully droop to the ground with glossy, bright green foliage. Sinuous branches give beautiful winter interest in the landscape. An ideal centerpiece for a yard or focal point for a hillside or vista. River’s Purple European Beech Fagus sylvatica ‘Riversii’’
Height 50’ Spread 30’
A stunning special selection of the Purple European Beech (or Copper Beech), whose unusually deep purple foliage lasts all season long. The European Beech is one of Newport’s signature specimen trees, growing exceptionally well in the seaside climate. Starlight Dogwood Cornus kousa ‘Starlight’
Height 30’ Spread 25’
An abundance of white flowers creates a showy bloom for this cross between Cornus kousa and the Pacific dogwood, Cornus nuttallii. Disease and drought tolerant. Chinese Fringetree Chionanthus retusus
Height 20’ Spread 25’
A highly-prized small, dome-shaped tree with clusters of fragrant, fringelike blooms, the Chinese Fringetree is a beautiful accent for small yards. Set against dark evergreen trees for a gorgeous bloom spectacle in sharp contrast. Female plants develop purple-blue fruits which provide food for many birds. Worplesdon Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Worplesdon’
Height 55’ Spread 35’
‘Worplesdon’ is a famous selection of Liquidambar with stunning autumn color starting in early September and lasting until late October. The leaves turn a fiery-orange, red and yellow before they fall. - 16 -
Commemoration Sugar Maple Acer saccharum ‘Commemoration’
Height 50’ Spread 30’
The native sugar maple is beloved both as the source for maple syrup and for its classic fall color. ‘Commemoration’ boasts brilliant red-orange fall foliage appearing a week or two before other sugar maples. This variety is well-adapted to urban conditions and has lustrous dark green leaves. American Hornbeam Carpinus caroliniana
Height 25’ Spread 20’
Native to eastern North America. A shade-friendly understory tree, the American Hornbeam is commonly found along the borders of streams. It enjoys moist soil but can tolerate both wet and dry sites. Loebner Magnolia Magnolia x loebneri ‘Leonard Messel”
Height 25’ Spread 25’
A stunning cross between Magnolia kobus and Magnolia stellata ‘Rosea,’ the Loebner Magnolia has has star-shaped flowers with twelve narrow petals, white on the inside and purplish-pink on the outside. Dawyck Purple European Beech Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck Purple’
Height 55’ Spread 25’
A striking columnar purple beech with narrow form and deep purple leaves whose color lasts throughout the summer. Smooth silver bark adds significant winter interest. Wildfire Blackgum Nyssa sylvatica ‘Wildfire’
Height 50’ Spread 25’
This Tupelo offers three seasons of bright foliage. Spring brings a surprising flush of deep red growth, and summer’s glossy, dark green leaves turn fiery red in the fall. The alligator-like textured bark is dark gray to almost black. Persian Ironwood Parrotia persica ‘Vanessa’
Height 30’ Spread 15’
A columnar version of the Ironwood, this durable tree is exceptional in every season. Scalloped leaves bring an incredible autumn display, turning bronze, then crimson, followed by orange and finishing brilliant gold. Exfoliating grey-andtan bark is another dramatic feature of ‘Vanessa.’ Snowcone® Japanese Snowbell Styrax japonicum ‘Snowcone’
Height 25’ Spread 20’
Heavily flowering Snowcone® features the pure white, bell-shaped, pendulous flowers of the species, with a uniquely dense pyramidal shape.
Supplies are limited. To apply online, visit newportarboretum.org, or call 324-9204. (Please help us minimize administrative time by applying online if possible.) - 17 -
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T H E N E W P O R T T R E E WA L K S E R I E S
pocket maps Full-color, folded pocket maps are available at the Museum & Shop at Brick Market, Newport Visitors Center, Papers, Preservation Society gift stores, Redwood Library, Salve Regina Bookstore & Library and other venues. Or print any tree walk from our website for free!
www.newportarboretum.org
Over 7 miles of tree walks featuring over 90 species and cultivars and dozens of historical points of interest! - 19 -
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T H E N E W P O R T T R E E WA L K S E R I E S
smartphone tree walks Expanded content tree walks for smartphone and other mobile devices include photographs and additonal educational facts...all on an interactive map!
Download a free Newport Tree Walk.
1
Download your preferred EveryTrail™ app for iPod Touch, iPhone, or Android phone: - EveryTrail™ (FREE) to stream walks over any internet connection - EveryTrail PRO™ ($3.99) to download walks to your device
2
Launch the EveryTrail™ app and search for “Newport Tree Walks”
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L
egend has it that when Newport’s planted in many of these spots along with weather is unusually dry and the “shadow plantings” next to mature trees soil has released its moisture and whose lifespans are nearing their limits. shrunken back into itself, a careful obThe Chalet’s now carefully-tended server can see faint indentations in the landscape is slowly but surely recoverfields below Miantonomi Tower marking ing from a long period of benign neglect. the spot where colonial British encamp- In 2006, condominium owners gathered ments once stood. together to begin an ambitious restoraLike archaeologists on the hunt for the tion of the property, and since that time, ghosts of an 18th century tent city, Dan an incredible variety of trees have been Burns and Tom planted. This story Eberhardt walk of the rise, fall the grounds of The and rebirth of The Chalet, a 4.6-acre Chalet’s historic property overlooklandscape gives a ing Newport Harstriking parallel to bor, looking for the story of Newtelltale depressions port’s urban forest or mounds. A N EW P O RT J EW EL as a whole. These telltales Originally comR ES T O R ED mark the spot missioned by Mrs. where trees planted Colford Jones, by Axel Anderson an aunt of Edith — head gardener for the estate Wharton, the residence was defrom the late 1880’s to the 1940’s signed by Richard Morris Hunt — once stood. In deference to stewin the Stick Style vernacular circa ards of the past, new trees have been 1865. In the 1880’s, the property was
the
chalet
Aerial view of The Chalet (building upper right) from the early 1930s facing north. The building at the forefront of this photograph, The Moorings, was razed. - 22 -
purchased by Captain Hugh deLaussat Willoughby, who commissioned Hunt to treble the size of the cottage. Like much of Newport, the grounds of The Chalet were heavily planted from the Gilded Age through the early 1940’s (although the hurricane of 1938 felled many trees). Upon Captain Willoughby’s death, his head gardener, Axel Anderson, was bequeathed the stables, and in the 1940’s, the estate was sold and the property became a rooming house. As it did city-wide, planting at The Chalet waned during the second half of the twentieth century as enthusiasm for sylviculture turned to indifference, and indifference to neglect. In the 1960’s, a 60-unit, 3-building condominium complex was proposed for the site (and rejected), and in the 1980’s the main house was converted into the condominiums that exist today. This familiar Newport story continues with the loss of ten mature fir trees in the early 2000’s as the black turpentine beetle swept across the island, a plague to any tree of the genus, pinus.
By this time, the majority of the property’s surviving Gilded Age trees were in steady decline. In 2005, a stately but ailing Copper Beech was summarily cut down, an act “silently observed by condo owners,” according to Dan Burns. “I had no awareness of the trees on our grounds until that moment when I drove on our property and saw something gone that can never be replaced in our lifetime.” This dramatic loss to the landscape, combined with the suggestion that all of the property’s beeches might be similarly removed, spurred residents into collective action. Since that time, both the grounds and main building of The Chalet have experienced an infusion of energy and direct investment to revive the once-ailing property. The condominium association has come together to support the sustained effort of several residents to lovingly replant this jewel along the harbor. Guided by photographs from the 1920’s and 30’s, Dan Burns, Tom Eberhardt, and Nanette Kritzalis and her mother have sourced trees with the help of arborists, landscaping companies, and
Young trees stand against a backdrop of mature specimens at The Chalet in 2013.
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T R EES P L A N T ED AT T H E C H A LE T 2006 — P R ES EN T
Bald cypress Black birch Blue sequoia Cedar of Lebanon Chinese white pine Clump river birch Copper beech Dove tree Dwarf blue cedar
European beech Full moon maple Japanese maple Katsura tree Magnolia Oaks Coral-bark maple Redbud Rhode Island Greening
nearby nurseries. A Katsura and Black Tupelo were planted through the Newport Tree Society Specimen Tree Restoration Program, and the City of Newport’s Division of Forestry has been supportive of replanting efforts: “Scott Wheeler and his team have done amazing work in this town. He has actively worked with us before and I can’t say enough about the tree program.” Dan and Tom are always on the look-
Apple (heirloom) Roxbury Russet Apple (heirloom) Sugar maple Swamp white oak Japanese maples Tri-color beech Tupelo tree Umbrella pine
Valley Forge Elm Weeping Alaska cypress Weeping blue cedar Weeping hornbeam Weeping purple beech Weeping white pine Yellow birch
out for new trees to replace those lost to age, disease or extreme weather. As Dan recounts, “The Swiss Village Foundation posted an intriguing offer on Facebook last winter. They were removing their existing apple orchard and had over fifteen mature trees available at minimal cost. I immediately contacted Kerry Ann McClean, the head gardener, to organize. It turned out to be a bigger project than I anticipated. I needed to reach out to
Tom Eberhardt, Dan Burns and Lilly Dick at The Chalet during a Newport Arboretum Week fundraiser.
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Dig Safe to ensure no gas or power lines would be affected. It was something I had not thought of but makes complete sense! Matt [Largess] was able to carefully remove and replant to their forever home. As apple trees do not gain height, it is a great solution to our property as it will not diminish any views of the harbour for us or our neighbors. Sadly, due to the cost of transplanting something of that size, I could only afford four.” Many Gilded Age trees still remain on the property, including a Fernleaf Beech,
American Beech, ornamental Japanese Maple, Camperdown Elm, Tulip Tree, and several Butternuts and European Beeches. Since 2006, over thirty new species have been added, creating a miniature arboretum. This encouraging story of the successful adaptive reuse of an historic Newport estate is an inspiration to us all. Dan Burns further prompts us with an old Chinese proverb: “‘The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.’ Very apt indeed!” n
N E W P O RT
tree tag P RO G R A M
This arboretum tag marks two historic Camperdown Elms in Washington Square. Once threatened with removal, these trees now receive well-deserved attention as an integral part of The Newport Arboretum’s specimen tree collection and an apt starting point for the Colonial Tree Walk. Newporters are encouraged to order tree tags for their own trees— particularly if a tree is viewable from a public right-of-way.
Many thanks to volunteers Frank Amaral and Pat Cawley who have been tagging trees across the city. Pat was a City of Newport employee for over 25 years and at one point worked as an arborist for Public Works. Frank has owned a landscaping business since 1981 and, when not gardening, can be found all over town volunteering in one capacity or another. Kudos to our 2013 tag team!
Suggested donation $20. Visit newportarboretum.org to order.
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THE NEWPORT TREE SOCIETY
2012
financial summary
INCOME & EXPENSE INCOME Donations 16,655 Membership 13,690 Events 3,180 Grants 46,500 In-Kind Prof. Services 5,485 Tree Purchases 1,700 Publications 360 Gross Income
EXPENSES Educational Programs Collections—Planting & Maint. Collections—Other Mgmt. Administrative Planning & Accreditation Membership/PR/Development
12,882 10,042 26,840 22,512 5,799 15,378
Total Expenses
93,453
Net Ordinary Income Dividends & Interest Net Income
(5,883) 65 (5818)
87,570
BALANCE SHEET Net Assets as of Jan 1, 2012
Net Assets as of Dec 31, 2012
Cash
Cash
$56,394
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$50,576
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riends of the N E W P O RT ARBORETUM ARBORETUM SOCIETY
The Newport Tree Society Alletta Morris McBean Charitable Trust Helen Walker Raleigh Tree Care Trust van Beuren Charitable Foundation
special supporters
Ms. Dominique Alfandre & Mr. Thomas Palmer Sister M. Therese Antone, RSM Mr. & Mrs. Phillip Bilden Bowens Wharf Co. Mr. & Mrs. John Brooks Ms. Eileen Brown Mr. & Mrs. Richard Burnham Mr. Daniel Burns & Mr. Thomas Eberhardt Mrs. Robert O. Charles
Mrs. Taylor Chewning Ms. Brittain Bardes Mr. Robert Currier Dick Family Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Dick Edward W. Kane & Martha J. Wallace Family Foundation Dr. & Mrs. Edwin G. Fischer Mr. Ronald Lee Fleming Mr. Christopher Fletcher Mr. David B. Ford &
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Ms. Pamela Fielder Mr. Robert Gerber Hotel Viking - Mark Gervais Mr. & Mrs. Sidney S. Gorham III Mr. Leonard Grace Mrs. Samuel M. V. Hamilton Mrs. & Mrs. S. Matthews V. Hamilton, Jr. Mr. John Harris & Ms. Linda Sawyer Hazard Avenue Limited Partnership Mr. & Mrs. George G. Herrick Mr. Edward Kane & Ms. Martha Wallace Ms. Virginia Decker Keith Mrs. Morten Kielland Mr. Daniel Kinder Mr. Samuel Kinder Mrs. Charles M. Leighton Ms. Lisa S. Lewis
Mr. Richard C. Loebs Jr. Ms. Didi Lorillard Mr. & Mrs. John H. Manice Mr. & Mrs. Samuel M. Mencoff Mr. & Mrs. Joseph E. Sullivan Foundation Fund Mr. Richard S. Palmer Ms. Bettie Bearden Pardee Mr. & Mrs. Christopher T. H. Pell Ms. Lisa Perrault Mr. & Mrs. Frank Ray Ms. Susan Ruf & Mr. Michael Walsh Mr. & Mrs. Jay Schochet Mr. Vincent ‘Jack’ Siravo & Ms. Robin Hoffmann Mr. & Mrs. William L. Wallace Mrs. John G. Winslow
friends A4 Architecture Mr. Ron Ackman Mrs. Charles C. Adams III Mr. & Mrs. Armin Allen Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Arner Ms. Janet P. Atkins & Mr. Tarleton Watkins II Ms. Ellen Barnes Mrs. William Boatwright Ms. Romayne Bockstoce Ms. Nancy Bredbeck Mrs. Andrea L. Breyer Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Brockway Ms. Sara A. Brown Mr. Timothy J. Brown Ms. Marilyn Bunnewith Mr. & Mrs. David F. Bush-Brown
Mr. John Campanini Jr. Ms. Darcy Carr Mr. & Mrs. Sam Chase Mr. & Mrs.George Clayson Ms. Edna Cohane Ms. Sophia DeMaio Mr. & Mrs. C. Matthews Dick Ms. Heather Dodds Mr. & Mrs. Emlen Drayton Ms. Susan Dye Mr. & Mrs. Toby Field Ms. Kathleen Finn Ms. Linda Finn Pen Craig Gate House Condominium Association Mr. & Mrs. Todd Gianetis Ms. Pamela Gilpin
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Mr. & Mrs. Peter Goff Ms. Elizabeth Gomes Mr. & Mrs. David Grant Ms. Audrey Grimes Mr. & Mrs. Charles B. Grosvenor Mr. Michael Hayes Mr. & Mrs. Robert Healey Ms. Jane K. Hence Ms. Frances Stuart Hester Ms. Carol Hodges Maj. Gen. & Mrs. Stephen R. Seiter Ms. Stefani Hulitar Mr. & Mrs. William Jacklin Mr. Terry Johnson Ms. Pam Kelley Ms. Deborah Kelsey & Mr. Kevin Kelley Mrs. William Leatherman Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey LeBaron Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Lindh Mr. Sidney Long Mr. Henry S. Lynn Jr. Ms. Karen Mahanke McCamphill Family RDML & Mrs. Dennis F. McCoy Hon. & Mrs. Justin McLaughlin Hon. Judy Clagett McLennan Mr. & Mrs. Daniel McSweeney Mr. & Mrs. Rufus Meadows Mr. & Mrs. Robert Meikle Mr. & Mrs. Joseph F. Mele Mr. Pierre F. V. Merle Mr. Jordan Miller & Ms. Rachel Allen Ms. Carlotta Marie Morris Ms. Cheryl Mrozowski Hon. Naomi Neville & Mr. Jeff Rothermel Mr. & Mrs. Howard Newman Newport Architectural Forum Mr. David Nickerson Mr. Robert Oakley Ms. Kathleen O’Connell Ms. Sandra Ourusoff - 29 -
Mr. Jay J. Page Senator Teresa Paiva Weed Ms. Katie Parent Mr. & Mrs. John Payne Mr. & Mrs. James Purviance Ms. Pamela Rakip Ms. Ann Randall Ms. Mary Reynolds Mr. & Mrs. Craig Richardson Mr. & Mrs. Al Ring Ms. Tracey Roberts Ms. Marie Robinson Ms. Joanna Salvo Mr. Nicholas B. Scheetz Mr. Michael Sepe Mr. & Mrs. Richard B. Sheffield Mr. & Mrs. Albert K. Sherman, Jr. Sherwood Condominium Association Ms. Marjorie Joan Simmons Mr. Scott Skuncik Mr. & Mrs. Edward Smith Ms. Mary Alice Smith Ms. Ineko Stephan Mr. & Mrs. Edward L. Stone Mr. & Mrs. Dennis M. Taber Mr. David Thalmann Mr. Huw K. Thomas Ms. Julie Toland Ms. Mary Mohler & Mr. Ed Trautman Mr. & Mrs. Fred Van Liew Mr. & Mrs. Michael Vitton Mr. & Mrs. Robert S. Walker Mr. Alexander G. Walsh & Ms. Cynthia Madden Mr. George Warren Ms. Catherine Weaver Mr. Barnabas Webster Capt. Charles Weishar, USN (Ret.) Mr. & Mrs. Larry Weisman Mr. & Mrs. Roger Wells Vice Adm. & Mrs. Thomas R. Weschler Hon. & Mrs. Henry F. Winthrop
THE NEWPORT ARBORETUM CITIZEN ORESTRY AWARDS
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F R A N VA N L I E W
For her unfailing advocacy on behalf of urban forests through carefully managed philanthropy and thoughtful and innovative leadership in support of grassroots planting initiatives in Newport and the State of Rhode Island. BANKNEWPORT
For demonstrating green community leadership through the extensive replanting of BankNewport’s Washington Square branch parking lot, replacing an entire planting of declining trees and ensuring a greener city for all Newporters to enjoy. BELMEAD
To Edward and Cassandra Stone and the Belmead Condominium Association for leading the ambitious restoration of Belmead’s long-neglected historic landscape, including the planting of a carefully selected variety of 17 specimen trees, creating a park-like ‘borrowed landscape’ on a highly visible Bellevue Avenue property for all passersby to enjoy. NEWPORT GARDEN CLUB
For organizing an initiative to beautify Broadway through the planting of fifteen trees and for leadership in conservation through the creation of a collaborative Educational exhibit highlighting newport’s urban forest ecology and natural history.
newportarboretum.org THE
NEWPORT TREE - 30 -
SOCIET Y