Chaenomeles x superba ‘Knap Hill Scarlet’
Magnolia ‘Elizabeth’
Malus x purpurea ‘Lemoinei’
Rhododendron augustinii
Viburnum carlesii (Koreanspice viburnum)

Complete details. 

Thanks to a grant from the Jiji Foundation the Garden-based Restoration and Outreach Workgroups (G.R.O.W.) Program was launched in January, 2011 and is actively engaged with three high school classes and one after school teen center program.

Marilyn Smith Layton has created a book of images called Seasons of Life in the Union Bay Natural Area, and she is donating the profits from the sale of the book to projects in UBNA. The cost of the book is $60, and $20 of that will go to help the natural area.
You may purchase a copy in the Miller Library (cash or check only). 

If any of you have visited the north end of our holly collection in Washington Park Arboretum recently, you probably observed what appears to be a developing wetland. As you may well imagine, standing water where we’re trying to grow healthy hollies just don’t mix very well. See Chris Watson’s post on “Spring Pruning in the Arboretum“.   Why all the standing water? 

Berberis buxifolia (Magellan Barberry or Calafate)
Magnolia x loebneri ‘Leonard Messel’/li>
Magnolia x soulagiana ‘Rustica Rubra’
Prunus x yedoensis (Tokyo cherry)
Prunus x yedoensis ‘Akebono’

Complete details. 

With the goal of enhancing pollination efforts, several mason bee houses have been placed throughout the Arboretum.  What are mason bees?  Well, according to the provider of the pollinators, Dave Richards of JohnnyAppleBeez, LLC:
“The charming Mason Bee is a gentle, shiny blue-black metallic bee, and slightly smaller than a honey bee. They are a superior pollinator, but do not produce honey. 

A turkish pine (Pinus brutia) and a Chinese white pine (Pinus armandii) were recently removed from the Canal Reserve area near the Museum of History and Industry.  Both trees declined suddenly over the past year and died over the winter.  Blue staining was evident in the wood of both trees.  We’re not sure exactly how these trees are infected with the fungus, but one theory is that a bark boring insect (red turpentine beetle) carries the pathogen into the tree.  

Thomas Hinckley, Interim Director School of Forest Resources, named Sarah Reichard as Interim Director until June 30, 2011, replacing Sandra Lier.  Starting July 1 Professor Reichard will be the Orin and Althea Soest Director of UWBG, and she will hold that position for one year, until June 30, 2012.
Director Hinckley announced his decision on March 25 and stated: “I am very appreciative that Sarah has accepted this position in these very uncertain times. 

Recent Arboretum visitors may have noticed some unusual pruning, specifically in our Holly and Camellia collections.  The camellia specimens, located near the Lookout parking lot, will be re-propagated and planted in a different location to make space for the Pacific Connections New Zealand focal forest.  Large heading cuts were made to induce new epicormic growth, or watersprouts, which are ideal for propagation.   

In late February UW Interim President Phyllis Wise sent a report to the Washington State Legislature regarding potential budget cuts at UW specifically naming the Washington Park Arboretum. In response the Arboretum Foundation Board sent President Wise a letter urging her to maintain funding at current levels. Local writer Valerie Easton provides background information on this issue and contact details for state legislators.