Conifer trees occasionally mutate into unusual forms, often slow-growing natural dwarfs. Thousands of these have been in cultivation for centuries. The Arboretum has only a few in its collection, sadly neglected in grid 37-1W – a corner of the Oaks area.  Here are five examples:
1)  Chamaecyparis lawsoniana  ‘Lycopodioides’

Translated: “a form of Lawson’s false cypress that looks like Lycopodium” – a genus of club moss that’s said to resemble a wolf’s foot. 

Traditionally, this plant’s stems were used to make spindles to twine wool and flax into yarn. Learn more about this month’s featured plant.

By John A. Wott, Director Emeritus
One of the four primary forest trees of the Pacific Northwest is Thuja plicata, or the Western red cedar. There are “giants” of this species still growing after hundreds of years in protected sites in this state, but most were logged in great quantities as the lumber mills in the Pacific Northwest grew. The Washington Park Arboretum land, originally owned by the Pope Lumber company, was logged in the late 1880s and then basically clear cut of any remaining harvestable trees a few years later. 

1)  Arctostaphylus uva-ursi                                                   ‘Vancouver Jade’            Kinnikinnick or Bearberry

Broadleaf evergreen and creeping groundcover with circumpolar distribution in northern hemisphere often found growing in association with Pitch Pine
If there were still bears on Cape Cod, it would be a favorite food source for them.
This cultivar, ‘Vancouver Jade’ is growing in containers outside the Graham Visitor Center.

2)  Juniperus virginiana  ‘Blue Coast’                               Eastern Red Cedar

A low growing, blue form of the Eastern Red Cedar
Pioneer species found in mixed stands with Pitch Pine, reclaiming abandoned farms and grasslands
Found growing under Pines in grid 36-4E, along nursery road

3)  Morella pensylvanica                Bayberry

Berries boiled to extract sweet-smelling wax used to make clean-burning candles
Found growing in dry open sites along with Bearberry, Eastern Red Cedar and Pitch Pine
Mass growing in Oaks Collection in grid 43-B

4)  Pinus rigida                Pitch Pine

Rigid cone scales and stiff needles, hence its Latin specific epithet
Used during days of wooden ships due to its resistance to decay
Several young specimens in our Pinetum, grid 37-4W

5)  Viburnum dentatum var. 

Don’t get stuck inside all winter. Get outside and explore our senses and learn a little bit about winter, trees, and even decomposers in our Winter Family Nature Classes.

1)  Berberis fortunei             Fortune’s Mahonia

Native to China, this shrub sports deep-red new growth when grown in sunnier locations.
The mature size is 6-12 feet tall and just as wide.
This specimen is located in the Sino-Himalayan Collection (Grid 25-1W).

2)  Buxus wallichiana             Himalayan Boxwood

A large shrub or small tree native to the northwestern Himalaya and known for very dense, hard wood. 

Poet’s Laurel is a jewel that will brighten the November garden.

by John A. Wott, Director Emeritus
On August 19, 2015, one of the original staff members of UW Botanic Gardens (Washington Park Arboretum) left this earth to tend to her new garden “in the sky.” Joan Pirzio-Biroli, known to everyone as “Jan” or “JPB” was officially employed as a research/extension program assistant at the University of Washington from November 10, 1980, until her retirement on November 1, 1991. 

1)  Cupressus (Hesperocyparis) bakeri                               Modoc Cedar

A moderately-sized coniferous tree with greyish-green scale-like foliage that is dotted with white resin. It is native to the Siskiyou and Sierra Nevada Mountain ranges. A slow growing tree, usually under 90 feet over many decades.
Considered vulnerable to extinction in the wild in the medium term.
Located in the Pacific Connections Garden Cascadia Focal Forest above the Chilean Gateway. 

1)  Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca’                Blue Atlas Cedar

A large coniferous tree with vivid, glaucous blue foliage, making it easy to identify.
Native to Algeria and Morocco on the Atlas Mountains, these specimens can grow up to 100 feet tall and beyond.
Located in the Pinetum near the Lynn Street play area.

2)  Cunninghamia lanceolata                China Fir

Members of the family Taxodiaceae, these trees are named after James Cunningham, who originally found C.