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Arboretum News Volume 1, Number 1, Winter 2003

Armstrong State University

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This newsletter is brought to you for free and open access by the Armstrong News & Featured Publications at Digital Commons@Georgia Southern. It has been accepted for inclusion in Arboretum News by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons@Georgia Southern. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ARBORETUM NEWS A NEWSLETTER OF THE ARMSTRONG ATLANTIC STATE UNIVERSITY ARBORETUM

Volume 1, Issue 1 WINTER 2003

Inside this issue: SCIENCE CENTER LANDSCAPE Who We Are 2 NEARS COMPLETION Fern Collection Grows 3 The landscaping around of the ornamental beds the new Science Center contain perennials and is almost complete. The flowering shrubs. The Fern Collection Map 3 landscape was designed Grounds Department to require minimal prides itself on introduc- Arboretum Web Page 4 maintenance, have a ing new and different large diversity of plants, plants to the AASU and be visually appeal- landscape, consequently, Featured Plant: 4 The Tung-oil Tree ing. the Science Center land- To create a low scape contains many maintenance landscape, plants not used any- we limited turf areas to where else on campus. sites getting full sun Here is a partial list of and shaped them to some of the interesting eliminate the need for plants used. Japanese Fir (Abies firma) line trimming. • Japanese Fir- Abies Centipede sod was firma. This is a heat • Japanese Evergreen Did you know? installed in these areas tolerant species of Oak- Quercus because of its low the genus that in- glauca. This me- fertility requirements. cludes the Fraser The Armstrong Atlantic State dium sized tree University Arboretum en- The shady south and Fir and Balsam Fir growing to 20 to 30 compasses Armstrong’s 250 west sides of the and is native to Ja- feet tall has leath- acre campus and displays over building contain large pan. Several are ery, dark green 100 species of trees and over shrub beds which planted along the leaves. Planted 200 species of shrubs and require minimal east side of the Sci- (Continued on page 2) other woody plants. Devel- maintenance and most ence Center. oped areas of campus contain native and introduced species of trees and shrubs, the ma- jority of which are labeled. Natural areas of campus con- tain plants typical in Georgia’s WHY A NEWSLETTER? coastal broadleaf evergreen forests such as live oak, Why does the Arboretum than just a name. This landscape cultural prac- southern magnolia, red bay, need a newsletter? The newsletter will attempt to tices, anticipated bloom horse sugar, and sparkleberry. AASU campus landscape keep the Armstrong com- dates, and descriptions of The Arboretum is managed and maintained by the has slowly but steadily munity informed of new future projects. We will Grounds Department in the evolved to contain a tre- developments concerning also introduce you to the Department of Plant Opera- mendous diversity of the Arboretum and activi- people who take care of tions. plants. Many of these ties of the Grounds De- the Arboretum. plants are labeled, but partment. There will be there is more to the story articles on unique plants, PAGE 2 ARBORETUM NEWS VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

SCIENCE CENTER LANDSCAPE NEARS COMPLETION

(Continued from page 1) dendrons. • Common White Jasmine– Jas- along the east side of the Sci- • Chinese Tulip Poplar- Lirio- minum officinale. This semi- ence Center, it is a native of dendron chinense. A native of evergreen spreading shrub Japan and China. China and Indochina, these can grow to 10 feet in height. • Sweetbox- Sarcococca confusa, fast growing trees are located It has white flowers that are Sarcococca hookerana humi- on the north side of the Sci- intoxicatingly fragrant and is lis, Sarcococca orientalis, Sar- ence Center. Planted as a trib- growing along the driveway cococca ruscifolia chinensis, ute to the past presidents of on the north side of the Sci- Sarcococca saligna. These five AASU, these trees have larger ence Center. White Jasmine is different species are all ever- leaves than their north Ameri- native to the Caucasus, Af- green and prefer to grow in can relative the Tulip Poplar. ghanistan, the Himalayas and shade. Possessing fragrant • Round-leaf Vitex- Vitex rotun- China. flowers, Sweetbox can be used difolia. This tall groundcover • Chinese Redbud– Cercis as an effective tall ground- has purple flower spikes and chinensis. This species of red- cover. They are all planted on should grow 1 to 2 feet tall. bud, native to central China, the south side of the building Round-leaf Vitex is related to is very similar to our native under the Live Oak trees. two other species of Vitex species, Cercis canadensis. • Daphniphyllum- Daphniphyl- growing on campus, Vitex ne- Both have reddish purple lum macropodum. This large gundo, located in front of flowers early in the spring and evergreen shrub has a slight MCC and Vitex angus-castus, heart shaped, dark green bluish sheen and is growing located on the west side of leaves but Chinese Redbud outside the southwest en- Lane Library. Native to Asia grow to only about 15 feet in trance along the sidewalk. A and Australia, Vitex rotundifo- height while Eastern Redbud native of Japan and Korea, lia is growing next to the can reach 30 feet in height. Daphniphyllum somewhat driveway on the north side of It’s interesting the number of resembles large–leaved rhodo- the Science Center. species from eastern Asian • Chalkbark Maple– Acer leu- countries, particularly China, coderme. This native tree is a that grow well in our climate. southern variation of Sugar One explanation is that Geor- Maple and grows to 25 to 30 gia and portions of China are feet tall. With excellent fall both located on the southeast- colors ranging from red to yel- ern corner of a large landmass low-orange, there are several at about the same latitude. of these trees planted on the This may account for similar north side of the east–west environmental conditions. building of the Science Center. Who we are Name– Angela Hensley Favorite plant on campus– Variegated junipers. Job title– Groundskeeper I What do you like to do for fun Number of years at AASU- 1 1/2 when your not at work?- I like to Job duties– include cutting the go to the movies, shopping, dancing, grass, irrigation, and general main- sports, and work in my yard. tenance of campus grounds. Favorite part of job– meeting all the individuals on campus. VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 ARBORETUM NEWS PAGE 3

FERN COLLECTION CONTINUES TO GROW

The Fern collection located in front • Closest to the steps of Jenkins red color. of Jenkins Hall continues to expand Hall is Australian Sword Fern with five new species added this (Nephrolepis obliterata). This • Another newly planted species, winter. There are now 19 species of Australian native can grow in Hart’s Tongue Fern (Pyrrosia ferns in the collection. A map and full sun and will form a dense lingua), has a very unique leaf guide will soon be available with a mat. for a fern. Also called Japanese brief description of all the ferns in Felt Fern, this evergreen, creep- the collection and an explanation of • Macho Fern (Nephrolepis biser- ing fern has simple lanceolate the fascinating life history of ferns. rata) is a pantropical species leaves and the underside can be can tolerate sunnier locations, covered with a reddish mat of will form dense colonies, and hairs and spores. This fern is can be invasive. This evergreen native to Japan, Taiwan, China, species is related to the common Vietnam, and northeast India. Boston Fern. • Leather Leaf Fern (Rumohra • Mahogany Fern adiantiformis) has stiff, leath- (Didymochlaena truncatula) is ery leaves and is often used in a beautiful fern with glossy, floral arrangements . This fern dark green foliage. A genus of is native to Africa, Australia, one species, it is native to tropi- New Zealand, Polynesia, and cal Africa, America, and Polyne- South America. Hart’s Tongue Fern (Pyrrosia lingua) sia Its new growth is a bronze–

Jenkins Hall Fern Garden 1. Royal Fern- Osmunda regalis 2 3 4 2. Maiden Fern- Thelypteris kunthii 5 3. Gemmiferous Spikemoss- Selaginella moellendorffii 1 4. Holly Fern- Cyrtomium falcatum 8 9 7 5. Dixie Wood Fern- Dryopteris x australis 12 6. Netted Chain Fern- Woodwardia areolata 11 19 10 6 7. Peacock Spikemoss- Selaginella uncinata 14 13 8. Cinnamon Fern- Osmunda cinnomomea 9. Christmas Fern- Polystichum acrostichoides 10. Korean Rock Fern- Polystichum tsu-simense 11. Ghost Fern- Athyrium x Ghost 12. Autumn Fern- Dryopteris erythrsora 16 15 17 13. Japanese Painted Fern- Athyrium nipponicum pictum 14. Silver Cloak Fern- Cheilanthes argenta 15. Hart's Tongue Fern- Pyrrosia lingua 18 16. Mahogany Fern- Didymochlaena truncatula 17. Macho Fern- Nephrolepis biserrata 18. Leather Leaf Fern- Rumohra adiantiformis 19. Australian Sword Fern- Nephrolepis obliterata A NEWSLETTER OF THE ARMSTRONG ATLANTIC STATE UNIVERSITY ARBORETUM

Plant Operations Attn: Philip Schretter 11935 Abercorn Street Savannah, GA 31411

ARBORETUM NOW ON THE WEB

The AASU Arboretum now has a web page. Cindy Bucko, a student in the School of Computing, has spent over a year developing the site. Collaborating with Grounds Superintendent Philip Schretter, Ms. Bucko created the overall design, provided many of the photo- graphs, and with her web building exper- tise has allowed for future growth of the site. Still under development, the site can The Arboretum News is a quarterly newsletter pro- be found by following a link on the School duced by Philip Schretter, the Grounds Superinten- of Computing web page on the AASU web dent of Armstrong Atlantic State University. site.

Featured Plant: Tung-oil Tree

The Tung-oil Tree (Aleurites fordii) yards. is a native of central and western China where seedlings have been The fruits of this tree planted for thousands of years. A are 2 to 3 inch diame- small tree that can grow to 20 foot ter pear-shaped tall, it has large, dark green, heart drupes that turn from shaped leaves and produces a milky dark green to brown sap at the petiole when broken. The when mature and large white flowers with rose contain 3 to 5 large throated centers are attractive and seeds. The oil rich abundant. There is a good specimen kernel inside the located on campus on the east side seeds are the reason of the Fine Arts Building near the Tung-oil Trees are ceramics classroom. Tung-oil Trees cultivated commer- can also be found in Savannah’s cially. The quick- historic district planted in court- drying oil is used to manufacture lac- quers, varnishes, paints, resins, Florida to eastern Texas. “During World War II, the Chinese greases, and polishing compounds. used tung oil for motor fuel. It tended Tung-oils are used to coat contain- Tung trees usually begin bearing to gum up the engines, so they ers for food, beverages, and medi- fruit in their third year of growth and in commercial production by processed it to make it compatible with cines. Major producing countries are mainland China and South their fourth or fifth year. Maximum gasoline. The mixture worked fine.” America (Argentina and Paraguay). production is in 10-12 years. J. Page They are planted in the U.S. from Both the leaves and seeds of this