The Newsletter of the International Oak Society&, Volume 16, No. 1, Winter 2012

Greek OakOak Open Days: News September 26 - October Notes 2, 2011 From the 21st century CE to the 2nd century—BCE! The next morning early we met our large tour bus and its charming and skillful driver, Grigoris, who hails from the mountain village of Gardiki not far from here. We did a bit of leisurely botanizing before we reached Perdika, our first destination of the day. There are two reasons to visit Perdika: one is the Karavostasi beach, a curving strand with golden sand, and the archaeological site of Dymokastron, a Hellenis- tic mountain-top town reached by a steep hike. The view of the beach far below was beautiful, as it must have been when the town was still inhabited. The town was destroyed in 167 BCE by a Roman army, along with most of the other towns in the vicinity, all allied with Rome’s enemy, Macedonia. The site is under active excavation, and we were able to admire the remnants of protective walls (how in the world did they get those big stones up there?), building foundations, and cisterns, which were certainly needed in case of a prolonged siege, Some members of the IOS Greek tour relaxing under the plane tree in the which Dymocastron must have experienced more than once. village square. Vitsa, Epirus, Greece. (Photo: Gert Dessoy) The site also has many living trees, including wild pears (Py- rus spinosa Vill., also known as P. amygdaliformis Vill.) and uring this early autumn week of incomparable weather, figs (Ficus carica L.) which appear to be descendants of wild Dtwelve members of the IOS, and three others who were native trees selected by the original inhabitants, as well as guests, enjoyed a truly memorable time in northern Greece. some oaks, of course, such as Quercus coccifera L., Q. cerris There were 13 men and two women, one the wife of the tour L., Q macrolepis Kotschy. The morning ended with a hike and leader, the other my own traveling companion. People on the picnic lunch in a sylvan canyon nearby, filled with oaks and tour were one from the UK, two Americans, two from Hol- enormous plane (sycamore) trees (Platanus orientalis L.). It land, the rest Belgians. In many ways the tour was a “move- able feast.” (However, while those wild plums may make good slivovitz, they sure were sour!) The tour was organized by Belgian nurseryman Dirk Benoit, IOS Tour Committee Director, and led by Bruno Van Puijenbroek of the Belgian Dendrological Society. Bruno’s more than 25 years of bota- nizing in Greece guaranteed that we would see the best sites for botanizing and enjoy the beauty that this rarely visited part of Greece offers to outsiders.

The tour began on Monday, September 26, in Igoumenitsa, a tourist and port town on the Ionian Sea opposite the island of Corfu in the far northwest of Greece. People began to arrive there in the afternoon of the 25th, and our first event together was dinner in the late evening in an outside setting uptown. The food was of course delicious (Greek cuisine is one of the best kept secrets of European cuisine) and we were really amazed at how one waitress could cover so many tables so ef- Tree form of Quercus coccifera, possibly a hybrid. Vitsa, Epirus, Greece. (Photo: Gert Dessoy) ficiently and graciously, and after dark besides! Oak News & Notes

Acorns of shrub form Quercus coccifera. Tree form of Quercus coccifera; note the prickly Forest of Quercus frainetto. Zagori, Epirus, (Photo: Allan Taylor) cap. Vitsa, Epirus, Greece. (Photo: Gert Dessoy) Greece. (Photo: Allan Taylor)

Acorns of Q. macrolepis on tree. Epirus, Greece. Leaves and acorn of Quercus macrolepis. Epirus, Leaves of Quercus frainetto against sky. Zagori, (Photo: Allan Taylor) Greece. (Photo: Gert Dessoy) Epirus, Greece. (Photo: Allan Taylor) is interesting to note that the Greeks so feet); the first is Mount Olympus, in Fagus sylvatica L., European beech, appreciate the plane tree that it is illegal Greek Macedonia, whose highest point Populus alba L., white poplar, and to cut them in the wild. There are many reaches over 2,895 meters (9,500 feet) many naturalized stands of the Ameri- Greek folksongs about the platano, above sea level. Our destination for can tree Robinia pseudoacacia L., black which is traditionally associated with the night was the Zagori District, spe- locust. water and coolness. They got that right! cifically the Epirot town of Vitsa. We botanized along the way, stopping often Sites along the route to Vitsa included During the afternoon we all discovered to view the many different oak species the interesting “Pancake Rocks,” lime- our inner tourist: overnight was at a which are native here: Q. calliprinos stone formations where weathering of delightful beach hotel at Lichnos, near Webb (Palestine oak), Q. cerris (Tur- the strata has produced what looks like Parga. In addition to swimming, many key oak), Q. coccifera (Kermes oak), stacks of pancakes. The foreground of of us were treated to a speed boat ride Q. frainetto Ten. (Hungarian or Italian some of these formations was occupied by the owner of hostel. The food here, oak), Q.macrolepis (Valonian oak), Q. by beautiful beds of blooming Sternber- expectable for a tourist area, was out- petraea (Mattuschka) Liebl. (Durmast gia lutea (L.) Ker-Gawl. ex Spreng (no, standing. It’s hard to decide which was oak), Q. pubescens Willd. (Downy oak, not named for Guy Sternberg!), their better, the beach or the veranda, with including a form of the species called brilliant yellow flowers brightening the recorded Greek popular music and nice Q. virgiliana (Ten.), Q. robur (English otherwise autumn landscape. Through- cold drinks. Incidentally, this is one oak), subspecies pedunculiflora (K. out the tour we also saw occasional pur- ple autumn-blooming colchicums and of the most beautiful areas of Greece Koch) Menitsky. I had never seen oaks many blooming cyclamens (probably I have ever visited. Keep it in mind if in the Cerris section, and I was aston- Cyclamen hederifolium Aiton). Other you intend to visit Greece! ished at the size of the acorns and the attractions in the Zagori District were long, thick fringe on the acorn cap in large stands of Acer monspessulanum Now for the mountain flora… species in this section. Also very fre- L., Montpellier maple, most with abun- On Wednesday, September 28 we drove quent was Cercis siliquastrum L, heavy dant seed, and some with orange fall into the Pindus Mountains, not far from with reddish-brown seed pods, testi- color; these trees were very attractive to mony to the abundant pink flowers of the Albanian border. Here is the second those of us from cold areas where the highest mountain in Greece, Mount last spring. Also common were Celtis same species from the western Mediter- Smolikas: 2,640 meters asl. (8,660 australis L., Mediterranean hackberry, ranean cannot survive. Also present was

2 Oak News & Notes

Sternbergia lutea near Pancake Rocks. Zagori, Limestone roof. Vitsa, Zagori, Epirus, Greece. Kokkoro stone bridge, near Kipoi, Epirus, Greece. Epirus, Greece. (Photo: Allan Taylor) (Photo: Allan Taylor) (Photo: Allan Taylor)

Blooming cyclamen. Zagori District, Epirus, Heavy timbers supporting limestone roof. Vitsa, Kokkoro stone bridge, side and top view. Greece. (Photo: Allan Taylor) Zagori, Epirus, Greece. (Photo: Allan Taylor) (Photo: Allan Taylor)

Acer opalus Mill., Italian maple. Here two nights, was extremely picturesque. enjoyed a number of beers and ouzos also we first encountered the beautiful Most of the houses, and the streets apart under that tree. At night the local street Quercus trojana Webb, (Macedonian from the modern highway, are built of dogs slept under the tree and in the street oak). Other trees of interest were Cra- hand-tailored limestone blocks; the roofs in front of it, curled up in the abundant taegus orientalis M. Bieb., silver thorn are also made from thin sheets of lime- fallen leaves of the ancient tree. tree, with large edible fruits, and the stone. The picture this gave of genera- rare bigeneric hybrid x Malosorbus flo- tions of manual labor was sobering. Using Vitsa as our base we made many rentina (Zuccagni) Browicz, Florentine hikes in the area, admiring oaks and crab apple, thought by some to be a One of the most memorable things about other trees, as well as several Ottoman natural cross between a species of Ma- Vitsa was the small square (mesochori) bridges dating from the 16th century. lus and Sorbus, but generally regarded in front of our hotel, which was shaded These high, narrow limestone bridges as a species of Malus. by a gigantic plane tree. The tree was were built so that people and pack so large that the entire square was per- animals could safely cross the rushing Another treat of this section of our petually shaded. Such mesochoria are mountain streams of the area. People journey was the afternoon visit near typical of the villages in the Zagori. We who have any familiarity with these Oxia to the Vikos Gorge carved by the bridges usually think of the famous Voidamatis River; this very impressive bridge at Mostar over the Neretva canyon, with towering limestone cliffs River, in Croatia, completed around 3,000 feet (roughly 915 meters) high, 1569. It was destroyed in the fighting was breathtaking, even dizzying, and there in the 1990s. The news is that not something you might expect to find there are several of these still standing in Europe. It is located in a national in the Zagori and in neighboring Greek park, The Vikos-Aoos Nature Reserve, Macedonia. One particularly beautiful established in 1974. one is the Gephyri Kokkorou, which is along the road to Kipoi (“Gardens”) Of limestone, plane trees, and where we also spent time exploring the graceful Ottoman bridges Limestone block street, with dogs. Vitsa, Zagori, surroundings. The village of Vitsa, where we stayed Epirus, Greece. (Photo: Allan Taylor)

3 Oak News & Notes The Greek Lake District park, and renowned for the abundant in Greece of the Slavic republic’s use On Thursday, September 29, we bota- wildlife found there, including wolves, of the name of the ancient kingdom of nized a bit on our way to the Greek bears, lynx, and the large, rare Dalma- Alexander the Great, whom the Greeks “Lake District.” Along the way we tian pelican (Pelecanus crispus Bruch). claim as their own and aren’t about to were impressed by the large stands of The most prominent oak in this area is lend to non-Greeks, particularly when Q. frainetto, called both the “Italian” Q. petraea (Matt.) Liebl.which occurs they are Vourgaroi (Bulgarians). But and the “Hungarian” oak. (If it had in very large stands. We spent the after- ethnic animosities are overcome each been first described in Greece, would noon hiking near Megale Prespa after August, when a musical concert is held it be called the “Greek Oak?”). There enjoying a wonderful lunch in the small, here under the stars, featuring artists were also pine forests (Pinus nigra lakeside village of Psarades (“Fisher- from Greece and neighboring Balkan J.F. Arnold, Austrian pine), in fact, we men”). This is bean country, and there countries; I have to say that it would be stopped for a hike in a small mountain were people selling many different sorts difficult to find a more lovely setting to town in western Macedonia called sim- of beans out of their vans across the enjoy the timeless beauty of music… ply Pefkos, from the Greek word pefko, street from our restaurant. Indeed, we which means “pine”. This area of Greece had some of the beans as a meze (“ap- Still more mountains, with gets very cold in winter; one resident I petizer”) before lunch: giant beans (3 or fruited plains between… spoke to told me that he had seen -27° C 4 cm long, over an inch in the English The next day, Saturday, October 1 we (-18° F). Pefkos is located at 1,058 me- system) called gigantes (no translation set out early, for the long drive to the ters (around 3,500 feet) above sea level. required!). The main course was, expect- other end of the Pindus range. The ter- edly, fish from the lake. Another interest- rain was mountainous. Along the way, In the evening we reached the first and ing attraction was a van whose owner was we drove through prosperous orchard most famous lake of the Greek Lake selling all kinds of preserved vegetables country, bordering Lake Vergontis, with District, Lake Orestiada. This lake, and fruits: pickles and jams of all kinds, as lots of plantations of fruit trees such as as the other northern Greek lakes, well as different flavors of honey, in glass peaches, pears, and apples, many with is surrounded by high, rather barren jars; some of them looked so appetizing, unpicked fruit. Many of the apple trees hills, very brown at this season. This e.g., quince and sour cherry preserves, that were espaliered on wire-strand fences, reminded me of similar lakes and reser- I bought some and passed them around at literally forming a “wall of apples.” voirs in the western United States. In a lunch. There were also many chestnut trees similar topography in northern Europe, (Castanea sativa Mill., sweet chestnut), e.g., Switzerland or Bavaria, the lakes That evening we had another treat: our heavy with burs. We were also startled would be surrounded by hills covered lodging was a hotel located on Agios to see water buffalo near the lake. As in thick conifer forest. The lower rain- Achileos, an island in Lake Micre we climbed higher into the Voras range, fall in this part of the Balkans, (and the Prespa. We hiked across a long cause- toward the ski station at Kaimaktsalan, interior American West), is probably way, past thick stands of giant reeds we reached a high ridge (over 2000 me- the explanation for this, although burn- (Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex ters elevation, around 6,600 feet) near ing by shepherds to create grasslands Steud.) growing in the water, to the the ski station. The ridge was covered could also be responsible. The town island, while our luggage was brought with outcroppings of what looked like of Kastoria, which surrounds the lake, over by boat. We were in the middle schist, and here and there among these is very touristic; we had our evening of a very small northern Greek village, were many low mounds of Juniperus meal there, but didn’t spend any time populated mostly by chickens, goats, communis L var. saxatilis Pall, com- looking around, since shopping was not lots of dogs and cats of indeterminate mon juniper, many with ripe seed, as our reason for being there. Before dark breed, and maybe 20 human beings. well as a spiny, ground-hugging plant we did enjoy the pelicans, ducks, and The main touristic attraction of the is- in the Fabaceae, possibly Astragalus swans swimming and diving in the lake land (not counting fishing!) is a ruined angustifolius Lam. This cold and windy in front of our hotel. Eastern Orthodox basilica named for pastureland, virtual tundra, is what most Agios (Saint) Achileos, built in the 10th of Greece looked like during the Pleis- The next morning we set off early (as century by the Slavic (Macedonian) tocene ice age, before the onset of the usual), headed for the other main lakes Tsar Samuel who ruled the area at that warm Holocene some 10,000 years ago. in the area, Megale (“big”) and Micre time. I was interested to note on the (“little”) Prespa. These lakes are so explanatory plaque in front of the ruin, As we approached the town of Arnissa close to both Albania and the former Yu- (with texts in both Greek and English), we were flagged down by a man who goslav Republic of Macedonia that all that the name “Macedonian” had been turned out to be a restaurant owner who three countries share sovereignty of the scratched out in both texts. This is a recognized a potential clientele in our larger lake. The whole area is a national reflection of the continuing resentment tour bus. His motto was evidently “If your customers don’t come to you, go

4 Oak News & Notes When the visit to the monastery was completed, it was time for lunch, and the bus, by now in running order again, picked up the hikers at the monastery. Lunch was at the same restaurant as on Saturday night. After lunch the journey back to Igoumenitsa was begun. By general agreement, the route followed was a high-speed motorway, rather than the rural roads which had been fol- lowed throughout the tour. People were Rock spires at Kalampaka, Thessaly, Greece, some Monastery of the Holy Trinity. Kalampaka, Thes- by now thinking of returning home, of which harbor medieval monasteries. Note the saly, Greece. (Photo: Gert Dessoy) satisfied with their exploration of the oak trees, probably Q. frainetto, in the fore- northern Greek mountains, but eager to ground. (Photo: Gert Dessoy) get back to their normal lives and a less hurried pace. find them!” We decided to follow him Van Puijenbroek, who was given a copy to his restaurant, which proved to be a of the beautiful two volume Guide illus- All in all, the trip was a rewarding and very good choice. tré des chênes (Illustrated Guide to the unforgettable visit to one of the less Oaks), whose author, Antoine le Hardÿ familiar parts of Europe, which just hap- Soaring spires and peaceful de Beaulieu, was one of the members of pens to be blessed with an extremely our group. Bruno was visibly touched, contemplation rich flora. Our goal for today was Kalampaka, in and he will certainly treasure this monu- mental work as a souvenir of this tour. Thessaly, to the east and south, which is Now, what about you? one of the best-known tourist destina- I am sure that I speak for all of the fif- tions in Greece. Just north of the town The last chapter teen participants in this exciting tour that are towering sandstone and conglomerate Although I did not participate in the “a good time was had by all!”. More- crags and pillars, some 1800 feet (about group activities of the last day of the over, the opportunity to photograph and 550 meters) high, dating from the early tour, this is what was done, according to collect seed from wild trees in their natu- Cenozoic period (60 million years before participants. ral habitats greatly enhanced the many present), many crowned by churches or pleasures of the excursion. If you have monasteries built by Hesychists in the The main scheduled activity of the not yet participated in an IOS event of th th Middle Ages (14 and 15 centuries). morning was a visit to the principal this kind, I hope that my description of “Hesychist” comes from the Greek monastery of the Meteora, the Agia the Greek Oak Open Days will suggest word hesychia, which means ‘respite, Triada (“Holy Trinity”). There was to you what you are missing, and moti- quietude, peace.’ These were men (and some difficulty with the bus, such that vate you to join a future IOS tour. You’ll some women) who sought refuge from it couldn’t be driven up to the monas- be glad you did, because oak trees and the turbulent world of temptation and tery, so the group decided to hike up. “oak nuts” are the greatest! sin in the solitude of cliff-top aeries, six In this they were guided by “Frosso” of which are still active monasteries. (Efrossyni) one of the hotel owner’s Allan Taylor The buildings high in the sky gives the daughters, a student of forestry who was Greek name for the area, “The Meteora.” familiar with the area. But a distraction (Again, no translation required.) from the principal goal of the hike came up at the very edge of Kastraki, where As soon as we arrived in Kastraki, a a Mediterranean forest begins. It was suburban village very close to Kalam- incredibly rich in the tree and shrub spe- paka, most of the members of our party cies of the eastern Mediterranean. Of rushed off to see the spires, armed with most interest were the many different cameras and full of enthusiasm for the oaks: Quercus cerris, Q.coccifera, Q. stupendous views. After everyone had frainetto, Q. ilex L., Q. petraea, Q. pu- returned, as darkness began to fall, we bescens, and Q. robur. After a renewed gathered in the hotel restaurant for din- acquaintance with these lower-altitude ner. This meal counted as our “fare- oaks, many already familiar from the Looking down on Kalampaka from the Holy Trinity well dinner,” since I and my traveling first day of the tour, some of the guys Monastery. (Photo: Gert Dessoy) companion would be leaving the tour continued on up to the monastery. Oth- early the next day. After dinner we gave ers chose to return to Kastraki to sight- m m m formal thanks to our tour leader, Bruno see there.

5 Oak News & Notes In the Spotlight: Emily Griswold from Davis, California, USA ho are the members of the Inter- Up until this year she was also the first Wnational Oak Society? From what coordinator of the ambitious North walks – and interests – of life do they American Plant Collections Consortium come? From Holland to Arkansas, from Multisite Quercus Collection http:// Argentina to Israel, we hope to be able www.publicgardens.org/content/what- to present at least some of them in Oak napcc; for oaks, click on Collections News & Notes. If you know someone by Name. She was very involved in the whom you would like to see “In the creation of this innovative project and Q. virginiana. (Photo: Shirley Denton.) Spotlight” please let us know! will remain active within the organiza- tion while stepping down from this posi- Emily Griswold – member of the IOS tion that she has held for the past four since 2006 – was born in 1976 in Cali- years. Surely bad news for the NAPCC fornia, the American state that holds – but surely good news for the IOS since second place (after Texas) for total num- Emily is a candidate for the IOS Board ber of oak species. Her early childhood elections in 2012… memories are strewn with the prickly leaves of Quercus agrifolia Née poking Emily’s favorite oak and acorn? Hard her bare feet while she was growing up to decide. “One of my favorite oaks is in Oakland, a place named for its coast definitelyQuercus rugosa Née. I like the Emily Griswold with Quercus agrifolia at Montaña live oaks. From then on, it seems that her rough texture of the leaves and the fact De Oro State Park, California. (Photo: Nikhil Joshi) career choices and interests have in some that the tree defies most North Americans’ way or another been touched by oaks. concept of what an oak should look like. tum. I eagerly signed up for the confer- We have a specimen from Oaxaca in ence and the pre- and post-conference Perhaps her first esthetic revelations Shields Oak Grove with the most beauti- tours. I had such a fantastic time and came from an initial interest in landscape ful, deep green luxuriant foliage. Quercus learned so much that I knew this would architecture. “While in high school I ithaburensis Decne. acorns are one of be an organization to stay involved with. was able to take classes at UC Berkeley my favorites. I like the ornate, recurved My membership supports my profes- with Professor Russell Beatty. He was a bristles on the acorn cup. I think of it as a sional goals to network with oak experts great appreciator of oaks, and he taught robust and regal-looking acorn.” and learn more about the diversity and me to love the beautiful broad branches cultivation of oaks, but it is also person- and twisted forms of heritage coast live Her experience at the UC Davis Ar- ally very fulfilling to connect with others oaks. He also taught me about their boretum continues to be a rich one. who share a passion for these trees.” susceptibility to damage from over-ir- She has led projects to improve the rigation or poor construction practices. documentation of the collection through So in her small urban garden she has The combination of strength, majesty, photography, herbarium specimens and planted a valley oak, grown from an and longevity with vulnerability was labeling as well as those concerned with acorn that was part of a table decoration quite compelling to me. Dr. Beatty was accessibility to visitors involving a new for an NAPCC ceremony. And she is the first person who taught me truly to trail system, art/science fusion installa- thinking about removing other trees in understand and embrace the native oak tions and interpretive signage. Through order to plant more oaks. landscape of my home. My interest in her participation in IOS conferences, oaks increased when I moved to Davis as Emily has also been able to enrich the When asked to tell a “tree” story, Emily a student and started working at the UC UC Davis collection with wild-origin talks about the scrub jay. “I assume Davis Arboretum.” accessions from Texas and Mexico. that it’s the scrub jay who planted the coast live oak in my parent’s backyard Today, Emily manages the University of She has also had the great fortune to have – an urban lot in Oakland, a city where, California Davis Arboretum’s scientific worked with the late Dr. John Tucker. ironically, few native oaks remain. The oak collection in Shields Oak Grove, “(He) was the first one to mention the persistence of the jay/oak relationship in home to over 275 mature oaks repre- International Oak Society to me as I this urban environment insures that little senting 84 taxa from around the world was working on a collection analysis oak seedlings will continue sprouting up (see Oak News & Notes, Volume 14, for Shields Oak Grove in 1999. In 2006 all over the city…” No. 2, Summer, 2010). I learned about the conference in Texas from Kunso Kim of the Morton Arbore- Béatrice Chassé m m m

6 Oak News & Notes Blossoming New Collections: Le Bois de Montauté (Nièvre, France) uels que soient la compétence In addition to collaborating with estab- “Qet le dévouement de son dé- lished collections such as the two afore- tenteur, il n’est aucune collection dont mentioned, disseminating new plant l’avenir soit assuré à long terme. En material with interesting provenances conséquence, chacun devra s’efforcer can also serve to establish the backbone d’effectuer la duplication de sa collec- of new collections built from wild-col- tion.” lected material.

(“Whatever the competence and dedi- Since 2009 we have collaborated with cation of its owner, there is no collec- Rudolf and Antoinette von Fürstenberg tion whose long-term future is secure. in developing their oak collection, the Quercus canbyi Trel. (Photo: Jean Mottet) Consequently, all must strive to dupli- first tree of which was planted in the cate their collections.”) spring of 2007. Over 70 North Ameri- site to create terraces angled at 45°. The can oak species grown from seed at project was proposed and discussed A few years ago this sentence in a l’Arboretum des Pouyouleix have now with Lafarge, the French company publication of the Conservatoire des been added to the collections at the responsible for managing and mining Collections Végétales Spécialisées Bois de Montauté. the site. Rudolf donated the land for (Conservatory of Specialized Plant Col- the terraces and assumed responsibility lections) left me a bit puzzled. I couldn’t “From the very start, we only wanted for managing the arboretum himself. quite visualize what duplicating a col- to plant trees from wild-collected seed The company agreed to this innovative lection was. How could this be done? for which the collection data was avail- management plan and the project was Acquire more land elsewhere? Have two able. This is not easy to find in France officially started in 2005. arboretums to take care of? Good heav- and we were quite fortunate to visit the ens! Of course, at the time, I did not Arboretum des Pouyouleix and see how The transformation of this waste mate- have much of an idea about what taking many new species of oak were available rial allows, in turn, for the realization care of even one arboretum meant. to be planted. And in excellent starting of their original goal: the creation of a conditions in the sense that not only mountain lake in the pit when the mine Obviously, these words just mean that would we be planting the same species ceases operation in about 30 years. Ru- the systematic planting of specimens as Béatrice & Gérard but more impor- dolf chuckles when he points out that of the same origin in different places tantly, we would be planting plants of this is a project whose term may be 100 should be actively pursued. Here at the the same origin, raised the same year years – which counting from when he Arboretum des Pouyouleix we are very and in identical conditions” Rudolf started brings us to the year 2066! lucky in having established such ex- observes. changes early on (by means of seeds or Le Bois de Montauté comprises 700 seedlings) with different collections in The story of the creation of this col- hectares (around 1730 acres) of for- Europe, most importantly, those of Mi- lection could be entitled “How to est, clear cut after the Second World chael Heathcoat Amory in Chevithorne transform an industrial mining site into War, after which about one quarter was Barton (UK) and of Francisco Garin in a mountain lake and park featuring an replanted with conifers by Rudolf’s Iturraran (Spain). oak collection.” father. This planting policy was dis- continued in 1966 when Rudolf arrived Mining for porphyry (used for ballast with another vision of the forest and of on high-speed train tracks) produces nature in general. It is always interest- an enormous amount of waste mate- ing and informative to listen to him rial which, though not dangerous, is relate his relationship to the different extremely voluminous. The von Furst- places in the world where he has plant- enbergs’ idea was to use this waste ma- ed trees (Argentina, Chile, France and terial for the construction of terraces on Spain). The leitmotiv being the firm an adjacent site. One million cubic me- conviction that man is a part of nature ters (more than 35 million cubic feet) and that it is possible to manage af- of material would be gathered up and fairs in a harmonious manner, infinitely Quercus cupreata Trel. & C. H. Muller placed on a twelve hectare (thirty acre) more agreeable to man, beast, and (Photo: Jean Mottet) plant. For example, fences are usually

7 Oak News & Notes Rudolf and Antoinette are convinced Oak Open Day that French forestry needs to make an effort to look at new species that may in Belgium 2011 offer interesting possibilities – and not t was pouring rain the morning of just for timber production as discussed Ithe 4th of September, 2011. About above. They are planting Q. canbyi 35 members and non-members had an- Trel., Q. myrsinifolia Blume, Q. ryso- nounced that they would attend the oak phylla Weatherby, and Q. hypoleucoi- open day. Most of those in attendance des A. Camus as well as many others, were from Belgium, but three members in order to determine which species traveled from the Czech Republic, two Oak seedlings supplied to the Bois de Montauté offer interesting possibilities. from the Netherlands and two from by the Arboretum Pouyouleix. France. However, some were obviously (Photo: Béatrice Chassé) Rudolf and Antoinette are new mem- put off by the weather, as only around used to keep animals out. But there are bers of the International Oak Society. I 25 showed up at the brand new visitor times when what these animals do is look forward to the opportunity of orga- center of the Arboretum Wespelaar. beneficial to the forest (and vice versa) nizing an Oak Open Day in a few years and therefore the fences can be used to time to visit this unique collection. Arboretum Wespelaar keep the animals in. This is doing the and Herkenrode Béatrice Chassé most with, and the least against, the The Arboretum Wespelaar shelters part ecosystem. m m m of the collections of Philippe de Spoel- berch. Initially, the arboretum was a 15 Choosing the genus Quercus is also hectare (37 acre) plot comprising a na- part of this philosophy because the im- The Fibonacci tive oak wood planted around 1890 and portant thing is that these trees produce an old meadow. It was landscaped in fruit that can be (are, and have been) Sequence the mid 1980’s. The best oaks were kept eaten by man and animal throughout We all knew that trees are designed to be and the wood was planted with shade- history. We mustn’t forget this econom- efficient users of sunlight. Check out this loving plants. Two ponds were created ically and historically important role : URL for a description of the mathematics in the meadow, which was planted with trees are not just for timber. “Today, in of this process, plus one science student’s extensive collections, including hun- some places, Spain and Morocco, for application of the principle to the design dreds of magnolias. This collection at of solar panels. Wouldn’t we all love to example, certain regions have become Wespelaar is probably the largest mag- have a kid like this one? specialized in the production of Quer- nolia collection in Europe. The arbore- cus suber (Cork oak) acorns for human Allan Taylor tum was later extended by an additional consumption. And the importance of 5 hectares (around 12 acres); a poplar acorns in animal nutrition and good http://www.amnh.org/nationalcenter/ woodland was cleared to make room for youngnaturalistawards/2011/aidan. other plants. forestry management can be found in html#.Tw7wVfO43uY.mailto many different cultures.” In 2007 the arboretum — located on m m m the outskirts of the village of Wespelaar The department of the Nièvre is in the — was donated to a foundation created southwestern part of Burgundy, more by Philippe and endowed with sufficient or less in the center of France. Tem- Erratum funds to preserve the grounds and its col- peratures can reach +40° C (104° F) in We apologize for an unfortunate error lections for generations to come. The summer and drop to –20° C (-4° F) in in the Winter 2011 newsletter. In the foundation subsequently acquired a house winter. Average annual rainfall is about account of the Oak Open Day at the adjacent to the arboretum, De Rode Port 900 mm (3 feet). Kew Royal Botanic Gardens (page (The Red Door), which has since been 9), it was stated that the champion completely renovated and transformed The trees that are part of the collection Quercus crassifolia Humb. & Bonpl. into the arboretum’s visitor center. The are planted with and among the trees growing there was planted in 1934. center was inaugurated in April 2011 and that are there from natural regenera- Its great size belies this statement, this is where Dr. Koen Camelbeke, Direc- tor of the Arboretum Wespelaar, and his tion. Bramble and broom are allowed and it was actually planted in 1840, staff, welcome us. Koen has been work- to have their way, being cut only once a making it 171 years old, not 70 as was ing with Philippe de Spoelberch (also year. The trees that are part of the col- stated. lection are looked after individually, present for the Oak Open Day) for the but they are not overly cared for either. m m m past ten years.

8 Oak News & Notes Duchess of Northumberland. After tour- in 1986. I am not going to name all of Less than fifteen minutes after we had ing the garden at Herkenrode, we walked the numerous oaks we saw, but I will left the visitor center, the rain kindly back to the arboretum through the native just name a few that I found remarkable. stopped; the rest of the day was dry, if oak wood and the magnolia collection. The first isQuercus aff. bicolor Willd. x not really sunny. Koen was our guide. We saw a nice 25 year old specimen of Q. petraea (Matt.) Liebl., a particularly Our first stop was in front of a Quercus Quercus alba L., as well as Q. x bushii vigorous tree. Not everybody agreed on selection called ‘Pondaim’; this cultivar Sarg. We then had lunch in the cafeteria the parentage, but this was certainly a is a must for any garden according to of the visitor center, after which we left fine tree. The second is a good speci- Koen. The late Dick Van Hoey-Smith for the National Botanical Garden of men of Q. x bushii Sarg; my third choice produced several clones of this hybrid Belgium. is a very good Q. lyrata Walter. This is between Quercus dentata x Q. pontica the best specimen of this species that I and at least two spectacular specimens have seen in Belgium. The collection at can be admired at the Trompenburg Ar- m m m Meise contains many more fine oaks and boretum in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. is worth a visit by anyone interested in the genus. And I hope that Dirk will someday We then walked along the pond and The National Botanical Garden stopped at a group of three oaks, Q. il- revisit his 2003 paper and publish an up- licifolia Wangenh., Quercus marilandica of Belgium dated version in the journal of the IOS. Münchh., and the hybrid between the In Meise, we were welcomed by Dirk two Q. x brittonii W. T. Davis. Not far De Meyere, the curator of the outdoor Both gardens which we visited have their away is a bushy shingle oak, Q. imbri- living collections. The National Botani- holdings available on line at www.plant- caria Michx., a nice plant with an atypi- cal Garden of Belgium has one of the col.be. cal habit. largest herbaria in the world, rich in Charles Snyers African tropical plants. Its outdoor liv- We then visited a group of oaks, among ing collections are also very extensive. which were several Quercus x hispanica In the 1980s Dirk assembled here what m m m Lam. cultivars: ‘Fulhamensis’, the Ful- is probably the most comprehensive oak ham oak, which several participants collection in the country. Dirk took us believe to be the best selection of this directly to the collection. On the way, hybrid, then ‘Lucombeana’ and, ‘Di- we walked past the Castle of Bouchout From the Editor versifolia’. Regarding these, several on whose grounds the botanical garden Instructions for bringing seed to participants doubted that the tree said was established after World War II, once the Seed Exchange of the 7th to be ‘Diversifolia’ is correctly identi- it had been moved from the center of fied. Other oaks here areQ. stellata IOS Conference (Bordeaux, Brussels. France) Wangenh., a nice looking specimen and This is being published now so that you Koen’s favorite oak, Q. texana Buckley Dirk grouped the oaks here based on the can begin collecting for the seed ex- ‘New Madrid’. We then walked through classification of Prantl, as described in the former poplar plot, now cleared, Krüssmann (Gerd Krüssmann, Manual change and secure permission to import where we saw a very unhappy Q. rubra of Cultivated Broad-Leaved Trees and seed. The instructions will be published L. ‘Magic Fire’, a northern provenance Shrubs, Vol. 2 (E-Pro). London: Bats- again in the summer newsletter. of Q. michauxii Nutt. and Q. dentata ford Ltd. 1986. (Also available from subsp. yunnanensis (Franch.) Menitsky. Timber Press, Beaverton, OR.). Dirk 1. Collect and bring only clean seed We also stopped to see a Quercus salici- says today that this was not such a bril- with no outward signs of disease or na Blume, a hardy oak which Koen feels liant idea because when classifications infestation by parasites. Examine your should be in every garden. From there change, it is not easy to move the trees to seed for discoloration or insect entry we crossed a dirt road to Herkenrode. a different place. Many oaks have been holes, and float the seeds in water, re- planted here and many have been lost. moving the light (floating) seeds: these Herkenrode is Philippe’s home; it is Dirk wrote an interesting article in 2003 are most likely not viable. surrounded by 9 hectares (around 22 for the yearbook of the Belgian Dendrol- acres) of gardens. It is here that Philippe ogy Society detailing his experience with 2. Keep your seed in refrigeration (but planted his first trees in the late 1960s, the Meise oak collection, many of which NOT frozen) in plastic bags until you although I believe Philippe really dates are beautiful specimens. leave for the conference. If the seed was the first plantings in his collection to picked before fully ripe, spread them 1972. Part of the gardens are formal We started with a group of three oaks of onto a cardboard or cloth in the shade gardens designed by Jacques Wirtz, a differing size and age: Quercus crispula famous Belgian landscape architect who (but away from rodents) until they are Blume, accessioned in 1981, Q. faginea ripe. also designed the Carrousel du Louvre Lam., in 2005, and Q. canariensis Willd. in Paris and the Alnwick Garden for the

9 Oak News & Notes 3. If the seeds emit water vapor in the 9. Follow your own country’s regula- authors point out, more and more oaks are bags and cause condensation, they need tions regarding seed import. Those becoming “urban” as development contin- to be ripened a little more and then living in the US should contact the ues to move into oak woodland areas. placed in clean bags and refrigerated. If USDA-APHIS office for a “small As in the wild, urban oaks are extremely your seeds start to mold in refrigeration, quantities import permit” if you wish important for a multitude of values and remove them from the bags and drench to bring seed home. Do this at least six benefits including aesthetic, ecological, them in a 1:10 solution of bleach:water. months in advance of the conference, recreational, economic and cultural. Let them surface dry, then place them and follow the instructions very closely. However, significant adverse impacts to into a new, sterile bag. Many US members have been through the health and structural stability of oaks this process and we can show you in can result from urban encroachment. 4. Inspect the seeds weekly for signs France how to process, pack, manifest, Changes in the environment, incompati- of fungus. If they begin to sprout dur- and label seed for the return trip as long ble cultural practices, and pest problems ing storage, be careful not to turn the as you have your permit. Those com- can all lead to the early demise of stately bags over because that will encourage ing from Australia, New Zealand, some oaks which end up in an urban setting. the emerging roots to twist. Long roots parts of Europe, Mexico, and certain Using this book you’ll learn how to ef- (radicals) may be pinched back slightly other countries will need to check in ad- fectively manage and protect oaks in to retard growth and encourage branch- vance regarding import restrictions and urban areas – existing oaks as well new ing, but always place them back into procedures. oaks that have been recently planted. storage with the roots directed down- Three key issues are addressed: selec- ward. 10. Bring as much seed to the exchange tion, care, and preservation. You’ll as you can, and be prepared for one of learn how cultural practices, pest man- 5. Package seeds for the exchange in the most exciting “buffet” experiences agement, risk management, preservation small plastic bags of 5-10 seeds per bag. you will ever undertake as an oak per- during development, and genetic di- Label each individual bag with: son! versity can all play a role in preserving • Species (and variety, if any) urban oaks. name; 11. While our purpose is to exchange • Source location and whether oak acorns, other rare or related spe- This book will prove a valuable refer- from wild or cultivated tree; cies such as Lithocarpus may also be ence guide for a variety of professionals • Your own name and contact info and non-professionals, including arbor- brought. (e-mail) for further information. ists, urban foresters, landscape architects, Guy Sternberg planners and designers, golf course 6. Before boarding an airplane, punch a superintendents, academics, Master very small (1 mm) hole in each bag to Gardeners and homeowners. Working release air as the plane depressurizes. together and following the basic tenets Failure to do this may result in the seed outlined, we can all help insure that our bags exploding at the cruising altitude, majestic oaks will remain for years to scattering acorns throughout your lug- come a robust and integral component of gage. the urban landscape. Specific chapters covered in this publica- 7. As soon as you arrive in France, hand Urban Oaks: University of Cali- tion include Species; Genetic Diversity; o your seed donations to the conference fornia Division of Agriculture Health; Growth; Aging and Decline; o coordinator for placement in cool stor- Roots and Soils; Cultural Practices; age until the seed exchange takes place. and Natural Resources Planting; Biotic and Abiotic Disorders; All seeds will be sorted alphabetically Structural Failures, Defects, and Risk As- by Latin name for the exchange. The University of California Division sessment; Fire; Oak Preservation During of Agriculture and Natural Resources Development; and Ordinances for Tree 8. The seed exchange is open to any (ANR) recently published a book en- Protection. participant who is a MEMBER of IOS, titled Oaks in the Urban Landscape. regardless of how many seeds he/she This 265 page book, written by UC You can order a copy online by going Cooperative Extension faculty Laurence may have brought. As you work your to the following site in the ANR cata- Costello and Katherine Jones, and Cali- way through the seed tables at the ex- logue (http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/ fornia Department of Forestry and Fire change, take only small quantities until Items/3518.aspx). This book is avail- Protection Pathologist Bruce Hagen, able only in paperback and costs $55.00. all participants have had an opportunity takes a comprehensive look at the man- to make selections — then go back for agement of oaks in urban areas. As the Douglas McCreary more if there are any. m m m

10 New From the Board drop outsOak largely News matched & byNotes new mem- dent’s recommendations were enacted One of the main functions of the Oak bers. Recruitment of new members is in the various motions which were ap- News and Notes is to keep the member- important, both to grow the society and proved. There was also some discussion ship aware of things that are happening its finances, which in turn can permit of whether IOS tour reports should be in the organization. So, for example, we the Society to do more things for our reported in the Journal or the Society always provide information about IOS stated goal of promoting the well-being newsletter, although there were no mo- sponsored oak tours, either completed or of oaks and knowledge about them. It tions or votes in this connection. One pending. was noted that opening IOS activities opinion is that the longer tours should be to non-members is one good way to published in the Journal, while the short- Another important area which members recruit new members, and there is some er ones should be summarized in the of the IOS need to be aware of is the ac- evidence that this is working. But the newsletter. Another opinion is that given tivities of the IOS Board. These people, best method of recruitment still remains the different kinds of reports tours can who volunteer their time, are elected by word of mouth testimony to nonmem- result in, plus the constraint of produc- the membership every three years; they bers by members, explaining the value tion schedules of our two different publi- are the executive staff of the Society, of membership in the International Oak cations, flexibility in choice is needed. and their duty is to make it possible for Society. the Society to function smoothly. Peri- m m m odic meetings are held, and issues raised 3. Eight motions were discussed and either by the membership or members voted on. Five motions were approved, of the Board, are discussed and in some to wit: New Book on Oak Paintings cases voted on. Measures brought to a) Income from Life Memberships will A book has just appeared which may be kept in a separate account, the funds vote become Society policy when a ma- appeal to many readers of this newsletter. jority of the Board supports them. to be drawn down over a period of years Entitled simply Oak, it is subtitled One rather than all at once. Tree, Three Years, Fifty Paintings. The The most recent meeting of the Board b) Oak News and Notes will have an author/artist is Stephen Taylor. Grieving took place in November. What follows American and an International Editor, at the loss of his parents and a close friend is a summary of the meeting and a sum- to ensure broad diversity in content. in 2006, he decided to seek comfort in mary of the votes taken. c) News from sister societies, e.g., den- painting over and over again a 250-year- drological organizations or societies old oak tree which he had seen on walks 1. Treasurer’s Report, presented by devoted to particular families or genera, in the English countryside in Essex. In William Hess, Society Treasurer. The (as is our own), may be posted on the his collection of paintings made over a IOS has three sources of income: website of the IOS if a majority of the three-year period he illustrates what close membership dues, surplus from con- Board approves the request. students of nature have always known: in ferences, and donations. The major d) The Taxonomy Committee of the different seasons, at different times of day, expenses are publication and mailing IOS will be responsible for selecting a in different lights and different weather of our journal, International Oaks, Registrar of oak names whenever a va- cycles, the same object becomes many, though of course the difference is in the of our newsletter, Oak News and cancy in this position occurs, subject to eye and the mind, not in the object itself. Notes, and planning for the trien- approval by the IOS Board. A beautiful coffee table book as well nial conferences. There are also e) Funds which remain after the com- as a commentary on nature and oaks in expenses connected with the day to pletion of IOS tours may be used, at the particular, the book is also an illustration day activities of the Society (website, discretion of the Director of the Tour of visual mechanics and artistic technique, Committee, for providing complemen- oak data base, etc.). He suggested as well as a chronicle of family and social that one area where considerable tary memberships in the IOS to worthy memory, with side glances at contempo- savings could be realized is through persons who are residents of the country rary British classical music and English increasing the number of newsletters or place which the tour visited, and to literature. Available from Princeton delivered by e-mail (no printing and reimburse non-members who provided Architectural Press, New York, or on-line mailing costs). Another would be services to the tour. Any other surplus at Amazon.com. to charge for newsletters which are funds will be sent to the Treasurer of mailed. There were no votes taken the IOS, who will deposit them in the in connection with the Treasurer’s general fund. report. Also submitted to the meeting was an 2. The Membership Director, Rudolph interim report from the IOS President, Light, reported that membership is Béatrice Chassé. Some of the Presi- steady at around 450 members, with

11 And now for some oak distrac- to emergingOak adult News wasp. & Also Notes shown is Arborist who lives in Santa Cruz, Cali- tions and edifications... the secondary parasitizing of a gall wasp fornia. Go to http://www.oaktopia.net larva inside a gall by a different species for information on his experiments with If you want to know all there is to know of gall wasp. It’s a jungle out there! growing many oak species in urban and about pedunculate species of oaks in other environments in California, as well Europe, go to http://www.monumental- If you are ever in doubt about the latest as for a wealth of information on other trees.com/fr/photos-chenepedoncule/ and most ‘correct’ scientific name for topics having to do with oaks. If you fol- europe/1. This will take you immediate- a plant, go to http://www.theplantlist. low all of his links, you won’t get much ly to the part of Monumental Trees treat- org. This is a working list of all known else done that day! ing the species Quercus robur L. in Eu- (and named) plant species. The Plant rope. The language of the site is French, List provides the accepted Latin name for Many of the readers here know of the so non-speakers of French should just most species, with links to all synonyms dangers of transporting firewood—with click on the headings to see where they by which that species has been known. resident insect pests—from one local- lead. Monumental Trees actually treats Maintained jointly by the Royal Botanic ity to another, introducing exotic pests many species of trees from all over the Gardens, Kew and the Missouri Botani- in this way into new habitats. One such world, so you can spend many happy cal Garden, it includes 1,040,426 scien- case is documented in an article last Sep- hours looking at superb photographs of tific plant names of species rank, from tember in the Los Angeles Times, which spectacular trees next door to you and on 620 plant families and 16,167 genera. reports on the introduction of the gold the other side of the globe. A good way No need to dither any more… spotted oak borer into San Diego County, to spend a snowy day (in the Northern California, from its native habitat in Ari- Hemisphere) and good preparation for http://www.fagaceae.org. This is the zona, in loads of firewood. Google “bee- the 7th Triennial Conference of the Inter- site of the Fagaceae Project. It dissemi- tle devours Sand Diego oaks—rest of national Oak Society. nates data and analyses of all kinds on state may be next”. A similar article on the genomics of the Fagaceae. Mostly the same topic can be found by googling http://www.youtube.comwatch?v=ZK technical, yet there is an abundance of “firewood movement leading cause of 4LjURtaDw. This video is a time-lapse information accessible to both expert and oak infestation”. This article includes presentation of the germination of an layman. photographs of infested logs. Read these acorn and its early development into an articles, and similar articles discoverable oak seedling. The filming was actually One of our members, David Muffly, by googling, and weep. A classic case of done in the studio, although it appears maintains a website called Oaktopia: “A unintended consequences… to be in an outside setting. The acorn Circus of Quercus, California Style”. was “planted” in September and filmed Dave is an ISA Board-Certified Master m m m in an underground set, filmed with a two hour interval between exposures. This shows what goes on, spring after spring, out of our sight. Watching this made me appreciate even more the miracle of birth. There are other time-lapse videos IOS Points of Contact Membership Renewals or Applications: Submittals for the Journal: accessible from this site, including one William J. Hess, Treasurer Guy Sternberg, Editor of an oak tree through the seasons. International Oak Society Starhill Forest Arboretum 299 Pond Road 12000 Boy Scout Trail Everyone knows and loves the BBC Monterey, TN 38574 USA Petersburg, IL 62675 USA programs narrated by David Attenbor- Tel: 931-839-6518 Tel: 217-632-3685 ough. For a YouTube video on how a E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]

wasp parasitizes an oak flower, google Submittals for the Newsletter: IOS Secretary: “oak tree and wasp eggs—life in the Allan Taylor, Editor James Hitz undergrowth. BBC Attenborough.” 787 17th Street 112 N. Barker Court You can also use this URL to reach the Boulder, CO 80302 USA Valparaiso, IN 46385 USA same site: http://www.youtube.com/ Tel: 303-442-5662 Tel: 219-531-2827 watch?v=CzXccyoJThI . (When I used E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] this URL I got first a film on adopting a Oak News and Notes dog. Just exit from that, and the Atten- The Newsletter of the International Oak Society borough film is right behind it.) The gall 787 17th Sreet wasp film depicts the process of parasit- Boulder, CO 80302 USA izing of an oak flower by a gall wasp, (of which there are more than 70 species), President: Béatrice Chassé Vice-President: Charles Snyers d’Attenhoven Treasurer: William Hess Newsletter Editor: Allan Taylor Journal Editor: Guy Sternberg and the life-cycle of the wasp, from egg

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