Conifer Quarterly

Vol. 20 No. 1 Winter 2003 Pinus sylvestris ‘Buchanan’s Gold’ in March. This glows yellow during the winter but turns green in the Summer due to a higher rate of metabolism and chlorophyll production. (See article on page 10.) Brita Johansson

Abies procera ‘Blaue Hexe.’ Blue coloration in is caused by a waxy coating on their foliage. (See article on page 10.) Brita Johansson The Quarterly is the publication of the American Conifer Society Contents Feature Articles 5 Are Your Conifers Well Connected? By Bob Steele 10 What Makes Conifers Yellow and Blue? By Brita Johansson 12 Do You Want Ice with That? By Dennis Groh 20 Conifers at Denver Botanic Gardens By Panayoti Kelaidis 26 An Introduction to the Conifer Database By Bill Barger

Denver Preview by Don Howse 34 Part 1: Crossing the Great Divide 36 Part 2: The Ancient Bristlecones of Windy Ridge 42 Part 3: The Limber Pine Grove

ACS Departments ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH 2 President’s Message National Meeting, Denver, CO July 17–19, 2003 4 Editor’s Memo 25 Exchange See the registration details mailed with this issue! 46 Grant Announcements ROCKY MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE Also with this issue... Coach Post-Tour for Members • Seed Exchange Order Form July 20–23, 2003 • News from the Regions Read about some of our tour • National Meeting destinations on pages 34-45. travel information

Cover photo: Pinus sylvestris ‘Hexguld,’ like other yellow conifers, contains a higher ratio of carotenoids to chlorophyll than its relatives displaying normal green coloration. (See related article on page 10.)

Vol. 20 No. 1 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY 1 Conifer PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE By the time you read this message it will be 2003 and our Society will be Quarterly starting its 20th year! We all owe thanks Winter 2003 to the founders for their vision and per- Volume 20, No. 1 sistence. We also need to applaud all The Conifer Quarterly (ISSN 8755-0490) those who carried the load and sacri- is published quarterly by the American Conifer ficed to help shape what is today’s great Society. The Society is a non-profit or- organization. ganization incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is tax ex- This is the first Conifer Quarterly empt under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Rev- published by our new Editor, Anne enue Service Code. Brennan. Thank you Anne for all the You are invited to join our Society. Please address membership and other inquires to the hard work of meeting the Editorial ACS National Office, P.O. Box 3422, Crofton, challenge and switching to a new print- MD 21114-0422. Membership: US$25 (indi- er at the same time. Anne will need our vidual), $35 (joint), $30 (institutional) $50 (sustaining), $100 (patron and corporate/busi- help to keep a steady flow of high qual- ness). If you are moving, please notify the ACS ity articles coming. Anne is interested Office 4 weeks in advance. to hear about both your ideas for possi- Editorial and advertising matters should be sent to the Conifer Quarterly Editor, 1820 ble articles as well as articles you are Bridgetown Pike, Feasterville, PA 19053. willing to prepare. I would like to thank Jane Frampton Editor for all her help in ensuring a smooth Anne Brennan transition of the Editor’s responsibilities Technical Editors to Anne. Jane also prepared a timeline Ethan Johnson of key dates for the Quarterly for an en- Susan Martin tire calendar year cycle. This timeline R. William Thomas will serve as a helpful reminder to both Conifer Quarterly Advisory Committee Anne and the Officers to ensure that im- Dennis Groh, Committee Chair portant information is included. Jane Charlene Harris also was kind enough to help convert Tom Schlereth ex officio: Marvin Snyder some of the archived versions of old ex officio: John Martin publications into more usable formats. Thanks also to John Frampton for your support during Jane’s contributions. Copyright © 2003, American Conifer Soci- If you haven’t looked at the Conifer ety. All rights reserved. No material contained herein may be reproduced in any form with- Society Website lately, please do! Bill out prior written permission of the publisher. Barger and Charlene Harris have been Opinions expressed by authors and advertis- hard at work again and have come up ers are not necessarily those of the Society. with an eye-popping home page and Note: Hardiness Zone references in the Conifer Quarterly are USDA classifications great information on the 2003 National unless otherwise specified. Meeting and Tours. Much thanks for a great job!

2AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY Vol. 20 No. 1 Anne Brennan has completed the energy from the organizers and atten- final version of the index project for the dees. My hat is off to the Regional lead- first 18 Volumes of the (American) ership. However, the auction Conifer Society Bulletin (Summer 1983 process was not uniform and needs bet- to Fall 2001). The Index has three sec- ter documentation. Ellen Kelley has tions: A Subject Index (~50 pages), an agreed to lead this effort. Thanks Ellen! author index (~15 pages) and a plant The new President’s Award for Vol- names index (~100 pages). Once the unteerism was not available in time for publishing costs are finalized, order in- the Central Region Meeting, but award formation will be provided. presentations were made at all the other In the last Conifer Quarterly (Vol. Regions. The winners for 2002 were 19 No. 4, Page 191), Charles Fooks Orlan Gaeddert (Northeast), Jordan Jack asked for donations to the Seed Ex- (Southeast) and Don Howse (Western). change. The seed order form is included These individuals have all given gener- with this issue. Thanks Charles for all ously of their time and talent for the your time and leadership as Chair of the benefit of the Conifer Society over an Seed Exchange. extended period of time. Please take the I attended all the Regional Meetings time to let these individuals know YOU last year. They were all well attended, also appreciate their contributions when fun-filled and successful, with positive you see them!

Dennis Groh, President

Publication Dates Deadline to Publication Date Issue Calendar Quarter submit articles Approx. mailing

Winter Jan/Feb/Mar Oct 31 Jan 15 Spring Apr/May/Jun Jan 31 Apr 15 Summer Jul/Aug/Sept Apr 30 July 15 Fall Oct/Nov/Dec 31 July 31 Oct 15

Submit articles/photos to: Anne Brennan, Conifer Quarterly Editor 1820 Bridgetown Pike, Feasterville, PA 19053 • PH (215) 364-0566 FAX (215) 827-5926 • E-mail: [email protected]

Vol. 20 No. 1 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY 3 EDITOR’S MEMO

During these short winter days, I hope which our originally developed. that all of you are enjoying your conifer Bob Steele’s article, “Are Your Conifers gardens in what is arguably their most Well Connected?” not only explains the glorious season. My tiny plants were importance of these fungi but also de- nearly buried by an early December scribes practical ways to add them to snowstorm here in the northeast, but your own created forest. they appeared content with only a top- Next, Brita Johansson discusses some most inch or two protruding above the causes of yellow and blue needle color in snow to designate their locations. conifers, such as those pictured on the The Pinus sylvestris ‘Hexguld’ on front and inside front covers. Then, Den- this issue’s cover inspires me to add at nis Groh surveys the damage caused by least one yellow conifer to my garden the ice storm that hit the midwest a year this year. Which yellow cultivar is your ago this month. Why do some suffer favorite, and why? These glowing plants more damage than others? Dennis shares will be the focus of an article later this his observations and theories. year, so send me your ideas and photos. The second half of this issue is dedi- I must thank my predecessor, former cated to the natural and cultivated conif- Editor Jane Frampton, for the expertise erous wonders we’ll find in and around and documentation she’s shared with me Denver, Colorado, site of the 2003 Na- during our editorial transition. About half tional Meeting in July. Haven’t decided of the articles in this issue were initially whether to join us yet? Read the articles conceived and written during her tenure. by Panayoti Kelaidis and Don Howse and you’ll be making reservations for sure! In this issue Though some of us try to create a Upcoming featured conifers woodland feeling in our gardens, our As I mentioned in my introduction plants are not easily fooled. One element article last Fall (Vol. 19, No. 4, page we may be missing is the mycorrhizal 188), I plan to highlight a particular fungi that exist in the natural habitats in conifer genus in each issue and encour- age members to contribute propagation tips, species/cultivar recommendations In a Rare Mood … and photos to present a multi-faceted try our • Japanese Maples view of the genus. The (Abies) will • Dwarf Conifers be featured in the Spring 2003 issue, • Bonsai followed by hemlock (Tsuga) in the • Bonsai Supplies Summer. Take a walk through your own 1451 Pleasant Hill Road garden or a nearby public collection, Harrisburg, PA 17112 then share your discoveries and tech- (717) 545-4555 niques with other readers.

www.natureswaybonsai.com

4AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY Vol. 20 No. 1 Are Your Conifers Well Connected? Bob Steele

Gardeners often pay more attention to the chemicals help release plant nutrients above-ground portion of plants than the from the soil, especially nitrogen and below-ground portion even though they phosphorus. Others help protect the may be well aware of the importance of against harmful root-rotting fungi such roots and soil. In the soil and litter is a as Phytophthora. Still other chemicals complex web of life that, in addition to may act as antibiotics against harmful plant roots, includes invertebrate animals soil bacteria. Scientists still have much that shred organic matter and release to learn about the benefits of these com- plant nutrients, bacteria that fix nitrogen, plex chemicals but one thing is clear. decompose organic matter, improve soil Mycorrhizal fungi greatly improve a structure, produce plant hormones and suppress plant pathogens, and fungi that decompose organic matter. The fungal strands, But perhaps the most important or- called hyphae, act as ganisms are the specialized fungi that attach to plant roots and form symbiotic an extension of the relationships. These fungus-root attach- tree’s root system. ments are called mycorrhizae and the Scientists have estimated term literally means “fungus-roots.” In that the hyphae can their native habitats, where competition occupy a hundred to a is often severe, over 90 percent of all thousand times more soil plants depend on mycorrhizal fungi for survival. In the garden or nursery, it also volume than the roots. helps to have your conifers well con- nected to these friendly fungi. Mycorrhizal fungi help conifers in tree’s natural color and its ability to various ways. The fungal strands, called endure harsh soil conditions such as hyphae, act as an extension of the tree’s compaction, salinity, drought, and unfa- root system. Scientists have estimated vorable pH. Some of these fungi can that the hyphae can occupy a hundred to also improve a tree’s ability to resist a thousand times more soil volume than pests and diseases. the roots. They can extend through soil To ensure that your conifers are well much more quickly than the roots and connected, you must know some basics can provide the tree with increased of mycorrhizal fungi. Scientists have moisture and nutrients. Fungi have classified these fungi into several groups many complex chemicals, which is why according to their method of root attach- some edible mushrooms are so tasty and ment. The most common groups are ec- some toxic ones can cause death, hallu- tomycorrhizal and endomycorrhizal. cinations or liver damage. Some of these Ectomycorrhizal fungi are the easiest to

Vol. 20 No. 1 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY 5 work with because they produce many fungi connect with members of the pine of the common mushrooms, puffballs, family () and endomycorrhizal and truffle-like fungi. The spores of fungi connect with all other conifers. An mushrooms and puffballs are dissemi- occasional host, for example juniper nated by wind and can travel relatively (Juniperus), may connect with both long distances. The truffle-types, which types of fungi but most plants are limit- often remain below ground and emit dis- ed to one type. Ectomycorrhizal fungi tinct odors, are eaten by animals, which are known to connect with (Abies), spread the spores in their fecal drop- cedar (Cedrus), larch (Larix), spruce pings. Endomycorrhizal fungi, which (Picea), pine (Pinus), Douglas-fir are often called vesicular-arbuscular (), and hemlock (Tsuga). It seems likely that the remaining genera in this family, Cathaya, Keeteleria, and Pseudolarix, also connect with ectomycorrhizal fungi.

Finding Fungi Local soil conditions and climate affect the specific fungus-host connections and so where you live determines, in part, which fungi to expect in your area. If you live in or near a natural for- est, chances are your conifers in the pine family already have the Figure 1. Pisolithus tinctorius with a wind-disseminated ectomycorrhizal longitudinal slice through the spore fungi. But if you live where forest mush- mass showing the diagnostic rooms do not occur, you may have to chambers. import your own fungi. When buying conifers, try to find plants that are al- (VA) mycorrhizal fungi, do not produce ready inoculated. Some progressive mushrooms or puffballs. They produce nurseries are inoculating their stock but small globules of spores or small fruit- not all plants may have the fungi. Plants ing bodies that remain below ground. grown in containers usually show ecto- Insects and small animals eat the spores mycorrhizal fungi as a mold-like growth and disseminate them relatively short on the surface of the root plug. distances. If there are no indications of mycor- There are many species of mycor- rhizal fungi on your conifers, you can rhizal fungi and each species has its own buy packets of spores and do your own host plants. However at the group level, inoculation. If your local garden center the relationship with conifers at the fam- or nursery supply doesn’t sell packets of ily level is simple. Ectomycorrhizal spores, you can find companies on the

6AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY Vol. 20 No. 1 Internet that sell the spores. Just search cially available species and is easy to on the keyword “mycorrhizae.” Some process. companies offer separate packets for ec- Most mycorrhizal mushrooms are tomycorrhizae and endomycorrhizae. In difficult to identify but there is one other cases, the packets will contain group that is foolproof. They are Boletus both types. Usually the packets contain spp. and Suillus spp. In contrast to most several species of fungi in the hope that other mushrooms, these fungi have at least one will work for your soil, cli- pores instead of gills or teeth on the un- mate, and host plants. The packets often derside of the cap (see Figure 2). Both include other amenities such as hy- genera are ectomycorrhizal. The Boletus drophilic gels and biostimulants (vita- spp. are generally restricted to forest mins and humates). Mix the packet soils, but in some localities Suillus spp. contents with water. Dip bare-root can be found at tree farms and nurseries, seedlings into the mixture before plant- especially under the pines. ing or potting them. Use a watering can When ripe, spore-producing parts of to sprinkle the mixture onto container- puffballs and mushrooms can be cut into ized or planted trees. Large operations pieces and put in a kitchen blender with can inject the mixture into overhead irri- some water. Run the blender on low gation systems. speed until you have a uniform slurry. An alternative to buying spores is Strain the mix and use it as a concentrate collecting them in the forest or at a tree to be diluted and used like the commer- farm. This is only practical with ecto- cial mixes. If you have only a few trees to mycorrhizal fungi, and you must be inoculate, just place the cut pieces on able to identify the mushrooms or puff- bare soil at the edge of the tree’s canopy balls to be certain that you get the right and beyond. This is where most of the ones. Among the easiest to identi- fy is Pisolithus tinctorius, a brown stalked puffball (see Figure 1). Usually this fungus is scarce in the forest, but in some localities it is common at tree farms and nurs- eries. In spring and fall, it occurs under many members of the pine family (Pinaceae) and in a variety of soil types. A longitudinal slice through the puffball will reveal what look like round to oval chambers, called peridioles, in the spore mass. The spores are sticky when wet, staining, and cinnamon in color. It is a rather unattractive puff- Figure 2. A Suillus sp. with the ball and can vary in size and shape. This characteristic pores, instead of gills, is one of the most common commer- on the underside of the cap.

Vol. 20 No. 1 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY 7 tree’s root tips are located, and the fungi cide, 2,4-D, is one of these. It moves can only attach to the tender root tips. through the soil where it comes in con- The cut pieces will release spores as they tact with the fungus. Other potentially dry. Most fungal activity takes place in harmful herbicides include allyl alcohol, the upper eight inches of soil (or deeper if amitrol, ammonium sulfamate, atrazine, you are blessed with really good soil) so dalapon, paraquat, tetrafluor-proprionic deep soil injection or burying the cut acid, and trifluralin. pieces is not necessary. However, it may Even a few insecticides and nemati- help to inoculate trees during rainy peri- cides can suppress certain mycorrhizal ods. The rain will help move the tiny fungi if used at higher than recommend- spores into the soil. There they will ger- ed concentrations. These include aldrin, minate as they come in contact with ac- tive root tips of the appropriate host plant. Fungicides used as Use Caution with Chemicals a soil drench Obviously, fungicides may harm your mycorrhizal fungi. Some fungicides or systemic may suppress ectomycorrhizal fungi but not reduce mycorrhizal endomycorrhizal fungi and other fungi- development for cides do the opposite. There are con- a short time flicting reports as to which fungicides following application. are safe for both groups. This may be due to differences in the concentrations used in the various studies. Fungicides BHC, chlordane, diazinon, malathion, used as a soil drench or systemic may nemaphene, oxamyl, and toxaphene. reduce mycorrhizal development for a High levels of fertilization can also sup- short time following application. press some mycorrhizal fungi, especial- Most herbicides will not seriously ly Pisolithus tinctorius, while others are affect mycorrhizal fungi when used at not affected. The primary role of mycor- the recommended rate. However, a few rhizal fungi is to acquire plant nutrients are reported to decrease mycorrhizal de- and transport them to the tree. So for velopment. The common lawn herbi- trees not in containers, it makes sense to

Rare & Garden Conifers Ginkgos, Beeches, Perennials Rich’s Hostas, Daylilies, Irises, Alpine Plants Foxwillow Rich and Susan Eyre Pines 11618 McConnell Rd Woodstock IL 60098 815-338-7442 (phone) Nursery 815-338-7446 (fax) [email protected] Inc. www.richsfoxwillowpines.com

8AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY Vol. 20 No. 1 reduce or even eliminate supplemental Krussman, G. 1985. Manual of Cultivat- fertilizer when adding these fungi to ed Conifers. Timber Press: Portland, your trees. Oregon. The results of inoculation may be- Miller, O. K., Jr. 1979. Mushrooms of come apparent within a month or two, in . E. P. Dutton: New the case of small seedlings, or may take York. a year or longer, in the case of larger St. John, T. 1993. The importance of trees in a yard or field. The first sign of mycorrhizal fungi and other beneficial inoculation may be improved color of microorganisms in biodiversity proj- the plant or, in the case of large trees, the ects. In: Landis, T. D. tech. coord. presence of mushrooms or puffballs. 1993. Proceedings, Western Forest Containerized plants can be checked for Nursery Association, 1992 September mold-like growth on the root plug. 14-18, Fallen Lake, CA. Gen. When the trees in your yard appear more Tech. Rep. RM-221. Fort Collins, CO: vibrant and healthy and when mycor- U.S. Department of Agriculture, For- rhizal mushrooms or puffballs appear est Service, Rocky Mountain Forest beneath your trees, then you can proud- and Range Experiment Station. 151 p. ly inform friends and neighbors that Trappe, J. M. 1962. “Fungus associates your conifers are well connected. of ectotrophic mycorrhizae.” Botani- cal Review 28: 538-606.

References Castellano, M. A.; Molina, R. 1989. About the author: Bob Steele is a re- Mycorrhizae. In: Landis, T. D.; Tinus, search forester retired from the USDA R.W.; McDonald, S. E.; Barnett, J. P. Forest Service where he specialized in The Container Tree Nursery Manual, conifer ecology. He now pursues his Volume 5. Agric. Handbk. 674. Wash- passion for growing well connected ington, DC: U.S. Department of Agri- conifers full time at his tree farm near culture, Forest Service: 101-167. Eagle, Idaho. Davies, F.T., Jr. 2002. “Opportunities down under.” American Nurseryman 195: 32-40.

Vol. 20 No. 1 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY 9 What Makes Conifers Yellow and Blue? Brita Johansson

It is well known that yellow conifers are the precursors is reduced to a level that is less hardy than green ones, and that blue easier for the chlorophyll production to plants make it through the winter better handle. The plant can convert a higher than yellow or green ones of the same percent into chlorophyll and it gets species. To explain these facts, we have greener. All growers have certainly no- to understand why plants are yellow and ticed this. Cuttings and scions from yel- blue. low plants are best taken from the Yellow plants have a mutation that greenest shoot in the shade. More causes a disturbance of the production chlorophyll means a better starting point. of chlorophyll. Yellow pigments, called Conifers that are yellow only in the carotenoids, are present in green winter but green in the summer probably favor synthesis of yellow pigments. They are able to produce enough chloro- Cuttings and scions from phyll to remain green only when the me- yellow plants are best tabolism is high, that is during the taken from the greenest summer. shoot in the shade. Lack of chlorophyll makes a plant More chlorophyll means a more sensitive to ultraviolet light and better starting point. less vigorous. After all, it is chlorophyll that transforms, by means of sunlight, water and carbon dioxide into sugars but are usually masked by the green pig- that the plant uses for growth and ener- ment, chlorophyll. Both green and yel- gy. Yellow plants have access to less low pigments are manufactured within a nourishment. High sugar content in the plant from a number of chemicals called cells is important for frost resistance and precursors. Synthesis of these precur- it is highly probable that low sugar level sors is stimulated by light. They are not is the main reason why yellow plants are earmarked exclusively for pigment pro- less hardy. duction but can be seen as a base mate- The hardening process in fall is an rial from which the plant is able to extremely trying period for a plant and manufacture many complex substances requires a lot of energy. Hardiness in corresponding to its actual needs. green plants is encouraged by a warm, If synthesis of chlorophyll proceeds slightly dry fall. This condition should more slowly than normal due to the mu- persist for 4-5 weeks. After that period, tation, a bigger part of the base material falling temperature makes the plant will be transformed into yellow pigment gradually obtain full hardiness, i.e. the and the plant gets yellow or at least yel- hardiness normal for the species. A lowish-green. In the shade, where the warm fall usually means a sunny fall, plant receives less sunlight, synthesis of which furthers the yellow color. Lack of

10 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY Vol. 20 No. 1 the extra energy required for hardening Blue conifers have a layer of wax may prevent a yellow plant from attain- covering their leaves. This is easy to ing hardiness. show by spraying a twig with soapy Sensitivity to UV light has nothing water. The detergent dissolves the wax to do with hardiness. The leaves get and the leaves turn green. The benefit for burned mostly in summer, although the the plant is that the wax layer protects it effect is seldom visible until the winter from losing water, which is most impor- tant when the ground is frozen and where strong winds are common. It also creates Blue conifers have protection against UV light. The leaves a layer of wax appear blue because they do not absorb covering their leaves. the harmful, high energy blue light. This is easy to show by Species with a large distribution from spraying a twig north to south are sometimes blue in the north and at higher elevations, but green with soapy water. in the south and at lower elevations. My thoughts about when plants get or the following spring. Considering the burned may be controversial and I would few hours of sunlight and the sun angle appreciate other grower’s opinions. in early spring (at least in the North) I am in debt to the English re- compared with the many hours of hot searcher Dr. Ian Small, from whom I sun the plants has to sustain in the sum- have learned about yellow foliage, and mer, I am convinced that damage in to the Swedish forest researcher In- early spring is caused by frost and gegerd Dormling, for her scientific re- drought, not UV light. ports on many aspects on conifers, Hardiness from fall to spring is de- including the hardening process. scribed by a curve with the peak at mid- winter. So even if temperatures of -25°C (-13°F) do no harm to the plant in Janu- About the author: Brita Johansson, a ary, the same plant may be damaged by - retired designer with a lifelong interest 10°C (14°F) in March. Warmth when the in , lives and gardens in Sweden. ground is still frozen makes the plant lose Conifers and heathers are two of her water that it cannot replace. Any stress is favorite subjects, and she has written for more serious for yellow plants because of Swedish gardening magazines. their usually weaker constitution.

Vol. 20 No. 1 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY 11 Do You Want Ice With That? Dennis Groh

My normal response to that general photographs will help to illustrate the question would be “Yes, thank you!” severity of the ice loading and its effect However, on January 31, 2002, I’d have on plants. Photos of the plants taken be- declined since the snowstorm that day fore and after this event are included gave way to an ice storm with serious here. Unfortunately, I was not able to consequences for plant lovers. photograph the moment of maximum An unusual weather pattern occurred bending and deflection since it was far in the Midwest , affecting too hazardous to be outside. a long, narrow geographic area a few miles wide and about 600 miles long. It Damage reports started in Kansas and stretched east It is my impression, after comparing notes with other affected individuals, that the storm damage was less severe in my The rain changed to town of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, ice upon contact than in other areas. If so, my local obser- vations here may suggest which trees are for almost eight hours as more susceptible to damage. the weather front stalled Deciduous trees that suffered signifi- cant branch damage were: birch (Betula papyrifera), silver maple (Acer sacchar- through Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana inum), cottonwood (Populus deltoides), to Michigan. As a weather front moved Washington hawthorn (Crataegus phaeno- through, this area experienced a sudden pyrum), and black locust (Robinia change from snow to rain. Even though pseudoacacia). However, the worst dam- the general air temperature was warm age occurred on sycamore (Platanus oc- enough to produce rain, near the ground cidentalis). Large numbers of sycamore it remained below freezing, so the rain trees, 40 feet and taller, experienced changed to ice upon contact. This breakage of their main trunks at five to weather condition continued for almost six feet above ground. A short distance eight hours as the weather front stalled from my home, the four trunks of a 50- along the 600-mile strip. foot-tall birch were pulled down to the The rainfall and subsequent ice ground by ice as one would peel a ba- build-up was significant and resulted in nana. damage to many plants and interruption The damage at Hidden Lake Gar- to electrical distribution as trees and dens (HLG) in Tipton, Michigan, was limbs broke under the weight of the ice. quite extensive. It was depressing to see The purpose of this article is to share the large number of mature trees of sig- some observations and some lessons nificant size that were felled or severely learned. I believe the accompanying damaged by the storm.

12 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY Vol. 20 No. 1 Dennis Groh Picturesque snowfall gave way to freezing rain and ice in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, and surrounding areas on January 31, 2001.

At left, many lower branches had to be removed from the author’s arborvitae hedge, also shown above. After ice build-up bent them to the ground, the branches never recovered their original form. Dennis Groh

Vol. 20 No. 1 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY 13 It took several days just to move the now than they did during this ice storm. fallen trees off the entrance and access 2) Conifers whose ancestors evolved road at the Garden. Michigan State Uni- at high altitudes are adapted to surviving versity provided emergency clean-up snow and ice loads. Their excurrent funding because of the magnitude of the growth habit features a strong central damage. Most of the clean-up work was trunk with numerous relatively thin done by HLG staff and volunteers using branches off of that trunk, and their chain saws and a chipper. More than a is typically more flexible than the dozen volunteers turned out to help on wood of deciduous trees, allowing most both weekdays and Saturdays for sever- conifers to bend without breaking. al weeks. In addition, three seasonal em- ployees began work in February, rather than the usual April, to assist. One ar- The quantity of ice borist with a high-ranger truck was hired on the trees served to to do the tree work HLG staff and vol- expose any existing unteers could not do. He spent about structural weaknesses three weeks pruning damaged branches or defects across the roadways and also cleared the high limbs in other areas that HLG staff could not access. In the area around Kansas City, The ice storm was so severe it spared Missouri, this ice storm proved that any no genus or species of tree. The mature and all tree varieties were susceptible to plantings of sassafras (Sassafras al- ice damage. The freezing drizzle contin- bidum) that surround the perimeter of ued for a very long time and ice accu- the Harper Collection suffered major mulated to one inch or more on tree damage. The loss of these trees will be limbs. With these severe conditions, all mourned for years to come when their trees failed equally, oaks as well as cot- spectacular show of fall foliage color is tonwoods and hard maples as well as missing. soft maples. Following are two hypotheses as to The quantity of ice on the trees why the damage was more severe to served to expose any existing structural nearby trees than to plants in the Harper weaknesses or defects, such as trees that Collection itself: had received improper pruning. Heavy 1) Trees outside the collection suf- growth at branch ends was an obvious fered the most damage because they of- target for severe damage. fered more surface area for the ice load Often the flexibility of the softer to accumulate. Those trees tended to be wood tree species allowed them to bend older and taller with more expansive under the weight of the ice without branching. Also, their longer branches breaking, while neighboring hardwoods increased the leverage of the ice load. broke under the same conditions. Siber- Ice loads of the same magnitude would ian elms (Ulmus pumila), being very probably do much more damage in the brittle and weak, suffered severe dam- Harper Collection five or ten years from age. The Siberian elm is often improper-

14 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY Vol. 20 No. 1 ly called a Chinese elm but should not of the ice as if a giant had sat on it. These be confused with the more desirable, plants returned to a more upright posture true Chinese elm (Ulmus parviflora). after several months. The current appear- River birch (Betula nigra) suffered con- ance is marginally acceptable. siderable damage, but their vigor will Both T. occidentalis ‘Smaragd’ and soon bring them back to a reasonably ‘Degroot’s Spire’ had developed multi- good condition. ple leaders, so the ice exploited this op- portunity and splayed the plants open. In Conifers’ susceptibility varies fact,‘Degroot’s Spire’ looked like a The following comments apply to all the court jester’s hat, and the multiple stems various that were large enough were bent so severely they never recov- to be exposed to the storm’s effect. ered to a vertical position. Since no cen- Many others were hidden safely below tral upright leader ever developed, it was the snow. eventually removed because of its un- In Dearborn Heights, spruce (Picea sightly appearance. Several ‘Smaragd’ pungens, P. glauca, P. omorika, and P. abies), fir (Abies concolor, A. balsamea, and A. koreana), hemlock (Tsuga canadensis, T. diversifolia, T. merten- siana), yew (Taxus spp.) and deciduous conifers (Larix kaempferi, Taxodium as- cendens) were not harmed by the storm. Pine trees with wide or long needles (Pinus bungeana, P. strobus) were ad- versely affected. Pinus bungeana lost more branches than the Pinus strobus. Pinus cembra, P. mugo, P. contorta and P. parviflora cultivars all looked like flocked Christmas trees after eight hours and were bent over but not permanently damaged. However, I believe these pines would have suffered had the ice build-up continued. Chamaecyparis (C. nootkatensis, C. pisifera ‘Filifera’) bent severely under the heavy ice load and drooped quite low but did not reach a breaking point. Many of the upright forms of ar- Dennis Groh borvitae (Thuja occidentalis) were either Arborvitae with multiple leaders do flattened or splayed open because of not fare well under heavy snow and multiple stems, though there was no ice loads. Pruning young plants to breakage. A hedge of T. occidentalis maintain a central leader can prevent ‘Techny’ was prostrate under the weight this type of damage later.

Vol. 20 No. 1 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY 15 required the removal of the severely pine was damaged most severely by far. bent secondary leaders, which would The greatest devastation came from the never have returned to a vertical posi- “domino” effect, as large branches high tion, in order to leave a single central in P. strobus received an early and leader. These plants will look unsightly heavy ice coating and broke. As they until they have time to fill in. fell, they stripped off major branches As mentioned earlier, the plants that comprise the Harper Collection of Rare and Dwarf Conifers at Hidden Lake Gar- The scene after the storm dens survived the onslaught of this ice resembled vandalism, storm without significant damage, con- sidering the devastation to both decidu- as if someone had ripped ous and coniferous trees in the rest of the off almost every limb. Gardens. The Pinus strobus ‘Chippi- annock’ was completely bent over with its “head” on the ground, but the trunk is down the entire trunk. Many white now more or less vertical and the tree pines became “totem poles” requiring seems to be doing fine. A large Eastern complete removal. white pine in the collection seems to I believe that people living in regions have sustained the most damage, with susceptible to severe winter storms can loss of its top and many limbs. benefit from some lessons I learned in However, such damage to a 30-year- 2001. They should minimize the use of old Eastern white pine seems mild when plants most susceptible to potential compared with the extent of the damage damage and refrain from using these to the much more mature P. strobus plants as focal points. They should also along the exit drive and arboretum en- ensure their plants are properly pruned trance. The scene after the storm resem- and maintained. bled vandalism, as if someone had The conifers which were most dam- ripped off almost every limb. The fallen aged by this storm were pines and ar- branches were all lying in a large pile borvitaes, and the pines with the highest circling the base of each tree. needle surface area experienced the Casual observation indicates, in gen- most damage. eral, that five-needle pines suffered more branch breakage than the two-needle Arborvitae selection and pruning pines. Of the two-needle pines, Pinus can minimize ice and snow damage densiflora cultivars appeared to suffer To avoid the heartbreak of arborvitae more branch breakage than other kinds. splaying open under winter storm condi- It was decided to remove one Thuja tions, select only cultivars which tend to occidentalis ‘Spiralis’ because the major have a central leader. From those culti- trunks that were bent dramatically out- vars, buy plants with only a central the ward would never recover enough to be plants trained to that single central leader. visually acceptable. If you follow this good advice from In Kansas City, the Eastern white Mr. Justin “Chub” Harper and Prof.

16 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY Vol. 20 No. 1 Edward Hasselkus, you will not have to person to distraction trying to keep them learn this lesson the hard way as I did. to a single leader, include: They believe the three best upright forms of Thuja which tend to keep a Thuja occidentalis ‘Sunkist’ – This gets central leader are: large and naturally develops multiple leaders when young. Thuja occidentalis ‘Hetz Wintergreen’ – Thuja occidentalis ‘Holmstrup’ – This This is the best upright. Since it be- one is absolutely beautiful, but again comes large with time (35 feet tall it will require discipline to keep it and 8 feet wide at 35 years) be sure to growing to a central leader. give it adequate room to grow. This Thuja occidentalis ‘Techny’ – This one is cultivar grows ramrod straight and not really upright but rather more glo- has no snow load or ice problems if bose in form, and it has strong ten- trained to a central leader during its dency toward multiple stems or trunks. formative years. Once trained, it con- Thuja occidentalis ‘Degroot’s Spire’ – tinues this strong central leader habit This one is a nice narrow upright as it matures. form but you really have to keep after Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’ – One of it to develop a central leader. Chub Chub’s favorites, ‘Smaragd’ is the Harper reports, “All plants that I have Danish word for emerald. The culti- seen, including my own, have multi- var was named for its emerald-green ple leaders.” color and is also known as ‘Emerald’ in the trade. It grows rather rapidly Prof. Hasselkus has suggested that and can get to 15 feet tall and 4 feet none of the “dwarf” or “miniature” wide in 15 years. If trained to a strong globular or low mounding forms are central leader, it stays straight and un- good for more than 10-15 years before affected by snow or ice loads. Chub our Midwest snow and ice will do them had several plants about 5 feet tall in. Chub’s experience has been the when he recognized they had two same, and after 10 to 15 years he prunes leaders. He cut out one of the leaders them at ground level and starts over. The and really hurt the plants’ form ini- low mounding selection most resistant tially, but two growing seasons later to ice and snow breakage has been ‘Re- you could not tell that the secondary curva Nana,’ but the reason for this is not leader had been cut out. clear. Thuja occidentalis ‘Wareana’ – This is a The large globular forms like great plant, as is the yellow form ‘Woodwardi,’ ‘Golden Globe’ and oth- ‘Lutescens.’ Keep watch to prevent ers will collapse eventually with heavy multiple leaders on this one, but it snow and ice loads in the Midwest after makes a great upright form if trained they grow large. to a central leader. At the extreme, there are some arborvitae like ‘Rheingold’ and ‘Sher- Some of the other upright forms that are wood Moss’ that split open even in a great in the landscape, but will drive a heavy rain, let alone an ice storm.

Vol. 20 No. 1 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY 17 The above list of cultivars is very to this article: Marvin Snyder from Over- limited, and there are others such as land Park, Kansas, who was without ‘Filiformis’ that are unique and do not power for seven days following this ice have snow or ice problems. The hybrid storm; Ivan Katzer, a Conifer Society Thuja ‘Green Giant’ has an extremely member and Certified Arborist in Kansas rapid growth rate and will provide a fast City, Missouri; Jack Wikle, a Conifer So- screen or windbreak. There are also ciety member from Tecumseh, Michigan; some desirable upright forms of Thuja and Ellyn Meyers, a Conifer Society plicata that can grow a strong central member and the Director of Hidden Lake leader if properly pruned. Gardens in Tipton, Michigan.. Information on arborvitae cultivars, Sources and Acknowledgements obtained from Mr. Justin “Chub” Harper The article is based on first hand infor- and Prof. Edward Hasselkus, was also mation from the states of Kansas and included in this article. Michigan. The photographs are all from my garden in Dearborn Heights, Michigan. About the author: Dennis Groh and The following individuals con- his wife, Carole, are hobby gardeners tributed ice storm damage information who grow over 100 different conifers in their Michigan garden. Dennis currently serves as president of the Conifer Society.

20 Years of growing Rockford’s finest selection of trees, shrubs and ground covers. Including native plants, ornamental and dwarf conifers, japanese maples, perennials, mushroom compost, oak and cedar mulch.

8938 Newburg Road Rockford, IL 61108 Phone: (815) 332-5610 Fax: (815) 332-7495 E-mail: [email protected]

18 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY Vol. 20 No. 1

Conifers at Denver Botanic Gardens Panayoti Kelaidis

What strikes many visitors at Denver dwarf conifers among the sweeps of Botanic Gardens is the enormous variety grasses, perennials and summer annual and subtlety of the dozens of gardens that plantings. comprise the principal York Street site. Conifers make a prompt and bold Even if you’re focused on gym- statement. As you enter the main gate, nosperms, you can hardly miss the end- you find a simple garden featuring a less array of herbaceous plants in the dozen or more cultivars of Colorado outdoor collections; dozens of designers blue spruce planted in a sweep of prairie and hundreds of staff and volunteers grasses. The russet and pink tones of have honed nearly 50 distinctive gar- grasses in the autumn and winter pro- dens, each with different palette of vide a dazzling foil to the sculptured, plants and a unique gardening style. glaucous blueness of the spruces. This Even outside the front gate proper, there frames the entrance to the Children’s are vast borders – some over a dozen Secret Path, where you will be greeted feet wide and stretching for nearly a not only with raucous colors of herba- quarter mile – wrapped around the pe- ceous plants but also several special ripheral fences. These diverse “Mile conifers including a fifty-year-old Pinus High Borders” are designed for year- cembra that seems to be thriving among round impact, and yes, they feature frolicking children and quizzical adults. Panayoti Kelaidis / Denver Botanic Gardens

20 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY Vol. 20 No. 1 Nearby is the largest Jeffrey pine (Pinus Marnie’s Pavilion, containing a recently jeffreyi) at the Gardens. constructed Orchid Tree – a fairy-tale Just beyond the Children’s Secret sized behemoth draped with Spanish Path gateway, a large flat plaza signals Moss and hundreds of superbly grown the entrance to the education building. A orchids, bromeliads, epiphytic cacti and vast assemblage of giant pots expresses many novelties. I know of no other trop- a distinctive theme each year: one year ical display that allows you to examine subtropicals, last year an eye-blasting so many rarities so closely, growing as array of All-America Selection winners, they would in nature. Do not let the lav- and in 2003...? It’s a surprise! ish outdoor gardens keep you from the For locals, the Gardens are synony- rich exhibits. And let’s not forget the mous with the gargantuan, landmark gift shop! Conservatory structure, one of the Returning to regular programming, largest and most artistically planted the Crossroads is an extravagant garden tropical landscapes in North America. featuring arboreal yuccas and very color- Just to the west of the conservatory, ful xerophytic Southwestern native connected by a short hallway, is plants. It also contains our largest Picea Panayoti Kelaidis / Denver Botanic Gardens Above: Over 200 conifers are displayed among thousands of varieties of alpine plants and shrubs in the Rock Alpine Garden. Left: The conifer berm contains 35 specimens chosen and planted by Jerry Morris.

Vol. 20 No. 1 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY 21 abies ‘Pendula’ and dwarf pines. Look complement and set off these unique southward: the O’Fallon Perennial Bor- treasures, all carefully labeled. der is one of the most beautiful mixed A bit further west, the Rock Alpine borders in North America, with carefully Garden occupies an acre at the south- coordinated color schemes. The Roman- west corner of the Gardens. It comprises tic Garden beyond is an over a thousand tons even more opulent mix of rock, thousands of of architecture and col- The garden contains varieties of alpines orist flower design – the some of the first and shrubs, and 200 site of many weddings. conifers – from ma- You mustn’t miss the hemlocks planted ture Colorado spruce umber and rich purple outdoors in the (Picea pungens) and Tuscan mood of the Sch- Rockies, including Pinyon pines (Pinus lessman Plaza with its the large Tsuga edulis) to a rich assort- multi-colored columns! canadensis ‘Pendula’ ment of miniature As you progress dwarf conifers. westward through the The Rock Alpine Gardens on any path, the Garden was the first number and variety of conifers increases public garden in the Rocky Mountain re- exponentially. A major concentration of gion to import large numbers of dwarf new experimental trees have been im- conifers in the early 1980’s; prior to that ported from nurseries around the country time the only dwarf conifers sold in Den- for Plantasia – our newest outdoor gar- ver besides junipers were bird’s nest den featuring the rich flora of the Sino- spruce (Picea abies ‘Nidiformis’) and Tibetan mountains and Eastern Asia. We dwarf Alberta spruce (Picea glauca are testing many Chinese conifers for the ‘Conica’). Most of the older dwarf first time in our climate, including nu- conifers represent the first and oldest merous species of Himalayan pine specimens of their kind planted in Col- (Pinus wallichiana), Japanese umbrella orado, including dwarf white pines pine (Sciadopitys verticillata) and a for- (Pinus strobus cultivars) and numerous est of young larches (Larix sp.). This cultivars of Chamaecyparis pisifera. The garden, built in 2002 by Mark Fusco, is garden contains some of the first hem- the first Asian Garden in America to fea- locks planted outdoors in the Rockies, ture not only the lush East Asian wood- including the large Tsuga canadensis lands, but the harsh windy steppe flora of ‘Pendula’ (Sargent’s weeping hemlock) Central Asia. across from the Alpine House. This hem- Near the entrance of the Rock Alpine lock dates from the first year of the gar- Garden, the dwarf conifer berm honors den. This section also features the first the work of Jerry Morris. Thirty five specimens of Modoc cypresss (Cupres- specimen conifers were selected, donat- sus bakeri), Arizona cypress (C. arizoni- ed and planted by the famous Colorado ca), Cephalotaxus and numerous other “broomer” and are underplanted with a conifer groups planted in Colorado. tapestry of mat-forming alpine plants to The Rock Alpine Garden also con-

22 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY Vol. 20 No. 1 tains the largest collection of ephedras in here, including the state champion Cu- North America – nearly 20 species from pressus arizonica, several superb Pinus South America, North America and monophylla (single-leaf pinyon), Ju- across Eurasia. Ephedras have an unde- niperus monosperma (one-seed juniper) served reputation for dullness. They are and the largest Juniperus deppeana (al- extremely variable in this garden, from ligator juniper) in Colorado. tiny groundcovers to sizeable shrubs Although only harboring a handful over five feet tall. These close allies to of species, the Japanese Garden (see the conifers are particularly suited to photo inside back cover) in the northwest Colorado’s harsh climate, which resem- corner of our York Street site contains bles the dry steppes of Asia where most hundreds of the most elegant, magnifi- of the species originate. Most ephedras cently shaped Ponderosa pines and bloom prodigally in the spring – some mugos (Pinus ponderosa and P. mugo). are quite showy – and many produce The Garden of the Pine Wind is possibly bright red or white fruit the most popular gar- in midsummer. den with members. Many of the mature Few public gardens The dramatic and rig- specimens were plant- in North America orous design employed ed over two decades throughout this garden ago; these attracted the combine dwarf is faithful to the Japan- attention of Jean Iseli conifers with ese spirit. It forms a and Don Howse at the herbaceous plants perfect counterpoint to time, beginning a rela- with the artistry you the lavish English style tionship with both men will encounter here and the wild gardens at that enriched the Gar- the various entrances dens enormously with to this garden. choice plants. Horticul- Denver Botanic turist Dare Bohlander, who oversees this Gardens boasts a half dozen other sites, garden, selected 47 of the best new including a 600-acre arboretum and nat- miniature dwarf conifers from Porter- ural area in the Southwestern Metro area howse Farms and planted them in 2002 that provides a welcome piece of open in honor of the ACS 2003 conference. space in the most rapidly expanding Few public gardens in North America urban corridor of the Front Range. A combine dwarf conifers with herba- five-acre formal garden in the heart of ceous plants with the artistry you will Denver was dedicated in 2002, and encounter here. satellite gardens are maintained at High- Save some time to wander through lands in Northwest Denver and at the the Dryland Mesa, a bold artificial butte Anshutz Cancer Center at Fitzimmons just north of the Rock Alpine Garden in the Northeastern quadrant of the Den- featuring a rich palette of Southwestern ver metroplex. Botanic Gardens staff shrubs, cacti and all manner of native even design the interior plantings at desert perennials and annuals. Many of Cherry Creek Mall, the number one the finest xeric conifers are featured tourist destination in Colorado.

Vol. 20 No. 1 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY 23 But the gem of Denver Botanic Gar- wind everywhere underfoot. dens is the Mt. Goliath Bristlecone Natur- Look up from here and you can gaze al Area. This is administered in nearly a hundred miles northward into conjunction with the United States Forest Wyoming. Turn southward and you’ll feel Service at nearly 12,000 feet‚ some 45 as though you could reach out and touch miles due west of Denver, where the high- Pikes Peak, nearly 80 miles away. Denver est alpine garden in the world was built in lies at your feet like a map, and the Great 1997. It is undergoing expansion around a Plains roll eastward like an unravelling new visitor’s center in the summer of carpet. I am moved every time I walk the 2003. Here you can examine the many Walter Pesman Trail, which I’ve done as rare specialties of Mt. Evans and then many as four times a year over the last walk beyond through the largest accessi- three decades. Everyone I bring here ble forest of Pinus aristata (bristlecone seems to find their way back again, often pine), with hundreds of unimaginably bringing a best friend. You come too – this rugged trees, many a thousand or more is as close to eternity as you will go in this years old. Sheets of alpines flutter in the life and make it back again. Panayoti Kelaidis/Denver Botanic Gardens

The Mt. Goliath Bristlecone Natural Area at 12,000 feet presents hundred-mile views as well as the largest accessible forest of bristlecone pine (Pinus aristata).

24 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY Vol. 20 No. 1 About the author: Panayoti is curator of most successful plant introduction sys- Plant Collections at Denver Botanic Gar- tems. By bringing several hundred kinds dens. He created the plantings for the of conifers to Denver Botanic Gardens in Rock Alpine Garden, helped redesign the early ‘80’s, Panayoti, working in con- many of the native gardens, the Asian, cert with Paulino Gardens and Jerry Mor- South African and Wildflower Treasures. ris helped publicize and popularize a He is the principal plant explorer for much wider palette of conifers in the Plant Select, considered one of America’s Rocky Mountain region.

Notes from the 2002-2003 Seed Exchange Charles Fooks Last year, the demand for seed exceeded the supply. We were unable to fill many orders. In the fall of 2002, it looked as if the situation would be even worse this year. Then at the last minute, seed began to arrive. We have fewer donors but more seed and a greater number of different kinds of seed. If you ordered seed last year but did not receive it, please try again this year. I would like to give special recognition and thanks to this year’s donors: Sue Martin Wayne Choquette The Folks at Iseli Nursery Joe Stupka Richard Rodich Gert Bohme of Germany Bruce Barnes Frank Goodhart Clement Anthoine of Belgium Many would-be donors were possibly hindered by the drought that affected a large portion of the country. Drought can have various effects on seed pro- duction. Drought-stressed plants can set an abundance of seed; however, if the drought is too severe, the seed may not be mature and viable. Some of the will be available in only a few packets, as you will note on the order form (mailed with this issue). These will be handled on a first- come, first-serve basis. Please, order early if you want any of these seeds. We would also like to put out a call for one or more people to serve on the committee with us. We need someone with whom to brainstorm ways to im- prove the seed exchange and to help with locating and contacting possible seed donors. I feel that if we were more aggressive in contacting donors and promot- ing the seed exchange, we would have more participation. We could take care of receiving, packaging, and shipping the various seeds. Distance would not be a problem. We could communicate by e-mail, fax, phone or mail. If anyone is interested, please contact me.

Charles T. Fooks, 31106 Johnson Road, Salisbury, MD 21804 PH: (410) 219-3218, FAX: (410) 749-7575, E-mail: [email protected]

Vol. 20 No. 1 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY 25 An Introduction to the Conifer Database Bill Barger, Conifer Society Webmaster

During the 2001 ACS National meeting of the Conifer Society and several of its in Massachusetts a group of members, key members. I had all the resources I including me, discussed the idea of hav- needed to begin so I got started. Just be- ing a database to record information fore I left for the 2002 ACS National in about conifer cultivars. Our vision was Atlanta, I linked the new Conifer Data- a database that anyone could access to base to the Conifer Society website, research growing habits, descriptions, located at www.conifersociety.org. proper nomenclature, history and possi- The system we’ve created is better bly pictures. It seemed a great idea if than any of us had hoped. We’re not only we could make it work. only able to search our system for infor- About this same time I was involved mation about conifers; we can also col- in creating a web-based business system lect information from anyone and for my employer. The technology that I anywhere. We have the ability to collect used is free and readily available to any- unlimited information including pic- one to use once you know how. I had tures for every plant. We imported the taught myself to write the code and I had list of over 950 conifers species from the a database from several years earlier to Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) to start with. Best of all, I had the support insure proper spelling and nomencla-

Searching for the “Upright Weeping” conifer form (below) yields a list of corresponding plants (top right). Clicking on the View button displays a particular plant’s record, including photos if available (right).

26 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY Vol. 20 No. 1 Vol. 20 No. 1 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY 27 ture. In all we uploaded over 4000 plant Searching the Database names including species, forms, sub- The system is fairly simple to use once species, varieties, witches brooms, culti- you have a little explanation to start vars and sports. We also created an with. Let’s look at the first screen. indexing system for the records so that On the left side of the screen we each plant has a number that can be used built in the same shortcuts that are avail- to quickly access its information. able on all Conifer Society website Most of the records in the system are pages. Along the top of the screen are incomplete and will probably take sev- the main function buttons for the eral years to finish. Many of the records Conifer Database system. are imported from books in my collec- ACS Website will take you to the tion. Chub Harper assembled a list of Conifer Society home page. witches brooms that are in various col- New Search will present you with the lections including the Harper Collection database starting page and reset all at Hidden Lakes in Michigan, the Heart- fields for a new search. land Collection in the Bicklehaupt Ar- New Conifer opens a section of the sys- boretum in Iowa, and various other tem that will allow you to upload a collections he is involved with. We also new record, we will come back to ex- have had some people from around the plain this in a moment. world uploading new records. We have Type Search opens an advanced search had records submitted from South engine that will allow you to search Africa, England, the Netherlands and the database using several parameters. several other European countries in ad- For example, you might specify that dition to North America. you want all of the records for Pinus

Using the simple search fields on the Database’s opening page, a specific genera, species or cultivar can be located using part of its name. Typing “Prostrata” into the Cultivar search field and clicking the Submit button displays the list of plants shown on the following page.

28 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY Vol. 20 No. 1 strobus that are dwarf in size, blue records. By entering this 6-digit number green in color, and will grow in Zone you can jump to the record with the cor- 3. The system will return all records responding number. Imagine if you re- that meet these conditions. As the sys- ceived an availability list from a nursery tem develops this will be a powerful and they referenced this number. You tool for you to use to place a specimen could get detailed information about the in that special spot in the garden. specimen being offered and make a Admin will open the administration sec- more informed purchase. Nurseries tion of the system. Only authorized ac- could save revenue by not having to cess is granted to this section and it is publish catalogs as often. We are a long password protected. Administrators way from there but it could happen! can revise existing records and review In the body of the main page there new records for content prior to mak- are two simple search methods. ing them available to the public for Genus: This search is a drop-down list viewing. This will help insure that the of genera currently in the database. By information in the records is the best it entering the first letter of the genus can be. you are looking for, the list will go the At the bottom of this section is a fea- records beginning with this letter. ture that will allow searches based on (This only works with the first letter.) the specific index number assigned to all Once you select your desired genus,

Vol. 20 No. 1 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY 29 click on the Submit button to the right tached to the record, a small camera icon and all of the records for that genus will also be displayed on the same line. will be retrieved. Also on this screen you can further narrow your search by Record Details selecting a species specific to that Once you have searched the system genus. On the list below the search and found the record you want, you can box, select the specimen you are look- click on the Details button at the far ing for and click the View button to right of the record in the list view. This look at the details of the record. The will open the detail view of the record. lists are grouped 20 per page, and by The detail view has specific infor- clicking the numbers above the list mation about the plant. you can jump to that group. Just above At the top of the screen, the plant the numbers you are given the record name is displayed in proper nomencla- count from you search. ture, and a camera icon appears if a Cultivar: Type the name of a cultivar you photo is attached to the record. By click- are looking for and click the Submit ing on the camera you will be taken to button to find specific cultivar names. any photos attached to the record. For example, if you type Pendula it Just below the name there is a yellow will return all of the records in the button that will allow you to leave a database with the word Pendula in comment. By default the information is them even if the name is two or more set to accept a general comment. By se- words, as in Nana Pendula. This field lecting Record Specific Comment box will also accept partial and multiple the comment will be tagged as specific name searches. An example of this to the record you are viewing. Once you would be Nan Pend, this will return have completed the form select the Sub- any records with these two groups of mit to record and close the comment letters in them. This is good for when window. you don’t know the exact spelling but know at least some of the letters. The Index #: The record number attached list of records returned by the search is this specific specimen. similar to the Genus search except that Botanical Name: The full cultivar dis- all records are kept together on one played in proper nomenclature. page. Plant Patent #: Plant Patent number if Cancel: The Cancel button clears the existing and known. screen back to the starting point for a Common Name: Example would be new search. “white pine” or “concolor fir.” Below the Cancel button there is a Status: How is the plant known? line that gives you the current record Provisional – Temporary or new name count in the database. This number is new specimen. generated each time the page is loaded. Valid – A specimen with a known lin- The results of the searches will be age. displayed in a list view and displayed in Established, registration unknown. – proper nomenclature. If a photo is at- Commonly known and identifiable

30 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY Vol. 20 No. 1 by its attributes. 6-15’ (1.8-4.5m) at 10 yrs. Synonym – Another name for a known Large: >12” (30cm) per yr, >15’ specimen. May or may not be valid. (4.5m) at 10 yrs. RHS Registered cultivar – a cultivar registered with the RHS. Color: approximate color tone. May RHS Accepted Genus - a genus accept- vary due to regional or climatic condi- ed by the RHS. tions. Light green Origin: Cultural origin of the specimen. Medium green Hybrid – a genetic cross Dark green Seedling selection – a selection made Blue green from seed grown stock. Blue Sport – a genetic variation of a parent Yellow or gold plant. Often only effecting a small Variegated yellow or gold portion of the parent. Variegated white or cream Witches broom – selection made from Seasonal variation a broom. Witches broom seeding – a selection USDA Zone: based on published zone made from seedlings from a witches maps and standards. broom. Description: The plant’s key character- Unknown – origin not known istics and attributes. Introduction: Who was the first to re- Form: the approximate ultimate growth lease it and when it occurred. habit. Publication: Publications known to Globe or globose contain descriptions of the specimen. Cushion or bun shaped Submitted by: Who added the record to Narrow pyramid or columnar the database and what source of infor- Conical mation did the individual use? Upright weeping Revision Date: Date of last revision to Narrow upright or fastigiate record. Broad upright or oval Spreading or horizontal growing Below the Revision Date there are Prostrate or ground covering two buttons. Administrators needing to Mounding, arching or weeping maintain this database record use the Edit button. It is password protected and Size: the approximate growth rate. May access is restricted. The Back button will vary due to regional or climatic condi- return you to the previous screen. tions. At the bottom of the record window, Miniature: <1” (2.5cm) per yr., <1’ any photos that are attached to the record (30cm) at 10 yrs. are displayed as thumbnails (at small Dwarf: 1-6” (8-15cm) per yr., 3-6’ size) with brief descriptions and photo (90cm-1.8m) at 10 yrs. credits. To view one of these photos, Intermediate: 6-12” (15-30cm) per yr., click on the thumbnail to open it in a new

Vol. 20 No. 1 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY 31 window. If the image can be enlarged the best answer from the available op- even further, there will be an Enlarge tions. The Record Details section of this button below the picture. To view the document will guide you in completing image at its full size click on the Enlarge the form. Including the plant’s history, button, then click the Close button when any publications in which it may be de- you are finished viewing. scribed and your source of information. Once you are done with this record, At the bottom of the record is anoth- you can click the Back button and return er form for you to record your contact in- to your search list or you can click on formation in the event that it is necessary the New Search button and return to the to reach you for additional information. start screen to begin a new search. Please take a moment to complete this section. We will not publish your infor- Adding a New Conifer mation, and once recorded it cannot be One of the biggest problems that all ref- changed. It will remain with the record erence books about conifers have in as long as it is in the system. common is that by the time they are After this first screen is submitted, printed they are out of date. Each au- you will be given an opportunity to re- thors has done an admirable job of re- view your information and upload a searching the known conifers and photo. Photos must be in JPG format including pictures and descriptions of and less than 150KB in size. It is sug- specimens. Unfortunately none of them gested that you limit the size of your im- could possibly ever cover all of the ex- ages to no larger than 800 x 600 pixels, isting cultivars in any one publication. with the optimum size being 640 x 480 Our goal is to be the primary reposi- pixels. The 640 x 480 is a reasonable tory of information about conifers, and size for viewing via most internet con- we have built into the database a method nection speeds. Images must be up- that will allow anyone to submit a new loaded one at a time and there is no limit selection to the database. Upon submis- to the number of images attached to a sion, these records are placed into a record. If you wish to add photos to an holding area and held in a private data- existing record, complete the previous base for review. Once the information is form with the name of the existing reviewed and accepted or revised, it is record. An administrator will be notified added to the public database for every- of the existence of a duplicate record one to access. and will be able to re-index the photos to Adding a new record is simple. Se- it. Please note that the time it takes to lect the New Conifer button from the upload you photo will vary with the top menu and you will open a form for speed of your connection. If you do ex- adding a new record. Please read the di- perience trouble uploading photos, con- rections at the top of the screen. After tact me and I will try to correct the the form is completed and submitted, problem. you will be able to add a photo to the This concludes our overview of the record you just added. public system. With a little practice you Drop-down menus allow you to select will be able to search the system and up-

32 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY Vol. 20 No. 1 load new information as easily as you records to complete the information. check the weather. If you are interested in helping with the database in any of these ways, Administrators please send an e-mail to me at billb@ Several times in this article I have conifergarden.com and let me know mentioned administrators. Their tasks are how you feel you can help. I appreciate to maintain the system and help insure any offers and will try to accommodate the accuracy of the information it con- you if I can. tains. Anyone can be an administrator provided they have a high level of conifer knowledge to draw from. Remember that About the author: Bill Barger joined the our goal is to provide as accurate infor- Confer Society in 1995 and has been mation as possible. collecting conifers ever since. Over 300 An administrator could also be a per- cultivars are displayed in his yard in son with a large photo library who is will- Wadsworth, Ohio. He unveiled the first ing to donate photos to the database. We phase of the Conifer Database at the are also looking for help doing general 2001 National Meeting in Atlanta. maintenance such as researching existing

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Vol. 20 No. 1 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY 33 Denver Preview: Part 1 Crossing the Great Divide Don Howse

As you may recall from high school of the great Colorado River system. At geography, the Continental Divide is the Kremmling we begin to drive along the center spine of the Rocky Mountains banks of the Colorado River towards its and lies on a north-south alignment source. The Colorado River will lead us across the state of Colorado. Waters de- toward Rocky Mountain National Park scending from the heights of the divide where the river begins its journey as either flow toward the Atlantic Ocean, via the Gulf of Mexico, or to the Pacific Ocean, depending on which side of the On the verdant slopes divide they originate. we’ll begin to see herds During our post-conference tour, we of Rocky Mountain elk will cross this great ridge several times. among patches of snow After our coach leaves Denver at the be- and an array of alpine ginning of our trip, we’ll climb west- wildflowers. ward through the Front Range and then toward the Continental Divide. We’ll pass through and possibly stop at his- snowmelt. Along the way we’ll look for toric mining communities such as Idaho wildlife and stop often to take in the Springs, Georgetown, and Silver Plume. grand scenery. The highway climbs to approximately After having lunch at Grand Lake, 11,000 feet where it enters the Eisen- we’ll enter the National Park and begin hower Tunnel, from which we’ll emerge to climb once again toward the Conti- on the western side of the Continental nental Divide. The highway through the Divide. Soon we’ll see Dillon Reservoir, park is a gradual upgrade and we will a source of water for the city of Denver. witness a changing landscape from the The water is pumped over and through arid Colorado River valley to lush green the mountains into the eastern drainage. meadows dotted with wild flowers and We’ll be staying in Frisco for two nights herds of wild animals. Mule deer and near the shore of Dillon Reservoir. Rocky Mountain elk are the most com- When we take our day trip to visit the monly seen. Perhaps we will see mar- trees at Windy Ridge and the Limber mots, or even a mountain goat or sheep. Pine Grove, we’ll cross the great Divide Along the road, we’ll pass through again at Hoosier Pass and descend into forests of fir (Abies lasiocarpa and A. South Park. concolor), spruce (Picea pungens) and From Frisco we’ll drive north pines (Pinus contorta, P. flexilis, P. pon- through agricultural valleys following a derosa and P. aristata) while keeping our small river that eventually becomes part eyes peeled for witches’ brooms and

34 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY Vol. 20 No. 1 other anomalies. I know I spotted some From Estes Park we’ll head south this past summer when Charlene Harris along the eastern border of Rocky and I drove over this same route. Mountain National Park. We’ll stop at a Trail Ridge road climbs through a se- lakeside visitor center for a brief rest ries of switchbacks to nearly 12,000 feet and continue on to a BBQ lunch at a in elevation. On the verdant slopes we’ll guest ranch along a roaring stream. The begin to see herds of Rocky Mountain highway will bring us through a very elk among patches of snow and an array picturesque canyon and into the city of of alpine wildflowers. At Alpine Visitor Boulder, home of Colorado State Uni- Center, we’ll take time to enjoy the view versity. There we will go to the home of and the cool fresh air. At this altitude Dr. Alan Taylor to visit his gardens. He everyone must be careful to not hurry. has a very attractive garden on two city We’ll continue across the picturesque lots with many plants that he has col- Trail Ridge and stop when possible to lected throughout the southwest. He is take in the grand views. Eventually the known for his introduction of Pinus con- road will descend through the eastern torta var. latifolia ‘Taylor’s Sunburst,’ a side of the park through conifer forests lodgepole pine that has brilliant golden and meadows and come out at the city of yellow foliage in the spring and early Estes Park. summer. One garden by his home is Estes Park is a resort community on composed of hardy cactus. He has an the eastern slope of the Rocky Moun- outstanding collection of Asian bells tains with many tourist attractions. We that he has installed under his pergola will spend a single night here, close to over the patio. the town center. There will be many op- Leaving Boulder, we’ll return to portunities for each of us to relax and Denver to the West Denver Marriott, site enjoy the amenities of this fun commu- of the National Meeting. I’m sure we nity. The Stanley Hotel – made famous will all enjoy the visit to the Rocky by the movie The Shining, with Jack Mountains and our multiple crossings of Nicholson – is perched on a hilltop at the Great Divide. Join us for a Rocky the city’s edge. Mountain Adventure!

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Vol. 20 No. 1 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY 35 Denver Preview: Part 2 The Ancient Bristlecones of Windy Ridge Don Howse

Less than a two-hour drive from and the beautiful limber pines (Pinus Denver is a long, broad valley that is the flexilis) are growing along with krum- headwaters of the South Platte River. moltz of Colorado spruce (Picea pun- Locally this valley is known as South gens) and mats of common juniper Park. The valley is surrounded by high (Juniperus communis). The sub-alpine mountains, many reaching to over fir (Abies lasiocarpa), Colorado white 14,000 feet in elevation. The valley floor, fir (Abies concolor), and Rocky Moun- at more than 10,000 feet, is grassland on tain form of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga which numerous cattle ranches reside. menziesii var. glauca) are found in Antelope are often seen feeding in the pockets among the other trees. The sun- same grassy fields as the herds of do- light is intense here with the broad hori- zon and the deep blue sky. The meandering shallow river has Here we found been dredged over the past 150 years for gnarled and aged trees its deposits of gold. Piles of river rock in an open setting. and dredge tailings can be seen through- Obviously only the out the valley. Willows, sagebrush, native strongest could grasses, and a profusion of spring-bloom- survive here. ing wildflowers grow along the river’s banks and in other wild areas. Along the river at the north end of South Park, mestic cattle. The surrounding hillsides where two highways come together, sits below the high peaks are covered with the town of Fairplay, an old mining town forests of lodgepole pine (Pinus contor- with numerous restored old wood build- ta var. latifolia), Colorado spruce (Picea ings. The local cafe is a popular stop for pungens), and quaking aspen (Populus tourists, as well as the local cattlemen, tremuloides). Rocky Mountain elk and miners and other area residents. Tourists mule deer can be seen on occasion near often wander through the town and visit the trees, grazing in the grasslands. the historical sites, photographing the old On the higher ridges below the bar- wood buildings and other artifacts repre- ren alpine peaks, the trees become senting the old wild west. smaller in stature and grotesquely On a clear day in late October 2001, shaped by the wind and heavy snows. Jerry Morris, Charlene Harris, and I At this level – near timberline – the an- stopped at the café in Fairplay for coffee cient bristlecone pines (Pinus aristata) and a sweet. We were on our way to

36 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY Vol. 20 No. 1 Windy Ridge on the shoulder of Mt. growth, which he has deduced from Bross, one of the 14,000+ foot peaks years of observation and experience. nearby. In his usual manner, Jerry was Jerry spends much of his available time regaling us with his wisdom. Through up here in the mountains. Besides driv- years of experience as a landscape con- ing his powerful four-wheel drive truck, tractor and nurseryman and many years he hikes, snowshoes, and snowmobiles of hiking through these mountains, Jerry to reach the trees that are far from the has developed a number of interesting paved road. He has found many witch’s theories about why plants grow as they brooms and other variants in the trees. do, especially those in the wild that suc- Often as we passed by groves and forests cessfully grow under such adverse con- he would point out a particular witch’s ditions as in these mountains. We had broom or unusual tree. He has collected, come to Fairplay and South Park on a propagated, and named many of these cold and crisp fall morning. variants. He shares these same plants The mountains were grand with man- with collectors from all over the country tles of snow on their shoulders and peaks. who are willing to propagate and distrib- The valley floor was dry, even though we ute them to the horticultural trade. were already above 10,000 feet. Warmed with coffee and pie, we Along the route from Denver, Jerry drove north from Fairplay to the town of had expounded on his theories of plant Alma. We turned off the paved highway

This bristlecone pine (Pinus aristata) shows the effects of perpetual winds blowing off Mt. Bross. Another “flag tree” is pictured on the back cover.

Vol. 20 No. 1 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY 37 and proceeded up a gravel forest service reaching perhaps another 3,000 feet road onto the shoulder of Mt. Bross. above us. Dry grasses and the seed heads Relics from past mining operations were of flowering alpine plants tried to stand visible along the road and the roaring against the constant gale. The gnarled stream we followed. Old mine entrances limbs and branches of the trees all leaned were apparent on the hillsides. downward, away from the wind. The The road became very rough and nar- first trees we encountered were beautiful row, eventually covered with dry frozen and awe inspiring, but did not prepare us wind-blown snow. Jerry pointed out a for the wonderful site we were about to very dwarf old Bristlecone Pine that he behold. We emerged from among the has named “The Sage.” He says it is a large trees and around the brow of the dwarf seedling, the seed probably having hill into a fierce and bitterly cold wind. come from the cone of a witches’ broom Here we found gnarled and aged trees in on another plant many years ago, perhaps an open setting. Obviously only the several hundred. The old tree sits off the strongest could survive here. road at the bottom of a glade alongside a The trees were large and had massive, woodlot of normal upright trees. It has a barren trunks and limbs that leaned pre- massive trunk and stunted branches, and cariously out over the open hillside. The is probably much older than the forest of old wood had been beaten and polished normal trees that surround it. It was an by wind that carries sand and grit from honor to see “The Sage.” the mountain and ice particles in its cur- We stopped on a wind-blown hill- rents. The foliage was generally found on side by a rail fence. I believe we were branches far from the main trunks, on the somewhere near 11,000 feet in eleva- leeward side of the plants. Some of the tion. Fortunately, we had come prepared trees had fallen after enduring years, cen- for the cold and snow. The wind blows turies, and perhaps millennia of the con- perpetually off the slopes of Mt. Bross. stant harsh windy conditions. The snow was only a few inches deep Many of the trees grew almost hori- and very crunchy. In open areas the zontally, with their branches and trunks wind had blown the snow off, and deep lying on the rocky ground. Where the drifts collected on the lee side of the ground was not covered with frozen trees and evergreen brush. snow I could see that it was very rocky The U.S. Forest Service and people and coarse. Tiny alpine cushions, brown who have an interest in preserving the and asleep for the long winter, grew in trees here have set this site aside. Beyond the crevices among the rocks. They had the rail fence we soon encountered large made their brief appearance during the bristlecone pines (Pinus aristata) that short spring and summer, bloomed and had massive trunks and twisted limbs. set seed, and retired for the long winter They stood well above our heads and ahead. They were minute, and I won- were very old. We were very near tim- berline on the mountain. I noticed a few Jerry Morris, shown with the wind-blown krummoltz of spruce above bristlecone pine he believes where we parked, and a barren summit may be the oldest living tree.

38 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY Vol. 20 No. 1 Vol. 20 No. 1 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY 39 dered how many we treaded on as we also erected a few similar cairns. Young gazed at the beautiful trees. seedlings were beginning to grow where The live bark that covered the cam- for many years, perhaps centuries none bium layers of these old trees was on the had taken hold. far side away from the wind, and often Among the gnarled bristlecone pines lying on the ground. The side of the were young, upright trees with dense fo- trees the wind battered was dead wood, liage that all grew away from the wind. with old dead broken branches lifted up- They looked like flag poles with green ward toward the sky. The resin-encrust- banners along a parade route. They often ed foliage was found on the few grew in regimented lines with their branches and twigs that grew out of the green flags uniformly aligned. The live bark and cambium tissues. Jerry branches and twigs only grew on the pointed out how many of the trees began leeward side of the main poles. At the life as a seedling behind a small cairn of base of the trees, masses of brush grew rocks or boulders. Jerry and his grand- broadly around the upright sentries. sons had started making small piles of These upright “flag trees” were mostly rocks during his many visits and now Colorado Spruce (Picea pungens), dark there were young seedlings growing in green in color. Some of them may be the lee of these cairns. He also noted sub-alpine firs (Abies lasiocarpa). In the that other visitors had taken the idea and parallel alleys formed by regimented

Jerry Morris points to the location next to a small cairn of rocks where this ancient bristlecone pine first emerged.

40 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY Vol. 20 No. 1 rows of “flag” trees, nothing grew but Charlene and I spent an exciting late the grass and weeds. The wind howled October morning on that cold windy through these alleys. This was truly a site. We shot many rolls of film. To say bizarre sight with the rows of flags, ban- the least, we were awe-inspired. Spend- ners and barren alleys. ing time with a man like Jerry Morris at As we strolled among the many pic- such a site is a memorable adventure. turesque trees shooting roll after roll of This summer, following the 2003 film, Jerry would call our attention to National Meeting in Denver, we will unique characteristics of the trees. He take the participants of the post-confer- often pointed out clusters of dense ence tour to Windy Ridge. Jerry will be growth that were in essence old witches’ accompany us to show us these same brooms. The young and vigorous trees trees. Decide for yourself if this tree that we found, sheltered from the wind by Jerry has found is truly the oldest living other trees, were loaded with dark resin- tree in the world. Come and meet “The covered cones. Some of the witches’ Sage” personally. Bring your camera brooms even had cones on them. As we and good walking boots. Even though pondered what the resultant seedling we’ll be going in July, I recommend a might be like, he reminded us of “The good jacket and hat. The buses will de- Sage” we had seen earlier. liver us near the site, with only a short Jerry said corings have been taken walk up a hill to see the bristlecones at from the trees on this site, and there are Windy Ridge. between 89 and 95 annual rings to each (Note: Alternative activities will be inch of wood. With the trees mostly available in the area for those on the post being one-sided, growing away from the conference tour who do not feel they are wind, the trunks have only a radius, able to trek at such an altitude.) rather than a diameter. He brought us to one particular tree that he proposes might be the oldest liv- ing tree, older than the trees in the White Mountains of . This particular tree is not attached to the ground on the windward side where the seedling would have started to grow eons ago. A few inches above the ground, the expanse of WOLF-RUN wood to the far side where the bark and NURSERY cambium still grow is more than seven LANDSCAPES feet across. Taking 89 annual rings to the Rare and Unusual Plant Material inch of wood and extrapolating that fig- Exotic Conifers ure would lead one to believe that this tree is more than seven thousand years of Karen & Mark Priebe 610-779-5717 age. Is it possible that Jerry has found the Toll Free 877-779-5715 29 Klappenthal Road oldest living tree? Scientists need to take Fax 610-779-0555 Reading, PA 19606 a coring to find out for sure. E-mail: [email protected] wolfrunnursery.com

Vol. 20 No. 1 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY 41 Denver Preview: Part 3 The Limber Pine Grove Don Howse

Last July, Charlene Harris and I returned steps. A stream with cascading waterfalls to Colorado to prepare for the 2003 flows over the wall and through the gar- National Meeting. Besides visiting sites den beds to idyllic pools. The gardens in the Denver area, we spent some time are richly planted with flowering peren- in the mountains of Colorado checking nials and woody trees and shrubs, in- out sites for the post conference tour. cluding numerous conifers. Because of One sunny day, Jerry Morris joined us the short season, the flowering plants and led us to several places of interest will be displayed in a beautiful show and beauty. throughout the early summer when we We’d spent the night in Frisco, near will come to visit. The former President the shore of Dillon Reservoir. The post- Ford and First Lady are often found wan- conference tour will include two nights dering the paths of the lovely gardens, as here. Frisco is just off I-70 high in the they spend their summers nearby. mountains at about 10,000 feet. It’s a fun Other well-known resort communi- resort village that’s open year-round, but ties of Silverthorne and Breckinridge are in the winter it’s a popular winter sports quite close to Frisco, and a commuter bus hub, with many good ski hills and winter allows folks to visit all of them. South of sports sites nearby. During the summer, Breckinridge is Hoosier Pass, which is the lake and alpine grandeur attract visi- the entrance to South Park, the broad val- tors to the town. There are many excel- ley forming the headwaters of the South lent shops and restaurants clustered Platte River. A few miles from Hoosier around the main street. We particularly Pass is the city of Fairplay, another quaint enjoyed eating at the local brewery. western town. A few miles west on I-70 is the ski- On one particularly beautiful sunny ing mecca known as Vail. Here also is an day in mid-July, Jerry Morris joined outstanding alpine botanic garden, The Charlene and me. We traveled a short Betty Ford Garden. I was absolutely distance south of Fairplay and turned amazed at the broad diversity of plants onto the gravel road that leads to Four on display in the gardens. Snow falls on Mile Creek and Mt. Sherman. The road the garden in October, and remains there crosses a broad expanse of sagebrush- until mid-May. The plants, many of covered valley floor and eventually which I did not think would survive at leads to the slopes of Mt. Sherman, one this altitude, are tucked away in winter of the many 14,000+ foot peaks in the slumber under a heavy coat of protective area. Vehicles can drive to about 12,000 snow. The gardens are laid out on a steep feet level on the side of the mountain, slope with meandering pathways and where trails then lead to old abandoned

42 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY Vol. 20 No. 1 mines and mountainsides sheathed in portions of the . From the parking alpine wildflowers. On the way toward area the trail led down to the creek where Mt. Sherman along Four Mile Creek, the large timbers have been set to provide a U.S. Forest Service has provided a pull bridge to cross the creek. In the pool of off with space for a few vehicles and a clear mountain water, we could see rain- small wood sign inscribed “Limber Pine bow trout swimming and circling. Grove.” The trail climbed diagonally up the Across the creek, we could see a slope. Shortly after crossing the creek, thick cover of pine and spruce and a Jerry led us away from the trail through small dusty trail climbing into the the woods. He said he wanted to show woods. Above the woods was a barren us a couple of special trees. The woods craggy mountain with large outcrops of seemed to be comprised of lodgepole jagged, pinkish-orange rocks. The side pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia), Col- of the mountain had calved and fallen orado spruce (Picea pungens), and a few long ago, creating a large shelf of rugged limber pine (Pinus flexilis). A few rocks. Part of the mountain had slid ground-hugging junipers (Juniperus down the slope and covered the upper communis) and chaparral-type brush like manzanita (Arctostaphyl- los sp.) grew in the woods under the thin canopy. As we climbed the gradual slope in the woods, stepping over and around the trees and logs, we noticed a few witches’ brooms in the branches of the trees. Soon we came upon a very dwarf specimen of Col- orado spruce, only a few feet in height. It was dark grayish- green and had dense branches and foliage. It was similar in form and characteristics to the dwarf horticultural selections we know well in our land- scapes and gardens. It was nice to see such a plant in its natural setting, among tall un- inhibited trees. A short dis- tance from the spruce, we

The Betty Ford Garden, near Vail, includes many conifers as well as alpine plants.

Vol. 20 No. 1 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY 43 came upon a large spreading form of surface. The oldest living trees had mas- limber pine. This old tree had branched sive trunks and limbs that reached for the soon after germination and formed a clear blue summer sky. Some trees had sprawling giant with multiple trunks. long since perished but continued to The trunks radiated outward from the stand upright during the many years and central point where the seedling had perhaps centuries since. They were a tes- started to grow, with a few forming up- tament to the harsh conditions in which right leaders apart from the other trunks. the surviving trees continue to grow. It was an unusual specimen of this The rich green foliage grew at the Rocky Mountain species. terminals of the branches and twigs, We reconnected with the trail leading waving over the sun-blasted and bur- to the Limber Pine Grove and came out nished wood. Many of the trees’ trunks to a wall of tumbled, jagged rocks. The were several feet in diameter near the trail changed from the dust and dirt ground line, and Jerry explained that under the forest canopy to broken rock. these were more than 1000 years old. He After only a short climb, we reached the estimated some of the trees to be 3000 to ledge of jagged rock that had sheared off 4000 years old and still flourishing. the side of the mountain. A sign posted On the top of a large boulder was a by the U.S. Forest Service told us we small seedling only a few inches high, were entering the old Limber Pine with its roots tapping a tiny crevice. Grove. It stated that many of the trees Despite the conditions, nature continues were more than 1000 years old and to replenish itself. High on the rocky scree uniquely shaped by the harsh conditions. above us were prostrate sheets of spruce, The trees in the grove are gnarled and with a few upright spires. The trees try to quite grotesque in form, with an awe- grow normally with an upright conical some beauty. They put their roots down form but are modified by the winds and through the jagged rock formations to harsh conditions. A few branches reach soil, nutrients and water far below the only a few feet vertically in very narrow

44 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY Vol. 20 No. 1 spires above the thick green mat. This site is truly awe-inspiring. It’s an About the author: Don Howse, long- easy hike from the parking area and well time active member of ACS and worth the time and effort. We spotted sev- frequent contributor to the Conifer eral witches’ brooms and other variations Quarterly, is owner of Porterhowse on the trees as we descended the trail back Farms in Sandy, Oregon. He is a to our vehicle. Come with us this summer charter member of the Conifer Society and see how many you can find. Bring and has served on the board as and as your camera and plenty of film to record officer. He is currently national meeting these awesome ancient relics. Good hik- chair for the 2003 National Meeting in ing boots are also recommended. Denver. Should you want to join the post con- ference tour but are not interested in climbing the mountain trails to these magnificent trees, there will be plenty to do in the resort communities where we’ll be lodging.

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Vol. 20 No. 1 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY 45 The Peter Girard, Jr. Grant Charlene Harris

The Peter Girard, Jr. Grant was estab- garden. He collected and exchanged scion lished in 2000 to support the Conifer and seed from several of the Society’s Society’s goals and honor Pete’s memory. early founding members and arboretums The Girard Nurseries in Geneva, throughout the Midwest. Ohio, is one of the oldest nurseries in The Peter Girard, Jr. Grant is funded the Central Region to propagate and by the proceeds from regional meeting grow dwarf and rare conifers. The 1993 auctions, which Pete so generously sup- Central Region meeting and the 1994 ported during his life. National Meeting were hosted by Girard In 2001, the first grants were given to Nurseries. Many Central Region mem- Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gar- bers’ conifer collections were started dens and Illinois Central College Arbore- with plants from Pete’s nursery and pri- tum, and in 2002, the Iowa Arboretum in vate collection. Madrid, Iowa, received the grant. Pete was a very generous nurseryman. The criteria for grant program appli- One never left his nursery without some- cants are published in the Conifer thing extra he’d give you to try in your Quarterly and on the Conifer Society’s Web site at www.conifersociety.org in the years it is offered. Through the grant program Pete’s generosity will continue to grow. In the Spring of 2002, a living me- morial to Peter Girard, Jr. was planted at Hidden Lake Gardens in Tipton, Michi- gan, where he often collected scion. The planting includes Chamaecyparis noot- katensis ‘Pendula’, the signature conifer 2003 will be our 57th year in featured in Girard Nurseries advertise- business. We offer dwarf ments, as well as Juniperus chinensis and unusual conifers and Japan- ‘Saybrook Gold,’ originally discovered ese maples from small by Peter Girard, Jr. to specimen sizes. When the snow flies, we make The Grant is not an annual award, custom plant labels by order. but rather is dependent upon revenues from the Central Meeting plant auction. Specifics for the next 816 Holly Pike award will be determined after the Mt. Holly Springs, PA 17065 June 2003 Central Meeting. (717) 486-5142 www.suncrest-gardens.com

46 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY Vol. 20 No. 1 The Jean Iseli Memorial Award APPLICATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED The American Conifer Society, which supports the development, conservation and propagation of conifers with an emphasis on dwarf or unusual varieties, awards a $1,000 grant to a public garden, arboretum or horticultural institution. The award was established in 1986 in honor of the memory of plantsman Jean Iseli of Boring, Oregon. Jean Iseli was an ACS founder and conifer propagator. Proposals must contain the following: a. Name, full address, and phone number of the applicant/institution b. Brief description of how the ACS funds would be used c. List of plant materials (if the request involves conifer purchases) d. Budget e. Short overview of mission statement or horticultural background of your institution Send applications to: Edward R. Hasselkus, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus 746 Miami Pass Madison, WI 53711-2933 Applications must be received by March 31, 2003 Dr. Hasselkus chairs a three-person committee that reviews applications and makes its recommendation to the ACS Board of Directors at the annual summer meeting. Announcements of the award recipient will be made by September 1, 2003.

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Vol. 20 No. 1 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY 47 Directorate

Officers President Dennis Groh, 160 S. Evangeline, Dearborn Heights, MI 48125 PH (313) 561-2315 E-mail: [email protected] Vice President/ Don Wild, 3058 Cross Creek Ct., Ann Arbor, MI 48108 Treasurer PH (734) 662-6461 E-mail: [email protected] Secretary Kathleen Pottratz, 22289 S. Molalla Hwy, Oregon City, OR 97045 PH (503) 632-3475 FAX (503) 632-4967 E-mail: [email protected] Past President Marvin Snyder, 9107 Outlook Dr., Overland Park, KS 66207 PH (913) 648-4009 FAX (913) 648-1024 E-mail: [email protected] Directors Term expires 2003 Orlan Gaeddert, P.O. Box 25, Canaan, NY 12029 PH/FAX (518) 781-4662 E-mail: [email protected] Dennis Groh, (see President above) Bill Wells, 290 Woodcrest Rd., West Grove, PA 19390 PH (610) 869-3883 FAX (610) 869-4288 E-mail: [email protected] Term expires 2004 Bill Barger, 3200 Rohrer Rd., Wadsworth, OH 44281 PH (330) 336-9695 E-mail: [email protected] Ridge Goodwin, P.O. Box 310, Holicong, PA 18928 PH (215) 794-3216 FAX (215) 794-7104 E-mail: [email protected] Sam Jones, 1971 Whippoorwill Rd., Bishop, GA 30621 PH (706) 769-6516 Term expires 2005 Flo Chaffin, 3650 Colham Ferry Rd., Watkinsville, GA 30677 PH (706) 310-0143 FAX (706) 310-0562 E-mail: [email protected] Don Wild, (see Vice President/Treasurer above) Lester Wyman, 86 Tavern Waye, Hanson, MA 02341 PH (781) 447-3579 FAX (781) 447-3758 E-mail: [email protected] Regional Presidents Northeastern Region Ridge Goodwin, PO Box 310, Holicong, PA 18928 PH (215) 794-3216 FAX (215) 794-7104 E-mail: [email protected] Central Region Gary Whittenbaugh, 625 3rd Ave. SW, Oelwein, IA 50662 PH (319) 283-3050 FAX (319) 283-4773 E-mail: [email protected] Western Region Randy Oster, 29600 Kowall Rd., Estacada, OR 97023 PH (503) 630-7975 FAX (503) 630-7955 E-mail: [email protected] Southeastern Region Mike Balogh, 40 Elkins Branch Rd., Weaverville, NC 28787 PH (828) 626-2695 E-mail: [email protected] American Conifer Society Staff ACS Office John Martin, P.O. Box 3422, Crofton, MD 21114-0422 PH (410) 721-6611 FAX (410) 721-9636 E-mail: [email protected] Editor, Anne Brennan, 1820 Bridgetown Pike, Feasterville, PA 19053 Conifer Quarterly PH (215) 364-0566 FAX (215) 827-5926 E-mail: [email protected]

American Conifer Society Web Page: www.conifersociety.org

48 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY Vol. 20 No. 1 The Limber Pine Grove is just one of many stops on the 2003 post-conference tour near Denver. (See article on page 42.) Don Howse Panayoti Kelaidis / Denver Botanic Gardens The Denver Botanic Gardens’ Japanese Garden includes hundreds of Ponderosa pines and mugos (Pinus ponderosa and P.mugo). (See article on page 20) Don Howse “Flag trees” are common on Windy Ridge in Colorado. Don Howse describes his recent visit to the site, which is also part of the 2003 post-conference tour. (See story on page 36.)