CConiferonifer QQuarterlyuarterly Vol. 29 No. 3 Summer 2012

Red Buttes Layers in the Klamath Mountains Photo by Michael Kauff mann In Pursuit of Pinsapos Brewer Spruce Photos by Tom Cox Photo by Michael Kauff mann The Conifer Quarterly is the publication of the American Conifer Society Contents

4 President’s Message

6 Editor’s Corner: My Addicted Conifer Syndrome

9 Developing A Dedicated Dwarf Conifer Garden in North Carolina

14 Come to California Wine Country!

18 In Pursuit of Pinsapos

Vol. 29 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 1 Contents

24 Reprinted by courtesy of the British Conifer Society Journal A Workshop on Conifers in China and a Visit to the Mountain Tianmu Shan

32 Hoyt Arboretum

36 Conifer Country: A natural history and hiking guide to 35 Conifers of the Klamath Mountain region.

40 Our Dream

2 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 29 No. 3

Larix decidua ‘Pendula’ spring cones. Photo by Ann and David Gunkel.

The purposes of the American Conifer Society are the development, conservation, and propagation of conifers, with an emphasis on those that are dwarf or unusual, standardization of nomenclature, and education of the public.

Vol. 29 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 3 arry Nau succeeded me at the end Conifer L of the July 12th ACS Board of Directors meeting. Other changes in the Quarterly Board included Colby Feller becoming the President of the Northeast Region, Summer 2012 Volume 29, No 3 and Jim Kelley the new President of The Conifer Quarterly (ISSN 8755-0490) the Central Region. Many thanks went is published quarterly by the American to Frank Goodhart and Chris Daeger Conifer Society. The Society is a non-profi t for their service in the aforementioned organization incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is tax positions. exempt under section 501(c)3 of the Internal The ACS National Meeting in Ann Revenue Service Code. th You are invited to join our Society. Please Arbor, Michigan, of July 12 – 14th had address membership and other inquiries to the a record 297 members registered, and American Conifer Society National Offi ce, 175 the fi rst Conifer College held on July 12th Charisma Lane, Lewisville, NC 27023-9611. Membership: US $30 (indiv.), $35 (joint), $30 had 192 members registered. At one ACS (institutional), $50 (sustaining), $100 (corporate Reference Garden, The Harper Conifer business) and $130 (patron). If you are moving, please notify the National Offi ce 4 weeks in Collection of Dwarf and Rare Conifers advance. at Hidden Lake Gardens, attendees were All editorial and advertising matters should given the chance to vote for their favorite be sent to: Ron Elardo, 5749 Hunter Ct., Adrian, MI 49221-2471, (517) 902-7230 conifers. or email [email protected] Congratulations went to Gary Gee, Editor Stockbridge, Michigan, who received Ronald J. Elardo the 2012 Justin C. “Chub” Harper Award Technical Editors of Merit for Development in the Field Jerry Belanger of Conifers. Attendees of the National Steven Courtney Robert Fincham Meeting had the pleasure of visiting Gary Ethan Johnson and Kaye Gee’s family farm on July 14th. R.William Thomas Flo Chaffi n of Specialty Ornamentals, Advisory Committee Larry Nau, Committee Chair Watkinsville, Georgia, received our Sean Callahan highest honor, the Marvin and Emelie Ronald J. Elardo Snyder Award for Dedicated Support of Ethan Johnson Evelyn Cox, past Editor the American Conifer Society. Flo has ex offi cio: Ellen Kelley been a passionate advocate, organizer, ex offi cio: John Martin recruiter and educator who served on the Copyright © 2012, American Conifer Society. All rights reserved. No material contained ACS National Board of Directors. herein may be reproduced in any form without Reference gardens were fi rst prior written permission of the publisher. proposed by Larry Nau and have been Opinions expressed by authors and advertisers are not necessarily those of the Society. very successful in the Southeast Region where Barbie Colvin has set the standard Note: Hardiness Zone references in the Conifer Quarterly are USDA classifi cations unless for administering the program. In the otherwise specifi ed. Northeast Region, the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania,

4 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 29 No. 3 FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK is to be the home of a fi rst-class conifer as Editor. For that and the quality of this reference garden. In the Central Region, publication he deserves commendation. the Bickelhaupt Arboretum in Clinton, The ACS website has not cost the society Iowa and Powell Gardens in Kingsville, a penny this year. Bill Barger needs to be Missouri, just outside Kansas City, are recognized for this and for the conifers now ACS Reference Gardens. If there he donates to ACS auctions. John Martin is a public garden near you which you has been an exemplary colleague, believe would be willing to participate providing history and perspectives well in this program, please contact your beyond his position as National Offi ce regional president. Manager. It only helps that he is married Which conifers have performed to Sue, who has had the best interests of best in your area and attracted the most the Society in mind from its beginnings. attention? Please send me a list and Please consider collecting seed this perhaps an image or two so that I can year and mailing it to Jim Brackman, our have the results published in Conifer ACS Seed Exchange Chairman. Also, if Quarterly and/or on the ACS website. you have any special conifers you wish I also extend many thanks to all who to promote, Rich Larson, our Conifer have generously donated plants to ACS Registrar, says it only takes 15 minutes auctions. This along with membership to fi ll out a cultivar registration form. dues is a primary source of revenue for Thank you for being a member of the the Society. Meeting registration fees American Conifer Society. It has been a are commonly priced to cover costs distinct honor to serve you. and realize just a small profi t so that attendance can be maximized. Faithfully yours, Our Conifer Quarterly is the primary benefi t of membership. It has been my top priority. Ron Elardo has gone above and beyond his responsibilities EtEthanhhan JoJohnsonhhnson

http://DansDwarfConifers.Etsy.com

Vol. 29 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 5 Editor’s Corner: My Addicted Conifer Syndrome

which fi rst reaches out and touches the prospective buy. Whether it be the color, the texture, the shape, or even the science behind the specifi c conifer, once hooked, there is only the balance in our checkbook or the limit on our credit card which will hold us back from acquiring “yet another conifer”. Of course, then there is the spousal disapproval, with which we sometimes have to cope. “Ronald, don’t we have enough trees?” “Ronald, things are getting way too crowded. There are so many.” “Ronald, get that conifer out of there. It’s in the way.” “Honey, where shall I move it to?” “Try putting it in a pot. You’ve got all those pots in the barn! ” (My wife started that whole journey.) “Ronald, why haven’t you planted anything on the back acre?” “Yikes! What did she say? I can buy t is 6:00 a.m. The sun is coloring more conifers to fi ll my empty acre? I the top of my 25’ Abies concolor. As Pinch me. Am I dead?” I watch the solar illumination descend Codependency and enabling can lead down the spread of the tree, I recall the us to attempt to quench the seemingly way in which that tree came to live at my unquenchable thirst for “just one more”, house. It was not a small tree. My ACS knowing that all we need do is see was just beginning; in fact, my addiction another love of our life. As I use you as was merely a year old. The fi r’s journey my enabling collective therapist, I must from a local nursery to my front yard is confess something. anything less than colorful. In that story I have failed in my attempt to are the telltale symptoms of ACS which cure myself of the ACS. Behavioral have now gone from wild hunting and techniques are not working. I can’t just collecting to caressing and sniffi ng. change my venue. I can’t go to another I am a very tactile person. As room without seeing a conifer out the we coniferites all know, it is the eye window. Going outside is no better.

6 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 29 No. 3 They are all there, watching me, calling Weeping’ when a waft of aroma was me. Even reading a book in my second carried by a gentle breeze from the tree language German carries me to books on and into my nostrils. I reached out and Nadelgehōlze (conifers). I cannot see the gently cradled a cluster of leaves in forest for the trees. my hands. I pressed the needles to my No matter where I am, the sight of nasal passages. I took a deep breath and a conifer will inevitably send my mind “Mmmmm. Something of a dusty, almost racing to answer such questions as: lemony smell.” Then I started going 1.) How can I get that one? around to my other conifers. Either the 2.) Where will it go in the landscape? base of the cones and their resin or needle 3.) Can I grow it in a decorative pot? clusters touched my olfactory nerves. I 4.) What scent and texture does it have? particularly like Cupressus nootkatensis. Notice, I haven’t asked myself what its It is cedary, but not like cedar wood. It’s zonal constraints are, or what size it will just “cedary”. The scent of the cones become, or haven’t realized that I am of Pinus koraiensis is intoxicating. hearing voices and talking to myself. No Pinus leucodermis smells like freshly matter what, I am in it for the long haul. cut celery. Abies concolor came to live on my Smelling conifers has been added to property after a tree I had picked out, a my repertoire of pleasures surrounding Taxodium distichum, to replace a failing my ACS. I don’t believe that I have Pinus strobus ’Pendula’, got sold out sunk to bizarre levels of appreciation from under me. Then the guilt-ridden of conifers. None of the neighbors have nurseryman made the mistake of telling said anything to me when they see me me to pick out any tree I wanted since sniffi ng. I have invited my wife to his mea culpa needed to be satiated. smell the conifers. She can’t smell what I marched off to his stash, and there it I smell. I know I am not insane. I’m stood, one big honker of a fi r. I even got just addicted. to thinking that they should plant it for free, and they did! Little did I realize that Ron Scarlett O’Hara’s exclamation that she would even kill to keep herself and her kin from being hungry had aroused the same Shadow in me, only in the form of getting more conifers at any cost. “Oh no!” I thought. “My new love for conifers had pushed me over the rational edge.” Now I was bargaining in a death- grip with my nurseryman. Oh well. All told, the number of conifers in my possession is 78. As if numbers weren’t bad enough as the physical manifestation of my affl iction, I discovered one day the scent of conifers. I was passing a Juniperus scopulorum ‘Tolleson’s Blue

Vol. 29 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 7 8 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 29 No. 3 Developing A Dedicated Dwarf Conifer Garden in North Carolina Text by Charles R. Keith Photos by David Swanson

n 2010 the Charles R. Keith The focus of the collection in the 25 I Arboretum, located seven miles acre arboretum is on woody temperate northwest of Chapel Hill, North Carolina species, which now number over four [email protected] in Zone thousand. Over the years, however, we 7, was honored to receive the Jean could not pass up lovely dwarf conifers. Iseli Memorial Award. The award Therefore, we had planted 191 of them provided funds to create dedicated dwarf scattered throughout the arboretum at conifer beds. the time of our Iseli application. The Keith Arboretum also has hundreds of other conifer species and varieties. Upon receipt of the award, we immediately faced several decisions. First, we decided, with a few exceptions, not to duplicate any dwarf conifers already in our collection. With a list

A view of the established conifer collection.

A 12’ Taiwania cryptomerioides.

Vol. 29 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 9 A 10’ Picea morrisonicola.

New conifer bed on sunny, well-draining slope.

10 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 29 No. 3 Picea pungens ‘Jean Iseli’ in new conifer bed on partly sunny, fl at terrain.

of established dwarf varieties in hand, ‘Jean Iseli.’ The increased moisture and John Monroe of Architectural Trees in sun protection of this site would allow Durham, North Carolina and one of our planting of dwarf Chamaecyparis, Tsuga, Board members, went to Oregon and Thuja and Picea varieties. hand picked approximately 100 varieties Choosing this latter site presented a at Iseli, Buchholtz, Stanley and other problem. On its northern edge stands nurseries for shipment back to North a beautiful 60’ Cudrania tricuspidata Carolina. with unfortunately vicious suckers While waiting for the shipments, we – and the suckers have thorns! Wise selected and prepared two bed sites. One arborists would never have planted it. As site was on a full sun, well-draining slope happens with other species like Populus where we would plant primarily junipers alba, after 25 years or so in the ground, and pines. its suckering tendency is thankfully The other site was on fl at terrain with decreasing. We did not want to cut down good drainage and some shade protection the Cudrania since the overall mission from a Cedrus libani, Juniperus of the arboretum is maximal species rigida, and Pinus densifl ora around its diversity. Thus, we were in a dilemma circumference. In the center of this bed about constructing a dwarf conifer bed is an established 10’ Picea pungens at its base. A compromise was reached by laying down a heavy-duty, woven polypropylene ground cover over the (Technical Editor’s Note: Both conifer bed area, and then cutting holes Eckenwalder and Farjon relegate in the cloth for planting. Skeptics said Taiwania fl ousiana to synonymy the Cudrania suckers would punch up with Taiwania cryptomerioides.) through the fabric cloth. Fortunately, no

Vol. 29 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 11 suckers have appeared after two years. Summer heat is a major issue for Most disconcerting during the fi rst conifer collectors in the Southeast. Here summer was the loss of several balled and in the Piedmont, we have many days burlapped specimens from Oregon. In over 100°F with high humidity and warm spite of careful watering, insuffi cient root nighttime temperatures. Abies species growth before the fi rst summer heat blast are problematic unless grafted onto heat- took its toll. We also brought in several tolerant Abies fi rma rootstock. Abies Chamaecyparis lawsoniana varieties koreana ‘Silberlocke’ grafted onto A. which were grafted onto Phytophthora fi rma is the only Abies in our new beds. root rot resistant C. lawsoniana ‘DR’ It is not a dwarf in cooler climes, but for rootstock. Alas, all died by the end of us it is a very slow grower. Curiously year two, but this probably had more to Abies balsamea ‘Nana’ on its own roots do with the transition from the relatively has survived here for 20 years probably cool Oregon climate to a hot one than because a Viburnum x carlecephalum has with any root rot issues. (Have others grown over it providing almost full shade. had experience with this rootstock in the We are bringing in all the available Abies Southeast?) Flo Chaffi n*, of Georgia, species and grafting them onto A. fi rma. kindly donated Chaaecyparis lawsoniana Once this is completed and they are in the ‘Golden Showers’ and ‘Pembury Blue’ ground, we plan to bring in Abies dwarf grafted onto Chamaecyparis pisifera varieties and graft them onto A. fi rma. ‘Boulevard’ rootstock which have done Currently most Abies dwarfs in the U.S. well, so far.

Cedrus libani in new, partly sunny conifer bed.

12 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 29 No. 3 are grafted onto A. fraseri, balsamea and Canaan fi r rootstock which once again do not survive well here. (Technical Editor’s Note: Canaan fi r is Abies balsamea var. phanerolepis.) We should note that some Abies species, e.g., nordmanniana, holophylla, homolepis, bornmuelleriana, and pindrow have, so far, done well on their own roots here. We are now at the end of year two, and the beds have stabilized with few losses. Among the 40 specimens in the upper sunny bed are: Pinus pumila ‘Jeddeloh’ and ‘Glauca’, Pinus sylvestris ‘Burghfi eld’, Large Juniperis rigida on edge of the new, partly Pinus monticola sunny conifer bed. ‘Crawford’, Pinus uncinata ‘Loucky’ and Pinus peuce and varieties of P. banksiana have done ‘Mrs. Cesarini’. (Technical Editor’s well here in spite of the North Carolina Note: Farjon accepts Pinus uncinata heat. as a species but does not accept the Creation of these display beds has infraspecifi c taxa, and Eckenwalder been an exciting learning experience for lists it as Pinus mugo subsp. uncinata us, for which we thank the American with the var. rotundata being relegated Conifer Society and Iseli Nursery for to synonymy.) Among the 75 specimens so generously matching the funding in the sun protected level bed are: Picea from the Jean Iseli Memorial Award. We omorika ‘Tremonia’ and ‘Kamenz,’ hope others will enjoy them too. Please Tsuga diversifolia ‘Loowit’, Picea contact us at: info@Keitharboretum to jezoensis ‘Chitosemaru’, Pinus cembra arrange a visit. ‘Stricta’ and Pinus pumila ‘Pygmaea’ and Picea engelmannii ‘Compact’. Also *Many thanks to Flo Chaffi n for her in this bed is a long established Pinus generous support and advice throughout banksiana ‘Uncle Fogy’. Both the type this endeavor.

Vol. 29 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 13 Come to California Wine Country! Text by Sara Malone Photos by Sara Malone & Janice Le Cocq

hen one conjures up images of about 1500 square miles) makes touring W the California Wine Country, they the gardens a particularly interesting generally consist of vineyard-covered experience, as one can observe the same hillsides interspersed with olive groves or similar plants growing differently in and boutique farms. People fl ock here each garden. from all over the world to sample the Our garden visits are planned so award-winning wines and gourmet that we will have time to linger and food while enjoying the mild climate appreciate the plantings and understand and beautiful scenery. Who would each garden’s background and history. suspect that lurking behind these This not only allows for more in-depth hedonistic images are fabulous conifer experiences but also minimizes bus collections and botanically important time! At Quarryhill, Western Hills and gardens? A clue might lie in the fact that Circle Oak, conference participants will California has two state trees and they are have ample time to converse with folks BOTH conifers: Sequoia sempervirens intimately concerned with the making of (coast redwood) and Sequoiadendron each garden, its evolution and its care. giganteum (giant sequoia). We will learn about how the gardens Because of the inspiring combination began, were laid out and how specimens of scenic beauty, diversity of activities were selected, placed and nurtured. and spots rich in historical and world- wide botanical renown, the ACS Western Quarryhill Botanical Garden Region has decided to break with Most noteworthy for conifer lovers tradition and hold its 2012 conference in our lineup is Quarryhill Botanical October 19th and 20th in Sonoma Gardens, a research-oriented garden County, California, where the weather is home to one of the largest collections of mild, and the fall colors will be nearing scientifi cally documented, wild-source their peak. We invite ACS members from Asian plants in North America and all regions to join us in this wonderful Europe. Many represent ancestors of opportunity to share conifer lore with horticultural favorites found throughout fellow members, see signifi cant gardens the western world, and a signifi cant and learn from some great presenters. number of them are conifers! Sonoma County, although almost Tucked into and around an old rock entirely in USDA zone 9b, has four quarry in Glen Ellen, Quarryhill was separate sunset climate zones, and the founded by Jane Davenport Jansen, gardens we will visit are each in distinct who funded seed collecting expeditions microclimates with differing exposure to Asia in the late 1980’s and early and soil conditions. This diversity within ’90’s, in partnership with the Royal a relatively small area (Sonoma is only Botanic Gardens, Kew and the Howick

14 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 29 No. 3 Arboretum. Those expeditions were and now almost impossible to fi nd in the so successful that planting began in the wild. An interesting aspect of viewing early 1990’s and today visitors can see the multiple specimens at Quarryhill is towering Pinus yunnanensis, Cupressus that they were almost all grown from funebris and Pinus roxburghii, among seed so that there is more individual many other species, all planted from variation amongst the plants of the same wild-collected seed. Many of the plants species than one sees in many settings. grown at Quarryhill are, today, extremely For example, each Cupressus funebris rare and endangered in the wild, as the specimen seems to have a noticeably countries where they originate are either unique shape. It is fun to see the uninterested in protecting their native fl ora or lack funds or support to do so. Quarryhill is increasingly playing an important part in developing ex situ programs to regenerate and then reintroduce threatened species. In fact, Quarryhill has recently been recognized by two major worldwide surveys of conservation efforts, ranking in the top 10 in both, with such Quarryhill Botanical Garden Fall Color. Photo by Sara Malone heady competition as Kew, Arnold (Harvard) and the like. As distinguishing characteristics amongst of this writing, we expect to be escorted seedlings of the same species. We’ll on our tour by Bill McNamara, the have ample time to enjoy and observe as garden’s Executive Director, who led we will have lunch here on the patio, as the early collecting trips and brings a well as tour the garden. personal connection and level of detail to the visitors’ experience which makes Western Hills Garden us feel as if we are part of the effort. Another signifi cant garden on our Some of the special sights for program is Western Hills in Occidental, conifer lovers include a Xanthocyparis six miles east of the Pacifi c Ocean, a vietnamensis, the most recently three-acre plot surrounded by second- discovered conifer species (just featured growth redwood, Douglas fi r and in the spring 2012 CQ). For those of you madrone forest. Occidental experiences who have only seen this in photos, now more marine infl uence than Quarryhill, is your chance to observe one up close and the microclimate is milder. Western and personal. Another unusual specimen Hills began as the private garden of is Fokienia hodginsii, grown from seed Marshall Olbrich and Lester Hawkins, collected in China. It is extremely rare who settled here in the early 1960s and

Vol. 29 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 15 proceeded to collect seeds and plants towers over a Picea smithiana. A 70’ from all over the world, many from tall Taiwania cryptomerioides graces other Mediterranean climates such as another part of the garden. There are South Africa, Chile and Australia. They different species of Taxodium, including opened a nursery in 1972, which became a 100’ tall T. distichum growing not in a mecca for those seeking rare and the pond, but in the middle of a meadow! unusual plants. Hawkins and Olbrich October should fi nd the garden in were ably succeeded after their deaths splendid fall color, and we will wander by close friend Maggie Wych, who put the paths reminding ourselves that many the garden and nursery up for sale in of the garden’s largest specimens started 2005. It fell on hard times when the new there as tiny seedlings. owners, unable to keep it going, lost it to foreclosure. The Gardens at Cornerstone Chris and Tim Szybalski (for In addition to Quarryhill and Oregon nursery buffs, Tim’s cousin Western Hills, we will be visiting is Cistus Nursery owner Sean Hogan, The Gardens at CornerStone, the fi rst who we hope will be leading our tour of ‘gallery-like’ gardens in the U.S. A the garden!) rescued the property from series of walk-through gardens on the neglect in 2010 and have, with the help property showcases new and innovative of the Garden Conservancy, Maggie and designs from the world’s fi nest landscape other dedicated volunteers, repaired, designers and architects and, in the words rejuvenated and re-visioned this important of founder Chris Hougie, “range from horticultural landmark. Garden manager the traditional to modern, conceptual Stacie Miller emphasizes that the new installations”. It is featured in 1001 owners’ intention is to continue to make Gardens to See Before You Die (as is the garden a place of education and Quarryhill). The installations change they look forward to the days when the periodically, but currently feature works garden is again a destination for serious of such luminaries as John Greenlee and gardeners and plant collectors. James Van Sweden. Garden writer Wayne Winterrowd wrote in Horticulture in 2005 that “from Circle Oak Ranch around 1970 to the present, no garden We will also visit the author’s gardens in North America has had a greater at Circle Oak Ranch (see the spring CQ) infl uence than Western Hills”. He and have lunch on the patio. Circle Oak’s called it not just a garden and nursery garden was begun in 1997 and features but a ‘trove of knowledge’. The New over 200 varieties of conifers, from York Times once called it the “Tiffany” miniature varieties to straight species, in of plants! As of now Western Hills is every color imaginable. Designed as a only open by appointment, and we are foliage garden, the emphasis is on woody lucky to have the opportunity to see plants, and the conifers coexist happily some of the wonderful specimens which with California natives, plants from the Marshall and Lester collected. Among Southern hemisphere and those from the conifers are an enormous Pinus the Mediterranean region, as well as a pseudostrobus var. apulcensis, which large and diverse collection of Japanese

16 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 29 No. 3 The Malone home. Photo by Janice Le Cocq

maples, which should be in glorious Istvan Racz on their fi eldwork in Chile, autumn color. The challenge with this Taiwan, Japan, New Zealand and large property, which used to be part of Australia preceding the publication of a dairy farm, was to create harmony and their Conifers Around the World. We’ll cohesiveness while showcasing the many fi nd out how the publishing adventure specimen plantings. Welcoming visitors was almost as hair-raising as some of to Circle Oak is a large Cedrus atlantica the fi eldwork! ‘Glauca Pendula’ over the entry sign We’ll be staying at a lovely Sheraton, and two more fl anking the front door of situated in a bird sanctuary on the banks the house. The garden includes many of the Petaluma River. A wine-tasting is interesting conifer cultivars, including scheduled at world-famous Chateau St. a host of Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, Jean Winery, with beautiful gardens and such as ‘Imbricata Pendula’, ‘Golden grounds which can be enjoyed by tasters Showers’ and ‘Barry’s Silver’, several and non-tasters alike. We’ll have dinner Pinus parvifl ora including ‘Cleary’, at a riverside micro-brew pub with ‘Ogon-i-anome’ and ‘Shion’ and many award-winning beers and food, and there Picea abies specimens, among others. is a sumptuous list of optional activities, nurseries and gardens to visit for those And there’s more! who want to linger for a few more days In addition to the wonderful gardens and really make a vacation of the trip. on our program, we are delighted that There will of course be the ever-popular Kathy Musial, Collections Manager silent and live plant auctions, which will and a Curator and 30-year veteran of feature the usual wide selection of rare the Huntington Gardens in Southern and desirable conifers. Refer to the insert California will be our keynote speaker. in this issue of the CQ for specifi c details She will speak about her experiences about the agenda, lodging and timing. accompanying Zsolt Debreczy and We hope to see you there!

Vol. 29 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 17 In Pursuit of Pinsapos Text and photos by Tom Cox

ulfi lling a promise to my wife search on the internet turned up several F Evelyn, in December 2011 we adventure travel sites which offered traveled to Spain for the fi rst time. Given tours and a website for the city named El it was December; we elected to visit Bosque, where we could obtain permits the region of Andalusia in the southern to visit on our own. Assuming we would portion of the Iberian Peninsula. This be able to fi nd these trees, the latter region shares a three-quarter mile land option was the adventure I had hoped border with the small British territory for. The personal pronoun “I” is used of Gibraltar and is bounded by both the here to make the point that Evelyn would Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. have much preferred sightseeing in a historic town such as Cadiz instead of hiking up some uncharted mountain in the middle of nowhere. In a further effort to get some sense of where to begin our exploration, a few days before we were to leave our hotel, I e-mailed Dan Luscombe with the Bedgebury Pinetum in Kent, England, who I knew had botanized Pinus pinea Strait of Gibraltar in the region. His e-mail reply contained While this would likely be one grid coordinates and several obscure of the warmest areas of Spain, it was references such as “when you get to no coincidence that the region is also the 3rd tee in the road turn left and then home to the only known naturally follow a narrow trail until you get to a occurring populations of Spanish fi r large oak tree…” These guys who do (Abies pinsapo). Prior to departing I this for a living have a different set of learned that A. pinsapo is Andalusia’s reference points from us neophytes. We national tree and that visits to see them also have a conifer friend, Mr. Luis Baste, are quite restricted. They only occur who resides in Barcelona. While he had in the wild in three locations and are never visited the Pinsapos he suggested found growing on the northern slopes of we restrict our search area to the Sierra steep mountains at altitudes of 3,300 to de Grazalema Natural Park. 5,900’ (1,000-1,800 m). An exhaustive Day 1 December 2nd – Drove from

18 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 29 No. 3 Rota to town of El Bosque on mostly narrow two-lane roads. Aside from the misery of driving through the town of Jerez de la Frontera with all its traffi c circles and confusing signs, the drive was quite scenic and devoid of heavy traffi c. We arrived in El Bosque, and, after lunch, found the government offi ce responsible for issuing tourist permits to the area where Pinus pinea we would search. It was at this point I learned of a custom that I could Just prior to descending into the town, not understand – everything shuts down we took a junction road which led us up at 2:00 pm for siesta and does not open a steep mountain. This was to be one of again until 4:00 pm. I was told it was the highlights of the trip as the rugged because of the afternoon heat, but this mist-shrouded mountains appeared at was December and it started to get dark various levels as far as the eye could see. around 5:00. To fi ll some time we drove Their backdrop was a clear blue sky. All to a botanical garden, but it too was around were Italian stone pines (Pinus closed for siesta. pinea) -- each appearing to have been We reluctantly waited until they perfectly sheared like giant mushrooms. re-opened and luckily had a nice young The stone pines are not native to gentleman help us who spoke fairly good this region, but had taken hold as a part English. We were hoping to start our of the region’s reforestation program. trek the next morning, but were told we Scattered amongst these were evergreen would have to come back on Monday oaks of the species Quercus ilex (Holm and go to another location to receive our oak) and Q. lusitanica (Gall Oak), as permit. On the positive side, he supplied well as an occasional Aleppo pine (Pinus us with a trail map where he marked the halepensis). As I have discovered in my trees’ approximate location. He appeared travels, the occurrence of pine species is reassuring that, if we were willing to based in part on elevation. We would not take an approximate three hour hike, we encounter the third species (P. pinaster) would fi nd the Pinsapos. While we had a until we were much higher up – it being long drive back to Rota in the dark, we the more cold hardy species. were making progress. After missing our turn out where we Day 2 Monday December 5th – After were supposed to park, we continued to spending the night in the non-descript drive up the mountain until it became town of Ubrique, we departed our clear on our trail map that we had missed hotel early and arrived at the location our spot. We doubled back and found where we were fi nally going to receive the parking area where there was a gate our permit. As the young man had with a “Restricted Entry” sign. Once promised, it was completed and we inside, we found ourselves on a narrow headed towards the town of Grazalema. trail where we would immediately start

Vol. 29 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 19 the top of the tree-less mountain with only alpine plants at our feet. Here one could virtually experience a 360 degree panorama of these marvelous mountains – not a cloud in the sky. As we started our descent on the eastern side, the wind picked up and it became noticeably colder. We would continue for another thirty minutes, mostly remaining on the edge of the tree line. Then magically on the northern slope of this massive mountain was a distant grove of mature Pinsapos. As we got closer, we began to notice the subtle color variations ranging from rich green Trail leading to Pinsapos to silvery grey, to light yellow---nature’s our ascent. coloring box. These trees appeared healthy The good news was that there was with a Christmas tree form, and I would only one trail, but absolutely no signs. estimate there were several hundred in After about a 1/2 hour walk, we came to a series of fi res which were deliberately set as workers thinned stands of Pinus pinaster. Seeing that these posed no imminent danger, we climbed over and

Abies pinsapo on north slope this grove. It became obvious that, unlike the three species of pines we encountered which occurred in scattered locations, Abies pinsapo is very site-specifi c (north slope, Workers clearing Pinus pinaster high precipitation and cool nights). around fallen trees and continued on. The While the soil here is limestone based, workers appeared surprised to see two I am told that the tree does equally people in this remote area. I mentioned well in more acidic conditions. At the Pinsapos and they pointed up the tree-line we saw several dwarf forms, mountain, which meant we were getting but this was likely an artifact of where closer. Finally after about two hours we they were growing, which caused them could see the tree-line, but no Pinsapos to be stunted as opposed to candidates in sight. Next we found ourselves on for cuttings.

20 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 29 No. 3 About the Region: Designated a UNESCO Biosphere reserve in 1977, the Sierra de Grazalema was declared the fi rst natural park in Andalusia in 1984 and is one of Spain’s most ecologically outstanding areas. The region is well- known for being the rainiest place in Spain, with an annual rainfall of around 87 inches (2,200mm). Dotted around the area are attractive pueblos blancos (white villages), the Evelyn looking at Abies pinsapo above the ones in the most dramatic setting being tree line. Grazalema, which nestles between the Now it was time to say adios to two rugged peaks of Pico del Reloj and these ancient trees. We were all alone up the Pico de San Cristóbal, Arcos de la here with the luxury of having all this Frontera and Ronda, the birthplace of grandeur to ourselves. I could tell that bullfi ghting. The combination of high Evelyn was glad she made the trip. seasonal rainfall and mainly limestone Looking back some 20 years ago rock creates an amazing landscape and when we were just starting the arboretum, an area well worth visiting. I naively ordered a Spanish fi r from a While the region would not be west coast nursery. As I recall, it was in considered prosperous, the people are a 15 gallon container and was expensive. friendly, and the small white villages are My rationale was that since Spain was a a picture postcard. It is not at all touristy, warm country, it would adapt well here and English is not common. We managed in Georgia. It lasted about as long as a to get by, and the locals appreciate any popsicle lying on our driveway in July. attempt to speak their language. Now seeing where these grow offers some clue as to why. We currently have About Abies pinsapo: Spanish fi r several small A. pinsapo cultivars which (Abies pinsapo var. pinsapo) is only are grafted onto Abies nordmanniana found in three rather small forests in rootstock. These have survived for four southwest Spain. This species once years and have shown good vigor. covered large areas of southern Spain, but over the centuries has slowly receded into its current habitat. There also is a variety which occurs in the Rif Mountains of Morocco named A. pinsapo var. marocana. Both varieties can grow in different soils, but require the coolness and precipitation of northerly facing slopes at high altitude, which strictly limits any natural expansion. A. pinsapo is distinct among fi rs in that its needles are arranged radially – never in Juniperus oxycedrus two-rows. Only A. numidica (Algerian

Vol. 29 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 21 fi r) have similar needle set. The two variegated one. From Cazorla we traveled most common cultivars one is likely to to Cordoba, Medina al-zahara, Olivera, and then to Grazalema where we settled in for a encounter are ‘Aurea’ and ‘Glauca’. In brief stay. We were unable to get tickets to areas such as Oregon where they can make the hike up to the Pinsapos, but drove thrive, these selections are as about the road to the top of the pass and viewed as good as it gets. Occasionally, one them from a distance. We also searched for the grove of old Pinsapos near Rhoda. encounters dwarf selections such as Finally, we drove down to Estapona on ‘Horstman’, ‘Turek’ and ‘Fatima’ -- all the Costa del Sol and stayed there our last are “stand-out” plants. few days. We knew of the 3 sites for Abies pinsapo, and still wanted to get closer. From Footnote: town we could see a reddish mountain and After returning, I received the following it had evergreen trees at the top. It also had e-mail from long time ACS member Don a microwave station with a road leading up Howse, who in my opinion is one of our to the top, so we decided to go exploring. real conifer experts in the Society. With his permission, I include it in this article as I We found ourselves at the top of Sierra believe his recounting of his experience in Reales, (Mountain of the Royals), a volcanic the region will be of interest to you. mountain (among limestone mountains), hence the reddish color. At a rest stop along Your photos of the Pinsapos near Grazalema the road, at an elevation of about 4,500’, we provided fond memories for me. In the fall found a memorial to the famous European of 2001 after our trip to Northern Pakistan Botanist Edmund Bossier, and trails leading had been cut short, due to 9/11, our band up to the top of the peak. Not far up the trail of 5 intrepid plant enthusiasts (Robert and we found ourselves in an old growth Abies Rochelle Watch from Australia, Panyotti pinsapo forest. There were not permits needed Kelaidis and Dan Johnson from Denver to hike, nor any barricades. The top of the Botanic Garden, and myself) decided to try mountain was totally accessible and amazing, to go somewhere else to visit, and collect with old, broad, spreading trees. They were plant seeds. We chose Andulusia for the fi nal affected by the marine wind currents coming 2 weeks of our planned time away. We landed from the Strait of Gibraltar and the Atlantic. in Malaga and rented a 7-passenger van. They were very old trees with massive Then took off for points unknown throughout trunks. From the top we could look down the province. First we stayed in Casabermeja onto the Rock of Gibraltar and the strait, and and explored the surrounding coastal area. even see the coast of Africa in the distance. We then went to Sierra Nevada and found a It was a most memorable experience for me. resort hotel along the road up the mountain, On the way down the mountain we found not far from Grenada and the Alhambra. Of a marker (La Paz de Pinsapos) leading to a course, we enjoyed those historic sites. We trail head. The trail went up a ravine on the did spend time hiking up the trails near the north side of the peak, which was full of old top of Sierra Nevada. Not many conifers Abies pinsapo trees which were very tall and up there, but lots of interesting cushion statuesque, quite different from those at the perennial plants. I did fi nd a large patch of summit. It was interesting to note that there prostrate Juniperus communis which was were not cones anywhere to be seen in either yellow/gold in color on the upper slopes. The location. I am sure they had been collected by Pinsapos and other conifers were of course all crews, probably to gather seed for planting planted in neat rows on the lower slopes. We forests elsewhere in Spain, or to sell to seed then moved on to the town of Baeza, where purveyors elsewhere. We searched high and we stayed for a few days. We explored the low for a cone or any seed, but could not fi nd various mountain areas surrounding Baeza, any, to my disappointment. including the Sierra Magina. We then moved References: to the resort town of Cazorla. From there we http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andalusia had access to Sierra Cazorla National Park. In the park we found several witch’s broom http://www.andalucia.com/environment/ in the Pinus nigra trees, and I also found a protect/grazalema.htm

22 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 29 No. 3

Conifers Around the World Conifers of the Temperate Zones and Adjacent Regions Zsolt Debreczy and István Rácz

Conifers Around the World (CAW) presents temperate conifers by geographical region, offering an account of their natural distribution showing their characters as they appear in natural habitats.

CAW 's two hardcover volumes (9 × 12") offer the reader over 3700 color photographs in 1089 pages, including: • An in-depth, richly illustrated introduction to conifer conservation, classification, morphology, climate, and distribution • A 44-page chapter on the 7 conifer families and 56 genera discussed in the book, including 1300 detail drawings and 6 pages of illustrations depicting pollen cones from each genus • The species plates covering 450 species/541 taxa, arranged geographically into 11 regions • 175 habitat photographs showing the most representative and picturesque conifer habitats on six continents • 474 distribution maps showing the natural range of each taxon • A Bark Gallery with 646 color photographs taken in habitat

Here’s what they’re saying: “Having had the honor to review almost all recent books, I must say that this is my new ‘go to’ source. It is rare for me to receive a publication that lives up to its billing but Conifers Around The World exceeded all expectations.” Tom Cox, former president, American Conifer Society. See Tom’s review of CAW in the Spring 2012 issue of the Conifer Quarterly.

Purchase supports the Dendrological Atlas Project and the Dendrological Documentation Project. US sales of this publication support the International Dendrological Research Institute, Inc., a Massachusetts-based nonprofit organization; global sales support the International Dendrological Foundation, Hungary. Both organizations provide funding to produce the botanical illustrations for the proposed Dendrological Atlas Vol. 1–4. http://conifersaroundtheworld.com/ http://www.interdendro.org/ http://www.dendrologia.eu/

PRICE: $250 (purchase is not tax-deductible) + $17 shipping within the US / $40 to Canada & Mexico 15% discount to American Conifer Society members To order by credit card (PayPal), go to www.interdendro.org. American Conifer Society members use coupon code ACSMEMBER for 15% discount ($212.50 +shipping). Please note “ACS/CQ” with order. OR send check (US customers only) made out to IDRI for $229.50 to IDRI, P.O. Box 812910, Wellesley, MA 02482. Please include your name and shipping address. For more than one copy, please inquire to [email protected]. Canada/Mexico customers: credit card orders only.

Vol. 29 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 23 Reprinted by courtesy of the British Conifer Society Journal A Workshop on Conifers in China and a Visit to the Mountain Tianmu Shan by Aljos Farjon & Daniel Luscombe

n December 2010 we went to China mountain, where we saw, among other I for a workshop on the conservation species, Pseudolarix amabilis and, of conifers in China and neighbouring though not a conifer taxonomically, what countries. This workshop, which lasted may be the only wild trees in the world a week, was planned by Aljos as the of Ginkgo biloba. Chair of IUCN’s Conifer Specialist Group (CSG) and generously hosted The workshop by the Fairy Lake Botanical Garden, in The International Union for Shenzhen, Guangdong Province. Prior the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to the meeting, an excursion was made compiles and maintains the IUCN Red to the mountain Tianmu Shan, near the List of Threatened Species™, which is city of Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province. updated annually [1]. This list contains Aljos explains something about the all conifers, with their conservation workshop and its aims fi rst, but then status as defi ned by IUCN categories we concentrate on our excursion to the and criteria, and assessed by the Conifer

Dan Luscombe (far) and Keith Rushforth (near) inspect a non-planted ginkgo tree

24 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 29 No. 3 Specialist Group (CSG), a sub-committee ‘Extinct’. I am happy to report that no within the IUCN’s Species Survival conifer is at present considered extinct, Committee (SSC). The current 2010.4 although one, Thuja sutchuenensis from version of the Red List contains the status central China, was considered ‘extinct of conifers as assessed in 1998, with a in the wild’ in 1998, but has since been small proportion (10%) of later dates. found again (see the article in Journal 13 Every 10 years or so a reassessment is [2]), and quite a few are ‘Least Concern’. required, and this task is now being The three categories of threat are, undertaken. It is planned to be completed with increasing concern, ‘Vulnerable’, at the end of 2011. A ‘workshop in the ‘Endangered’ and ‘Critically Endangered’ region’ is one way in which IUCN-SSC and many of the taxa that we assessed tackles the issue of consultation, as with fell into one of these. By working in a bit of good organisation it is possible small groups from the second day, we to draw regional expertise together and made good progress. This was despite to resolve differences. We were very the unhappy circumstance that a bout lucky that our Chinese hosts were able of ‘fl u’ sent some participants to bed to take on all the logistics of bringing for a day or two, breaking the ranks together about 15 people from China, here and there. We ended the meeting Europe (the U.K.), Japan and New with a farewell dinner hosted by both Zealand, and to organise the excellent the outgoing and incoming Directors venue and even the excursion, by aircraft of Fairy Lake Botanical Garden and, and minibus, to that special mountain in on the fi nal morning before we fl ew Zhejiang. They took care of most of the back from Hong Kong (which is just expenses, too, and we are enormously across the water from Shenzhen), a grateful for their organisational skills traditional Chinese tea ceremony for and generous hospitality. Dr. Li Nan of the ‘westerners’ in the workshop, seated the Fairy Lake Botanical Garden, whom in a wooden-terraced building at the I knew from previous visits to China, Fairy Lake’s shore and sheltered from co-ordinated this very ably; we owe her the hustle and bustle of the boom city special thanks for a successful event. by steep, wooded mountainsides. The We were able to assess for the Red assessments have now been edited and List about 180 species, i.e. all species verifi ed for correct application of the of China, Japan, Korea and a few others criteria, the latter responsibility assumed from the eastern Himalaya and from New by Philip Thomas at the Royal Botanic Zealand (the latter because we had Glen Garden Edinburgh. An important task Carter, our member of the CSG from still ahead for the CSG is to compare Auckland Botanic Garden, participating). the two assessment periods and analyse The procedure is quite formal these the changes in the conservation status days, much more so than in 1998, with of conifers. Have more conifers moved a standard and detailed questionnaire into the categories of threat than before? to be fi lled in for each taxon (species, Are the changes genuine or are they the sub-species and varieties) following result of better information? Of course, a set of criteria for the conservation there are all the other 400-plus species status, ranging from ‘Least Concern’ to to assess, many of which have already

Vol. 29 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 25 been done since the workshop. Perhaps range lies at the northern limit of the there will be an opportunity to report subtropical climate zone, with marked on the fi nal results in a later issue of differences in fl ora between the lower this journal. and higher elevations. The forest on the mountain comprises mainly deciduous Tianmu Shan broadleaves (angiosperms, or fl owering Along with a small party of plants) with a scattering of conifers (when workshop participants who had arrived not introduced or planted), one of which, in Shenzhen on the evening of 7th Pseudolarix amabilis, is also deciduous, December, we fl ew the following day to as well as the ginkgo. It being December, Hangzhou, a city in Zhejiang Province, we were too late to see the spectacular eastern China. At the airport we were yellow autumn foliage displayed by met by Dr. Zhang Deshun (Shanghai these two gymnosperms, and both Chensan Botanic Gardens) who had trees turned out to be completely bare. arranged our excursion to the mountain, A short walk up a road (30° 19’ N as well as some other visits such as to 119° 26’ E, altitude circa 400m) in the the botanic gardens of Hangzhou and evening, before dark, took us into forest West Lake, both with interesting trees. dominated by planted Cryptomeria On the ninth, we travelled by minibus japonica, interspersed with native to our main destination, about 83km trees and patches of giant bamboo west of the city, arriving in the early (Phyllostachys pubescens). Among the evening at a guesthouse near the ancient native conifers on these lower slopes Chanyuan temple, built during the Ming of the mountain, we spotted Fokienia Dynasty around 1425, at the base of the hodginsii (only saplings and small trees), mountain. This temple is famous for Pseudotsuga sinensis (possibly var. its large planted ginkgo trees, but its gaussenii) and Torreya grandis. There premises were closed during our visit. was also a fairly large ginkgo (Ginkgo Tianmu Shan in Chinese, or “Eyes biloba) growing from a steep rockside on Heaven Mountain”, is the fi nal along a periodically fl ooding stream. mountain (30° 21’ N 119° 25’ E) in a It is unlikely to have been planted in range of the same name that stretches such a spot, but could it be a natural west-south-west to east-north-east in seedling from one of the planted trees in north-western Zhejiang Province. It the temple? We noted that Cryptomeria has two summits, West Tianmu Peak regenerates spontaneously on steep road (Xianren, 1,506m) and East Tianmu Peak banks. Some of their parent trees were (Daxian, 1,480m). The north-western large, with a diameter at breast height part of the mountain is a UNESCO [3] (dbh) in excess of three metres, and were Biosphere Reserve known as the Tianmu probably planted in the 17th century. Mountain National Nature Reserve. The When these trees die (some were already “eyes on heaven” refer to permanent dead snags) and no further planting is ponds near the two summits. The rock done, will future researchers recognise is igneous and metamorphic and, while the provenance of their descendants, the mountain slopes are well forested, which will , by then, be large, apparently precipitous cliffs expose the acidic “natural” or “wild” trees? bedrock in several places. This mountain The following morning, 10th

26 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 29 No. 3 December, a minibus took us around the mountain and up the other side to West Tianmu Peak and the Tianmu Mountain National Nature Reserve (30° 21’ N 119° 26’ E, where the average altitude is 1,100m). There is a well-maintained network of stone paths and steps, evidently built many years ago, and here and there a shelter or pavilion where walkers can rest. Again, the dominant trees were Cryptomeria japonica (especially along the paths), some of which were even larger than those we had seen lower on the mountain. The biggest in circumference, marked by a Chinese sign as the “Giant Tree King”, is now a mere barkless stump, its bark stripped by generations of pilgrims who believed that it was a cure for leukemia; people can easily love a tree to death. Of more interest to us were the native trees, and especially the conifers and ginkgo. A pine that we encountered in the early part of the walk was pointed out to us by our guide, Dr. Yunpeng Zhao of Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, as Pinus taiwanensis. Here, barely 200m into the nature reserve, we encountered one of the differences that can sometimes arise between specialists in the taxonomic treatment of closely related taxa. In the Flora of China [4], the Chinese authors include a pine on the mainland within the taxon P. taiwanensis, whilst Robert Mill, the co-author of the section on the family Pinaceae in the Flora, added a footnote to the effect that this species would be better considered endemic in Taiwan, while the mainland pine should be named Pinus hwangshanensis. The morphological distinctions are small, being mainly in the prickles (or their The tessellated bark on this large absence) on the seed cone scales. Aljos specimen of Pseudolarix amabilis is Farjon concurs with Robert Mill and so, not yet seen in cultivation according to his books [5,6], the pine

Vol. 29 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 27 we now saw was P. hwangshanensis, not tessellated like this; perhaps they are not P. taiwanensis. We did not dwell on still young trees in comparison. this issue long, however, but moved on We were assured that the tallest tree down the main path in search of more of this species measured here was 76m exciting conifers. high, but it was diffi cult for us to verify Not much further on, we saw the by eye because that particular tree grows fi rst large trees of Pseudolarix amabilis. on a very steep slope and our vantage As mentioned, they were totally bare point was a platform from which we of leaves and we saw no cones on the could not see its base. Nevertheless, trees, only a few scales on the ground in excess of 60m was certainly a good below them. The fi rst thing that was estimate for the height of more than striking was how tall and straight they one tree in this area, so it was entirely are here. In cultivation in Europe and plausible. Their crowns were often the U.S.A., this tree is uncommon, rather small or narrow, or one-sided although not really rare, and large trees due to competition from nearby trees. are few. Even the largest are not nearly Pseudolarix is a monotypic genus (there the size of these trees, and certainly not is only a single species) in the Pinaceae, as tall and straight. The second surprise which, despite its name, is now known was the tessellated bark. Even the not to be closely related to Larix, even thickest trees at the Arnold Arboretum though it shares its characteristics of short in Massachusetts, U.S.A., at about 80cm shoots and deciduous leaves (needles). dbh, have a grooved and plated bark, but Unlike Larix, its cones disintegrate

Dan Luscombe looking at Cephalotaxus fortunei foliage

28 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 29 No. 3 when ripening, although they may stay veneris (Maidenhair fern), rare in on the tree for some time, as we saw Britain but common in southern Europe. later on some planted trees on another The wood of the tree, however, mountain. Their structure more closely is conifer-like in that it has secondary resembles the cones of Keteleeria, concentric growths of layers of tracheids another conifer genus found in China. producing continuous wood, not just Pseudolarix is known from the fossil irregular strands as in some tree ferns and record in Europe and North America and especially cycads. With cycads, however, once, in the Eocene, had a very wide it shares the peculiar motile sperm that distribution reaching to the far north of swims with the aid of microscopic hairs, the Arctic Circle. The Eocene (56-34 which reminds us of a fern-like ancestry. million years ago) was so mild that there A true oddity of evolutionary survival, were no polar icecaps. With the cooling then, which is unique in the classifi cation of the global climate, the genus retreated of present-day plants. Of course, if we from northern latitudes, eventually were living 150 million years ago it became extinct in North America, Europe would fi t quite nicely within the scheme and most of Asia, and only survived in of living things, as shown in the fossil China. There it is now also rare in the record. As it is, we know fossils from wild, although we saw these trees planted the Jurassic so similar to our Chinese in a forestry context later. As with several ginkgo that they could have belonged other conifers in China, it is uncertain in to the same species. There were then a how many places it still occurs naturally, few more around, but not many. It was a without having been introduced or re- concept that worked and needed no major introduced by the holy men of Buddhism adaptive changes. Or was it, in the end, or Taoism. This mountain, Tianmu Shan, so conservative that it had no options left is the undisputed site of a truly wild for change? It surely went the same way population, and we were excited to see it as Pseudolarix, or perhaps even further in good health, including seedlings and and into extinction in the wild. Or did it? saplings under the giant trees. That is the next question that confronted Also present here is Ginkgo biloba. us on this mountain, Tianmu Shan. We treat this famous tree here as an Are the ginkgo trees we saw here ‘honorary conifer’ because it is such a the last of their kind ‘in the wild’ or ‘lonely’ gymnosperm that it needs to be were they introduced long ago by the adopted sometimes. Unlike the conifers, monks of the monastery and temple at it arose from an ancestor among the the foot of the mountain? How could we ‘pteridosperms’ or ‘seed ferns’, an extinct fi nd out? It did not take us long to fi nd assembly of not necessarily related large ginkgo trees in situations where gymnosperms with leaves similar to ferns it appeared unlikely that someone had but with seeds attached to them rather planted them. Growing out of crevices in than spores. Probably the Peltaspermales, sheer rock faces, perched on cliff edges an order of these, contained the ancestor or shooting up from jumbles of massive of the ginkgo. Indeed, the leaves of boulders in stream gullies, these were not Ginkgo biloba are similar, in shape places where anyone would plant a tree at least, to the leafl ets of the fronds of unless the intention was to deceive future the small rock fern Adiantum capillus- scientists, a notion that surely could not

Vol. 29 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 29 have occurred to the Buddhist monks of anyone ever planted a tree, even in China. centuries ago. Perhaps some trees along With the right sequence data, we could the path were planted, then. This could even use the ‘molecular clock’ technique be the case, but if we accept those on the to estimate when this was happening. cliffs as spontaneous, then those along The jury is, therefore, still out until the the path could be, too, so we were soon results of these studies are published. convinced that there are large ginkgo There is no question that Tianmu trees here that arose spontaneously from Shan is most famous for its ginkgos seeds dropped by animals. (and now its Pseudolarix), but it was So far, so good, but animals can impossible not to notice some of carry seeds up a mountain from trees the other conifers, and, dare we say, that were planted below. The Chanyuan also some of the broadleaved trees. It temple dates from 1425 and it has planted was surprising to see so many mature ginkgo trees that are probably as old. The specimens of trees in such an accessible ginkgos we saw on the mountain were area in eastern China; this is probably quite old, but perhaps not older, and due to its status as a sacred site. As with there may have been ginkgos planted the ginkgos and Pseudolarix, most of the at an earlier time that have now gone. leaves of the broadleaves had fallen, but So, we have spontaneous regeneration a few still hung on, helping with their of ginkgos, but their source may still be identifi cation. As we entered the park planted trees. In the evening, some of we came across a few smallish Pinus us discussed this further. One remark in hwangshanensis but these were quickly defence of the concept of the ginkgo as a overlooked in favour of the massive wild tree here was that the monks at the trees of Cryptomeria japonica; even temple must have obtained their seeds though these were cultivated trees, one from somewhere, and ultimately from could not help but be blown away by wild trees. This mountain seems as good their size. The only other conifers we a candidate as any, with Pseudolarix saw were stunted Cephalotaxus fortunei and other conifers present as well as an and Torreya grandis; both of these extremely rich arboreal fl ora generally. understorey ‘shrubs’ were scattered DNA analysis may give the answer, throughout the forest. None of them was and indeed research into the question what could be called a good specimen, using DNA sequences has started. By and it was not until we got right to the sampling many trees on the mountain end of our walk that we came across and comparing certain rapidly evolving a few massive Torrreya grandis over bits of DNA, it should be possible to 20m tall, with twisting bark like that of detect provenance. If this is narrowly sweet chestnut. defi ned, pointing to one or a few parent One of the trees that we were all trees, cultivated ancestry of the ‘wild’ hoping to see was Emmenopterys henryi. trees on Tianmu Shan is more likely. If This rare tree of central and south-eastern there is greater diversity, at least as much China was introduced into cultivation in as among cultivated trees in China, 1907 by Ernest Wilson, who described it Korea and Japan, or even greater, we as “one of the most strikingly beautiful must conclude that the population on the trees of the Chinese forests”. It took mountain evolved long ago, well before 80 years to fl ower in cultivation: the

30 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 29 No. 3 fi rst fl owers being noticed in 1987 at References Wakehurst Place, just prior to the great [1] www.iucnredlist.org storm. Unfortunately, due to the time [2] Reynolds, C. and Luscombe, D. of year, we were greeted by a leafl ess 2009. Diary of a Visit to China and tree! Some of the other plants of interest Vietnam in 2008. British Conifer were Castanea henryi, Pterostyrax Society Journal 13: pp. 41-52 corymbosus, Daphniphyllum [3] United Nations Educational, macropodum, Litsea auriculata, Acer Scientifi c and Cultural Organisation, pubipalmatum, Acer mono, Nyssa sinensis, www.unesco.org Cyclocarya paliurus, Cyclobalanopsis [4] Wu, Z.Y. and Raven P. H., eds. 1999. myrsinifolia, Liquidambar acalycina Flora of China. Vol. 4 (Cycadaceae and Liquidambar formosana to name but through Fagaceae). Science Press, a few. We had a fantastic time walking, Beijing, and Missouri Botanical botanising and admiring the stunning Garden Press, St. Louis. scenery of Tianmu Shan, and cannot [5] Farjon, A. 2001. World Checklist thank our gracious hosts enough for and Bibliography of Conifers. Royal laying on such a truly great fi eld trip. Botanic Gardens, Kew, London. None of us can wait to return, next time [6] Farjon, A. 2005. Pines: Drawings maybe to see the autumn colours of the and Descriptions of the Genus Pinus. ginkgos and Pseudolarix, mixed in with Brill, Leiden. those of Acer.

Vol. 29 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 31 Hoyt Arboretum Text and photos by Martin Nicholson

Araucaria araucana

32 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 29 No. 3 oyt Arboretum is Portland Parks Forest Service, Sinclair Wilson and E. S. H and Recreation’s Global Garden in Collins representing the timber industry, the wild. Founded in 1928 to conserve and C. P. Kayser, Superintendent of endangered species and to educate Portland Parks. Their enthusiasm for the community, Hoyt Arboretum the project came partly from knowledge encompasses 187 ridge-top acres, of the timber industry and forestry accessible by trails covering 12 miles. practices. But they were also bringing to A place of beauty and serenity in all fruition the idea of an arboretum in the seasons, the Arboretum is easily reachable area west of Washington Park, an idea from anywhere in the metropolitan fi rst proposed as part of the Olmstead area, by car, bus or the MAX light Brothers’ recommendation for Portland rail. Hoyt Arboretum is supported by Parks in 1903. A plan for development a partnership between Portland Parks of the Arboretum was drawn up in 1930, and Recreation and Hoyt Arboretum and the fi rst trees were planted in 1931. Friends, a membership-based, nonprofi t Planning continued over the next several organization working to enhance the decades, with particular care being given Arboretum’s mission since 1986. to the range of conifers.

Larix kaempferi

Hoyt Arboretum was dedicated in The master plan created in 1930 March of 1928, as a result of efforts by a by John Duncan was fulfi lled by 1954, group of Portland civic leaders - foremost and many years of ongoing maintenance among them Thornton Munger of the U.S. and care were required to protect the

Vol. 29 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 33 Sequoia sempervirens

34 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 29 No. 3 fi rst round of planting. The Columbus are among the rare species to be found Day storm damaged many native areas along with our signature Metasequoia of trees on the Arboretum’s south face. glyptostroboides, which was the fi rst of This area had not been developed into the trees received from the 1947 seed part of the Arboretum at that time and, collection trip to set cones. This made after the storm, much of the soil was lost this tree the fi rst dawn redwood in about or compacted, which limited planting. 35 million years to set cones in North In 1986, the Hoyt Arboretum Friends America. Many other treasures of the Foundation was formed to provide conifer world are to be found in one of additional support. Operation of the the most naturalistic settings encountered Arboretum is now a successful public/ in American arboreta. The conifer private partnership between HAFF and collection continues to grow with new Portland Parks and Recreation. Although spruce and fi r species being added from the Arboretum is offi cially a park within around the globe, along with additional the City of Portland, it acts as a regional North American conifer species. Hoyt resource and serves people from a large Arboretum is very proud of its inclusion surrounding area. More than 350,000 as a Conifer Reference Garden by the people visit each year, including visitors American Conifer Society. from all 50 states and many foreign For more information on Hoyt countries. The advent of light rail, Arboretum, visit us on the web at which brings visitors to the Arboretum’s www.hoytarboretum.org or stop by our southern edge, has boosted visitation, as Visitors Center. On the web, you can has the increased density of surrounding keep tabs on upcoming events, classes neighborhoods. and improvements at the Arboretum. The The current collection represents Visitors Center is open Monday through over 1,100 species plus 400 cultivars of Saturday and provides maps, access to a woody plants from all over the globe. range of plant information, a gift shop Hoyt Arboretum is a member of the two and much more. multisided national plant collections, maples and magnolias. Hoyt Arboretum houses an extensive conifer collection with many mature specimens which are unmatched at other gardens nationally. 237 species of conifers fi nd their home at Hoyt Arboretum with many endangered species. Torreya taxifolia, Cupressus dupressiana and Picea breweriana Picea chihuahuana

Vol. 29 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 35 Conifer Country: A natural history and hiking guide to 35 Conifers of the Klamath Mountain region. by Michael Kauffmann Back Country Press 205 pages

his is no ordinary book about process, the reader joins Michael T conifers. Rather, it is the tale of a Kauffmann in search of breathtaking voyager whose personal journey took vistas described by some of the most him into the far reaches of the Klamath beautiful, image-laden language this Mountain range of northwest California reviewer has ever read. and southwest Oregon to present the In visionary literature the mountain conifers of the region for admiration, represents the Self, the fully individuated study and conservation. Through this hero who can conquer the ills of the soul

36 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 29 No. 3 and the world. Through Michael’s words the wilderness, either for Big Foot or it becomes clear that his discovery of the for a coniferous wonderland. When he a priori 35 conifers in the Klamath and returned on one day to Humboldt Bay, he its tributary mountain ranges is really stated that he had become a changed man, a tale of how Michael’s surroundings “a new-growth naturalist [who] would discovered him. The author admonishes be cultivated”. Time and again in the that the many paths and hikes into book, there is an unmistakable mystical the mountains demand both a certain aura about the images Michael’s words environmental awareness and physical paint. It would not be so had Michael strength. But the rewards are incredible Kauffmann not himself experienced as Michael describes them. He was an individuation process. He is a natural educated by the conifers so that he could history guide seen through the eyes “speak for the trees”. of trees. From the time of his youth to his Michael writes of the three families present adulthood he longed to search of trees in the Klamath: Pinaceae,

Cupressus nootkatensis

Vol. 29 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 37 Cupresseceae and Taxaceae. He writes This book combines the of 31 to 38 species of conifers and 13 climatological with the geophysical genera. He comes face to face with profi le of the conifers highlighted. Quite Pseudotsuga, Abies, Picea, Tsuga, fascinating is the author description Pinus, Sequoia, Calocedrus, Thuja, of “hyper-droop witch’s brooms” as Juniperus, Cupressus and Taxus on 29 “massive conglomerations of branches hikes to different valleys and peaks of and needles often in a spherical shape”. the Klamath. The reader is admonished In addition, he includes photos of the to: “Enjoy what you see. … [C]onifers conifers along with close-ups of the are a lens for comprehending the real- foliage of each tree in 18 color Plates. world example of extended survival Conifer Country reads in a across a dynamic landscape.” captivating way and certainly not at all like a travel-log. That’s how well-written it is. Added to that facet is the fact that the reader is given excellent information about select conifers and their surroundings. Compared to the other standard works on conifers authored most recently by Bittner, Eckenwalder, Farjon, Debreczy and Racz, Kauffmann’s book provides a personal insight, “a personal epiphany” if you will, and a fl avor which are unique. Thus, the reader receives a triple bonus. In addition to the autobiographical and taxonomic information, the maps and conifer- ranges offer an exact lay

Picea breweriana

38 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 29 No. 3 of the land for the future traveler. This reviewer found the regions and different trails with their conifer counts along with Next Issue: the elevation charts and levels of hiking FALL 2012 diffi culty extremely necessary and Our next issue will feature: informative. The author also provides a Conifers and the Holidays glossary of terms from the simplest to the most specialized. Conifers are an amazement over I will defi nitely add this artistic which we and nature share stew- reference book to my library and I ardship. They are such unique recommend that all conifer-lovers plants that surprise all who do the same. Although Michael calls stop by to sojourn. The themes himself a tree discoverer in his spare proposed are meant to inspire time, his dedication and knowledge and to inquire.Whether you are belie that humble self-description. I a novice, an explorer or a con- would strongly urge you to purchase noisseur and you have a story to Michael Kauffmann’s work. It is a most tell – a favorite conifer, pictures, worthwhile treatise. plant care, problem solutions, a new hybrid or cultivar, we want Note: Michael is offering a 10% discount to hear from you.We welcome to ACS members if the book is ordered any interpretation or addition to by August 31, 2012. the main themes we offer. See http:/backcountrypress.com/store/ ACS-10 Future Issue Themes: Please look at future themes and consider Ronald J. Elardo, Ph.D. sending your articles in advance of published deadlines.

Hearing from ACS Members on Future Themes for the CQ (Winter 2013)

The Science of Conifers (Spring 2013)

We at Conifer Quarterly welcome news alerts about conifers or about our members.

Contact Dr. Ronald J. Elardo ([email protected]) to discuss your ideaS

Vol. 29 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 39 Our Dream Text and Photos by Dave and Sharon Helmlinger

e would like to share our Conifer frequently, we would take time to visit the W collection years with your readers. nurseries there. Many weeks we would We live in Logan County, Ohio, near the return home with a forest of young trees Indian Lake area, where we purchased in our cab. a place along a lane with a small home Dave said we needed landscaping. and some out buildings. There were Well, I guess we took care of that two old Mulberry trees, an old oak and because over the years we ended up some scattered bushes on 11.2 acres. with lots of beautiful conifers. He fell With farmland around us, the wind could in love with fi r, Alaskan cedar, juniper, be very strong. We decided to put in a larch and hemlock. At this time we have windbreak. approximately 80 species of conifers, I thought a few trees on the side of plus many hybrids, varieties and our home would be nice, but we ended cultivars. Dave loves to care for them up with Colorado spruce and white pine and to keep them healthy. The fi r have from the road all the way up the lane and done surprisingly well here in Ohio. back to the end of the property. This is when Dave got the conifer addiction. Since we were truck drivers and had a route which took us to Oregon

Picea retrofl exa (Tapao Shan spruce) But he didn’t stop there. He found deciduous and ornamental trees. He loves Picea orientalis ‘Skylands’ oaks. We have 26 species. The Emperor

40 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 29 No. 3 Juniperus x media ‘Saybrook Gold’

Picea abies ‘Pendula’

oak with its huge leaves is fascinating. tri-color beech behind. Also, we have many other ornamental About this time, instead of complaining trees, grasses, shrubs and bushes. about everything, I got involved. Lilacs, Did I mention we put in a ½ acre pond? Seven Sons Flower trees. The edibles: It needed landscaping too, so we planted nut trees, paw paw, persimmon, apple, some lovely fl owers, grasses, willows young peach trees and a cherry, all the and junipers around the pond. The Koi fruit of which the birds seem to eat in are fun to watch, and the bluegill are one day. good to eat. Although if you swim with We enjoyed our times in Oregon and a suit that has a fl ower pattern, they will met many wonderful people. We learned nip at you. about the American Conifer Society from Next were the fl ower beds and rock some of the members and founders there. gardens. Oh, I forgot the waterfall Sometimes they would give us one of the mound with its conifer plantings and the small trees they had just propagated or

Vol. 29 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 41 discovered. One of our special ones is Abies koreana ‘Silberlocke’, which was given to us by Mr. Richard Bush. When we are asked about our favorite tree, it is just too hard to answer. We enjoy walking through the trees with our dog and the friendly peacock which follows us, along with the stray cat which has adopted our home. There is a saying that all good things must come to an end. In our case it is because of health issues. We must leave this place and move closer to family. This was to be our life of retirement, our dream for the future. We had even made arrangements to build our new home this summer. If there is anyone wanting to fi nd a place like this, we will be happy to show you around and give you the “tour”. You may contact Picea omorika ‘Pendula Bruns’ in front, us at 937-843-4124. Picea omorika ‘Pendula’ in rear’

Pinus abies ‘Procumbens’

42 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 29 No. 3 Pinus aristata

Picea abies ‘Acrocona’

Vol. 29 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 43 AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

CENTRAL REGION REPORT

NATIONAL SUMMER MEETING, JULY 12, 2012, ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN

Offi cers: Chris Daeger – President, term ends summer 2012 * Jim Kelley - V P * Steve Courtney – Treasurer and National Director Kim Downs – Secretary

* Election Results: As of this report, there have been elections, in which the above offi cers’ names will offi cially change at the national meeting after being ratifi ed by the attending membership. Jim Kelley has been elected President, and Gary Whittenbaugh is now the CR Vice President. Steve Courtney and Kim Downs were re-elected to their current positions. All will serve a term of two years.

Another portion of this year’s election process resulted in the forming of a new Advisory Committee or Council for the Central Region. These people will assist or advise the aforementioned offi cers with the business and projects of the CR. John Gardner narrowly defeated John Amdall in the election as the Chairman. Gary Whittenbaugh, Jay Park, Ed Hasselkus and Byron Baxter each received votes to serve on this board.

Congratulations to all who have been elected. I encourage the remaining members of the CR personally to acknowledge and thank these fellow members when your paths cross in the future.

New Conifer Reference Gardens

Two new CRG’s have been added to the CR list: The Bickelhaupt Arboretum of Clinton, Iowa and the Powell Gardens of Kingsville, Missouri. They have met all the requirements of being so named, and in the near future we will be getting a taste of their collections through Conifer Quarterly articles and pictures. Please take the time to visit these gardens as they both have very nice collections of conifers (and other things too) for you to drool over. These gardens bring the total to four CRG’s in the CR. We welcome other non-profi t gardens to apply for this prestigious award.

44 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 29 No. 3 Notes about future meetings

Of course, the National Meeting is set for the CR site in Michigan this summer and, as of June 20, 2012 there are a record number of registrations already made. It promises to be one great meeting.

2013 is still set for the Rockford – Northwest Chicago area in Illinois. Susan and Rich Eyre are the committee chairpersons for this event. Details will probably surface in the coming days or months.

2014 CR summer meeting location has not been selected yet. The new offi cers and Board will begin work on selecting a site. CR members are encouraged to help pick an exciting, perhaps a never-been-visited location.

Treasurers Report – There is $26,287.62 in the account as of 5-31-2012.

Submitted by Chris Daeger, 6-20-2012

Want to learn more about conifers? Go to the ACSWeb site www.conifersociety.org

Vol. 29 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 45 Pinus balfouriana (Foxtail Pine) Trinity Alps

Pinus albicaulis (Whitebark Pine) Mount Eddy Photos by Michael Kauff mann

46 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 29 No. 3 Publication Dates

Deadline to Publication Date Issue Calendar Quarter submit articles (approx.mailing)

Winter Jan/Feb/Mar Nov 22 Jan 15 Spring Apr/May/Jun Feb 15 Apr 15 Summer Jul/Aug/Sept May 15 July 15 Fall Oct/Nov/Dec 31 Aug 15 Oct 15

Submit articles/photos to: Ron Elardo, Conifer Quarterly Editor • 5749 Hunter Ct., Adrian,MI 49221-2471 PH (517) 902-7230 • E-mail: [email protected]

Vol. 29 No. 3 CONIFER QUARTERLY 47 Directorate

National Offi cers President Ethan Johnson, Home:39005 Arcadia Circle, Willoughby, OH 44094 PH (440)721-1386, E-mail: [email protected] Work: The Holden Arboretum, 9500 Sperry Rd, Kirtland, OH 44094 PH (440) 602-3803, E-mail: [email protected] Vice President/Treasurer Larry Nau, 25 Knollwood Dr, Churchville, NY 14428 PH (585) 202-1815, E-mail: [email protected] Secretary Kathleen Pottratz, PO Box 292, Scott Mills, OR 97375 PH (503) 985-7561, E-mail: [email protected] Past President Ellen Kelley, 3445 Oakory Ln, Bettendorf, IA 52722 PH (563) 650-2212, E-mail: [email protected] Regional Directors Northeastern Region President Frank Goodhart, 27 Old Knoll Rd., Mendham, NJ PH (908) 879-4788, E-mail: [email protected] Director Suzanne Mahoney, 150 Elm St, Hanover, MA 02339 PH (781) 826-2915, E-mail: [email protected] Southeastern Region President Dr. Susan Hamilton, University of Tennessee, Room 252, Ellington Plant Sciences Bldg, 2431 Joe Johnson Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996 PH (865) 974-7324, E-mail: [email protected] Director Tom Neff, 4000 Lindsey Rd. NE, Marietta, GA 30067-4224 E-mail: [email protected] Central Region President Christopher Daeger, M. Rowe Arboretum, 4600 Muchmore Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45243 PH (513)561-5151, E-mail: [email protected] Director Steven Courtney, 2035 Friar Tuck Cir, Adrian, MI 49221 PH (517) 431-2060, E-mail: [email protected] Western Region President Joseph Carli, 20227 Canterwood Ct, Oregon City, OR 97045 E-mail: [email protected] Director Douglas D. Wilson, 1858 Michigan City LN NW, Salem OR 97304-9554, PH (530) 581-5880 Staff & Volunteers National Offi ce Manager John Martin, 175 Charisma Lane, Lewisville, NC 27023-9611 PH (336) 945-0483, FAX (336) 945-0484, E-mail: [email protected] ConiferQuarterly Editor Dr. Ronald J. Elardo, 5749 Hunter Ct, Adrian, MI 49221-2471 PH (517) 902-7230, E-mail: [email protected] Webmaster Bill Barger, 3200 Roher Rd, Wadsworth, OH 44281 PH (330) 336-9695, E-mail: [email protected] Collectors ConiferChairman Dennis Lee, PO Box 1332, Stow, OH 44224 PH (330) 688-4283, E-mail: [email protected] Seed Exchange Chairman Jim Brackman, Old Highway 410 SW, Olympia, WA 98512 PH (253) 736-5864, E-mail: [email protected] ConiferRegistrar Richard Larson, The Dawes Arboretum, 7770 Jacksontown Rd, Newark, OH 43056 PH (800) 443-2937, E-mail: [email protected]

48 CONIFER QUARTERLY Vol. 29 No. 3