MORRIS ARBORETUM what it is to be TIMELESS. LONGSTANDING. FISCALLY SOUND. These are the aims of Morris Arboretum’s Ever Green campaign: to sustain and grow the Arboretum as a premier public garden and as a center for botanical and horticultural research in Greater Philadelphia and beyond. Since first opening to the public in 1933, the Arboretum has made careful stewardship of its resources a priority in order to realize its vision to be a thriving public garden, educational resource, and cultural center as well as a leader in plant collec- tion, research, and promotion of environmental stewardship. Your gift–whether a modest amount or a major commitment– will help Morris Arboretum achieve its mission to promote understanding, conservation, and enjoyment of plants now and for years to come. MORRIS ARBORETUM IS A SOURCE OF RESEARCH AND RENEWAL THAT BENEFITS OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR WORLD. CHAPTER This particular katsura (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) I is one of the Arboretum’s most noteworthy trees and a Pennsylvania champion for this species. Planted by John Morris between 1901 and 1909, this is perhaps the largest specimen in CULTIVATING North America. In fact, Morris Arboretum is a living collection steward to a large number of the Commonwealth’s champion trees, the largest of their species. Native to eastern Asia, the katsura is well adapted to North America. Fossil GAZE UP AT THE AWE-INSPIRING KATSURA, evidence suggests it was and marvel that this magnificent tree–a signature tree of once indigenous to this the Arboretum–was planted here with purpose, for the region as well. The tree is known for its stunning fall enjoyment of generations past, present, and future. color and for the sweet scent its fallen leaves emit. The katsura is one of thousands of plants in the notable living collection, a vibrant museum of plants that is carefully researched, curated, managed, and sustained. The Arboretum continues to acquire and exchange seeds and plants to both preserve and expand its collection. Further, staff maintains a comprehensive online catalogue with records of the Arboretum plants, cuttings, and seedlots. Your gifts enable the Arboretum to enhance its living collection INSPIRE by protecting trees and plants, preserving history, and pursuing STEWARDSHIP new specimens for further study. 2 | EVER GREEN | CULTIVATING A LIVING COLLECTION | 3 Founder John Morris began collecting plants that today form the basis of the Morris Arboretum’s living collection. Over the years, the Arboretum has participated in collab- orative plant collection efforts in Asia and the U.S. to increase the diversity of plants available in urban environments. Today the collection includes plants from more than 34 countries. MORRIS ARBORETUM REMAINS A LEADER in the effort to preserve a living collection that can educate, inspire, and be sustained in an urban environment. 4 | EVER GREEN | CULTIVATING A LIVING COLLECTION | 5 CHAPTER II ENGAGING curious minds LOOK THROUGH THE TREETOPS FROM OUT ON A LIMB Opportunities to get close and watch birds fly from tree to tree. Enjoy the fresh air, to nature through the Garden Railway exhibit, the leafy canopy, and the stunning view from above. Here Out on a Limb, summer among the giant chestnut oaks (Quercus montana) and black camp, and enrichment tupelo trees (Nyssa sylvatica) people of all ages are invited programs are as significant to touch, feel, see, hear, and experience the environment. as conferences, seminars, and lectures that extend In this way, the Arboretum encourages an interest in trees the depth and breadth and other living things and inspires people young and of knowledge not only old to understand the interconnection between humans for plant scientists but curious laypeople as well. and nature. The Arboretum uniquely serves people of all ages and education levels–scientists, students, parents, and patrons– with opportunities to deepen their understanding of the natural world. Your gifts enable the Arboretum to create new opportunities ENCOURAGE for engagement and learning that serve a wide range WONDER of needs and interests. 6 | EVER GREEN | ENGAGING CURIOUS MINDS | 7 The Arboretum is proud of its many opportunities for experiential learning as well as its depth of classroom and pro- fessional education for aspiring and career horticulturists, landscape designers, ecologists, and arborists. The summer ¡Explorar! program enables the Arboretum to engage with young English language learners in hands-on STEM learning. Year-long internships enable deeper study and unique experiences that prepare serious students for careers in public gardens, horticulture, botany, and other related fields. With a variety and depth of programming, Morris Arboretum benefits members, non-members, scientists, and students of all ages and experience levels with a unique educational resource. MORRIS ARBORETUM IS AN ACCESSIBLE, INCLUSIVE SPACE, here for the wonder, enjoyment, education, and inspiration of curious people of all ages. 8 | EVER GREEN | ENGAGING CURIOUS MINDS | 9 CHAPTER III SHARING knowledge Your gifts enable Morris Arboretum to make ADVANCE RESEARCH a greater contribution to botanical and horticultural research in the U.S. and abroad. CONSIDER THE MYRIAD DETAILS AND SHEER VARIETY The Arboretum recognizes of remarkable plants here. This tranquil sanctuary inspires the urgency in understanding biological processes at work wonder as much as it soothes the soul. Each path explored in plants in an urban environ- at the Arboretum awakens the desire to learn as much as ment. Morris Arboretum leads possible about these fascinating plants and how they respond the Mid-Atlantic Megalopolis to a changing environment. Project to digitize more than 700,000 herbarium specimens from 11 universities, The Arboretum is known for its disciplined approach to state agencies, arboreta, research and for detailed study, documentation, and collection museums and botanic gardens in the northeast corridor from of plants. Staff botanists, arborists, urban forestry New York to Washington, consultants, and horticulturists cultivate a deeper under- DC. The resulting data will standing of plants, insects, natural and man-made threats, lead to a unique opportunity and growth patterns. to study the impacts of urbanization on flora. See mamdigitization.org for more information on this innovative and exciting project funded by the National Science Foundation. 10 | EVER GREEN | SHARING KNOWLEDGE | 11 The Arboretum encourages its patrons to appreciate the details as much as its broad vistas. Indeed, research is very much about observing, studying, and appreciating small details that indicate a larger story. The Arboretum’s nearly 13,000 accessioned plants serve as a living laboratory. These plants provide the basis for research projects that range in scale from whole plant evaluation and propagation to evolutionary and molecular analysis. The dogwood (Cornus) collection demonstrates the horticultural and scientific value of the living collections. Extensive holdings of Cornus kousa (kousa dogwood) from across its native range have allowed the Arboretum to study differences in cold-hardiness. Likewise, having a large number of dogwood species has contributed to greater understanding of genetic diversity within this plant group. ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND INTERNATIONALLY, the Arboretum is a leader of botanical and horticultural research, sharing scientific understanding of plants and encouraging green infrastructure in the wake of increased urbanization. 12 | EVER GREEN | SHARING KNOWLEDGE | 13 CHAPTER IV x CONSERVING a legacy WANDER BY THE GROVE OF DAWN REDWOODS (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) along the East Brook in the Sculpture Garden. These tall sentinels keep watch over the in- spiring green landscapes and gardens, but more important, they are living tributes that remind people of the enduring ties to those who came before, and of the great responsibility to preserve these natural gifts as time and environments change. These deciduous conifers–fast-growing living fossils that PROTECT NATURAL Demonstrate your support for Morris Arboretum stand more than 100 feet tall with trunks nearing 13 feet and enable the ongoing preservation and in circumference–are awesome reminders of the stunning RESOURCES conservation of plants. beauty and power of nature. The Arboretum serves an important role in the conservation and preservation of plant species both within and beyond its gates. The Arboretum devotes considerable resources to study- ing the effects of climate change and environmental impacts on plant species, developing and cultivating plants that can withstand changing weather patterns and urban stress factors. 14 | EVER GREEN | CONSERVING A LEGACY | 15 Morris Arboretum participates with other organizations in efforts to understand how best to encourage the longevity of natural resources in light of urbanization and changing environmental factors. An outstanding example of the Arboretum’s leadership in this regard is the Acer griseum Conservation Project now under way. The paperbark maple, known for its peeling cinnamon-hued bark, is native to China where it is threatened. Introduced in the West more than a century ago, the plant produces few fertile seeds and is difficult to propagate by cuttings. Through the North America-China Plant Exploration Consortium, a team of scientists from Morris and other arboreta have traveled to provinces throughout China to collect valuable seed samples and study the DNA of the Acer griseum. The aim is to understand both