Friends of the Central Experimental Farm Spring 2017 Newsletter Volume 29 No. 2 Leaf Out in the Arboretum By Zoe Panchen So it was a delight to be back in the Arboretum studying the leaf out of the woody plants at a more leisurely pace. We defined leaf out as the date on which leaves on at least three branches of the tree or shrub had unfurled to the point where their final shape could be seen. Spring in the Arboretum Here in Ottawa we often joke that if we blink we will miss spring, so it was quite surprising to see that in 2012 it was almost two months (59 days) from the first species leafing out to the last species leafing out. In 2013 and 2014 I was unable to monitor the last few species leafing out, but in 2015 and 2016 the leaf out start to finish was a week and a half shy of two months, still quite long at 49 and 47 days respectively. At the Arboretum the first woody species leaf out n usually about the second week in April, but e h c in 2012 it was the last week in March. There n a P were some very warm days in early spring e o 2012 and perhaps this was the reason for Z the early start to leaf out that year. Ginkgo Tree (Ginkgo biloba) leafing out, May 14, 2012 Deciduous species such as maples and oaks are not the only species that leaf out in n 2012, I was invited to join a team of when I skied through the trees. At the time, spring—evergreen species such as pines and researchers from around the world I was focused on getting to the finish line spruces also produce a flush of new needles Imonitoring leaf out times of woody plant and really didn’t get to appreciate the trees I in spring. However, deciduous species tend species at botanical gardens and arboreta in was racing by. My second introduction, to leaf out earlier than the evergreen Canada, China, Germany and the U.S.A. We when I was enrolled in Algonquin College’s species. The pine trees ( Pinus sp.) at the were looking for patterns in leaf out times. Horticulture Program, was far more in depth Arboretum are always the last to leaf out. Across the eight gardens/arboreta, we but still conducted at a rapid pace. On There are likely two different survival monitored about 1,600 species. In the Saturday mornings we walked briskly strategies at play here; the deciduous Central Experimental Farm Arboretum I through the Arboretum stopping frequently species need to leaf out early in order to have been monitoring almost 200 species to learn about the myriad of trees and shrubs start photosynthesising but risk damage by a for the past five years. In this article I that could be used in an Ottawa area garden late frost, while the evergreen species can summarise findings from our 2012 and 2013 landscape. continue to use their leaves/needles from leaf out records with a special focus on the Ken Farr, the dendrologist for John previous years to photosynthesise and in so woody species in the Arboretum and my five Laird Farrar’s excellent book Trees of doing can avoid frost damage by leafing out years of observations. Canada , taught the courses, which we later. My first introduction to the Arboretum affectionately called Woody I and Woody II. Continued on page 3 was actually during the Winterlude Triathlon These two courses inspired my love of trees. Letters to Minister McKenna and NCC on pages 8 and 9 Page 2 Friends of the Central Experimental Farm • Spring 2017 President’s Message keep thinking that the winter months will be recommending you approve the should be a quiet time for the Board—as it following: Iis for the gardens. It never seems to work Moved that a one-time exemption of out. One issue on our minds is continuing By-law 7.2, “No member of the Board of encroachment on the Farm. Compared with Directors shall serve more than six the hospital, the Baseline Road transportation consecutive years,” as it would apply to corridor is a very small encroachment and currently elected members of the Board of could result in a positive shelterbelt for those Directors, be approved. Those currently fields. However, it is one more source of elected Board members are: Yvonne development on this designated National Ackerman, Judy Dodds, Shirley Ewen, Shari Historic Site. Haas, Kate Harrigan, Richard Hinchcliff, It is impossible to argue against a hospital Matthew LaCompte, Jeannine Lewis, Blaine or public transportation. We don’t and aren’t. Marchand, Donna Pape and Mary Ann Smythe. These decisions are made and we certainly Moved that the terms of current won’t oppose them. But we do wonder if g members of the Board of Directors be n u these are truly the only solutions for those o extended as follows: from September 2017 to Y crucial needs and whether the Farm will n April 2018 – Yvonne Ackerman, Judy Dodds, e continue to be an easy source of land for K Kate Harrigan; from September 2018 to April future development. As you will see Judy Dodds 2019 – Shari Haas, Richard Hinchcliff, Matthew LaCompte, Jeannine Lewis, Donna (on pages 8 and 9), we have written to appealing, it isn’t an efficient way to review government officials asking for their help in Pape, Mary Ann Smythe; from September our finances. 2019 to April 2020 – Shirley Ewen, Blaine increasing the protection of this amazing Moving the AGM sounds easy but in fact Marchand. public garden, national historic treasure, it takes a bit of work. We reviewed our In addition to these changes, our own green space and research facility. by-laws to make sure it’s possible–it is. And to Richard Hinchcliff will be speaking and The other item the Board has been see if we need to make other changes–we do. sharing from his book “Blooms: An Illustrated working on is moving our Annual General The terms served by the current Board of History of the Ornamental Gardens at Meeting (AGM) from September to April, a Directors will expire in September of the Ottawa’s Central Experimental Farm”. move suggested by a Board member at our last appropriate year. We recommend moving I hope to see you at the Neatby Building at AGM. While having the AGM in September them to the appropriate following April. Our 7:00 pm on Wednesday, April 19. after the bulk of gardening is finished is members must make these decisions, so we Judy Dodds Message de la présidente e n’arrive pas à me détacher de l’idée que protection de ce grand jardin public, ce membre du conseil d’administration ne les mois d’hiver soient des moments de joyau historique national, cet espace vert et pourra servir plus de six années Jpure tranquillité pour les membres du cette installation de recherche que l’on peut consécutives », laquelle s’applique aux Conseil d’administration, comme il en est tout simplement qualifier d’extraordinaire. membres élus qui siègent actuellement au pour les jardins. Pourtant, cela ne semble Une autre question qui préoccupe le conseil d’administration nommés ici : jamais se produire. Une question qui nous Conseil actuellement concerne le Yvonne Ackerman, Judy Dodds, Shirley préoccupe est l’empiètement continu sur la changement de la tenue de l’assemblée Ewen, Shari Haas, Kate Harrigan, Richard ferme. Si l’on compare avec la situation de générale annuelle (AGA) de septembre à Hinchcliff, Matthew LaCompte, Jeannine l’hôpital, le corridor du chemin Baseline avril, selon la proposition d’un membre à la Lewis, Blaine Marchand, Donna Pape et représente un bien mince empiètement et dernière AGA. L’idée de tenir l’AGA en Mary Ann Smythe. pourrait être aménagé en un brise-vent septembre est en soi attrayante du fait que le Il est proposé que le mandat des favorable pour ces champs. Toutefois, il gros du jardinage est terminé, mais ce n’est membres actuels suivants soit prolongé tel s’agit toujours d’une autre source de pas un moment propice pour passer en qu’indiqué ci-dessous : de septembre 2017 à développement sur cet espace ayant été revue nos finances. avril 2018 – Yvonne Ackerman, Judy Dodds, classé lieu historique national. Le fait de déplacer l’AGA peut sembler Kate Harrigan; de septembre 2018 à avril Il est impossible d’argumenter lorsqu’il facile au départ, mais cela exige un peu de 2019 – Shari Haas, Richard Hinchcliff, s’agit d’un hôpital ou du transport en travail. Nous avons fait l’examen de nos Matthew LaCompte, Jeannine Lewis, Donna commun. Nous ne voulons pas le faire et ne règlements afin de nous assurer que cela est Pape, Mary Ann Smythe; de septembre 2019 le ferons pas. Ces décisions ont été prises, et possible – et ce l’est, et de voir si d’autres à avril 2020 – Shirley Ewen, Blaine nous ne n’y opposerons certainement pas. changements doivent être apportés – et c’est Marchand. Nous nous demandons cependant si ce sont le cas. Les mandats que servent les membres En plus de ces changements, l’un de vraiment les seules solutions à envisager en actuels du Conseil prendront fin en nos membres et auteur, Richard Hinchcliff fonction de besoins aussi importants et si on septembre selon leurs années de service. donnera une causerie et soulignera certains se tournera tout naturellement du côté de la Nous faisons la recommandation suivante : extraits de son livre « Blooms: An Illustrated Ferme comme la solution facile lorsqu’un que les mandats se terminent en avril History of the Ornamental Gardens at bloc de terrain s’avérera nécessaire à désormais.