Look at the beauty of all trees this fall
The bright fall colors have faded as the few remaining leaves swirl in the wind and drift down. But there is a second show. With foliage nearly gone, we can more easily enjoy the structure, trunk, and branches of trees.
The shredding bark of Paperbark maple (Acer griseum); the mottled bark of a mature Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa); the River birch (Betula nigra) with its cinnamon-colored peeling bark are just a few examples of garden beauty easier to see in the late fall and winter. For a good article listing peeling bark trees see George Weigel’s article at georgeweigel. net/georges-current-ramblings-and-readlings/10trees-with-interestingpeeling-or-flaking-bark.
Look to the oak, strong and unapologetically irregular and contorted or the willows, graceful, gently curved and delicate. Walk the garden, the forest, or the roadside and check out the magical beauty of those branches.
It is easy to enjoy the garden in fall, and it’s time to examine the structure and the bones of your trees. Are they growing properly? Can light and air penetrate the tree crown? Are there densely crossed areas or damaged limbs? Document the garden and study it. Plan for additions, pruning needs and, occasionally, the removal of trees.
I really hate cutting down trees in the garden, but old age, disease, poor health, changing growing conditions, and poor planning during the planting stage can all result in dangerous situations that can damage nearby buildings and endanger
family and friends. Always use reliable tree trimmers, properly trained and ensured, to remove or trim problem trees in the garden.
Longwood at Christmas
It’s a local treasure with a national reputation, and the Winter/Christmas holiday displays are legendary at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square. The current display, Chrysanthemum Festival, is a beautiful tribute to fall and runs through Sunday. The next show, A Longwood Christmas,
runs Nov. 18 to Jan. 8.
The place is spectacular any time of year, but especially shines at Christmas with it’s formal gardens, festive light displays and themed presentations throughout the gardens and conservatories. Check out the website: longwoodgardens.org for specific information and reservations.
Remember, Longwood Gardens, like many cultural displays, has timed entrances, so plan ahead. Use the website to explore which locations are must-sees, since there is no way to do justice to the entire garden in one visit. The holiday display is
open 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Tell me about it
In a few weeks, I’ll be writing my gift suggestion list and I thought I’d try for some reader input. Please let me know the best and worst garden gifts you’ve received, what you’d like to get and any suggestions for gifts others might like to try. I have plenty of examples, but I’d love to hear your ideas
Satisfied reader
Joan wrote about pruning her hydrangea bushes before she had some tree work done. I gave her my best recommendation and, happily, she found an answer that suits her needs.
Thanks so much for your lengthy and well-researched answer to my hydrangea question! I will follow your advice (ask the tree guys to try to spare the plants, and clean up any broken branches, etc.) and hope for the best. Earlier this year, my husband actually called the tree guys and delayed the tree removal, since the hydrangeas were having such a great year-gorgeous blooms. So if next year isn’t so great, I can at least be thankful for this year.
Hope you are well. And thanks, again.
— Joan
Garden events
Bethlehem Garden Club: Meeting on Thursday, No. 17 at Advent Moravian Church, 3730 Jacksonville Rd., Bethlehem. The speaker,
Terry Kloiber will give a hands-on demonstration of gourd art. Kloiber has been creating her gourd art since 2013. The doors open at 12:30 and the lecture starts at 1 p.m. All are welcome.