Posted by: James E. Klett, Extension Horticulture Specialist
A new publication (Bulletin XCM
-150), Dependable Landscape Trees from the Colorado State University Arboretum, was recently published by Colorado State University Extension authored by
Sarah Shaub, M.S and James Klett, Ph.D.
It is a collaboration between Colorado State Extension, Colorado State
University College of Agricultural Sciences and Colorado Agriculture Experiment
Station.
The book is available from CSU University Resourse Center, 115 General Services Building 4061 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, Phone (970) 481- 6198, or www.csuextstore.com. Cost: $19.95, plus shipping and handling.
The Colorado State University
Arboretum is located at the Plant Environmental Research Center (PERC) located
in the southwest corner of the main campus (630 W. Lake Street in Fort Collins).
The main objectives of the arboretum are to determine which plants are
suitable for growing in the Rocky Mountain area and to display the plants for
teaching and public viewing. The PERC
arboretum contains more than 1,100 different plants with an additional 120 taxa
located at an additional six acre arboretum on Center Avenue in Fort
Collins. The plants discussed in this
publication are based on data collected between 1997 and 2012. Every plant in the arboretum is evaluated
every two years using a standard evaluation form comprised of 31 parameters
relating to plant characteristics, aesthetic value, plant health, insect and
disease problems and cultural and maintenance problems.
The plants discussed in this publication
needed to be growing a minimum of 10 years in the arboretum and then ranked on
two evaluations parameters: overall health and aesthetic value. Plants were ranked and given an assigned
ranking; a minimum point cut-off eliminated less suitable plants for the
region. This selection process yielded the
225 trees discussed in the publication.
Both deciduous and evergreen trees are arranged by scientific name in
alphabetical order of each section in the publication. Each plant entry lists the years
transplanted, 2012 height and width, mature height and width, growth habit,
landscape uses, flowers, fruit, fall color, pests and potential problems.
Along with the list of general
plants characteristics, a description of each plant is provided. This is a summary of the main landscape
features of the plant. Entries for tree
cultivars include a shorter description, with the primary information provided
being the main characteristics of the cultivar that differ from the species.
The performance section of each
entry is a summary of the evaluation data for each numerous plant. If any characteristics of the arboretum are
different from what is expected, it is indicated here. Photographs of most of the trees are adjacent
to the plant characteristics.
There are also numerous appendixes
in the book including: list of plants that did not meet the criteria for number
of years in the arboretum, list of plants still under evaluation, list of trees
by flower color, fruit color, landscape uses, mature size and fall color. Descriptions of the plants normally have
three photos accompanying the description often showing growth habit, flower
and fall color.
Many foundations and organizations
contribute yearly funding to operate the arboretum along with numerous
nurseries and botanic garden providing plant material. This is a must-have publication for
anyone recommending landscape trees for the Colorado and Rocky Mountain Area.
And if the stadium is built, it will be a parking lot. So very sad, such a loss....
ReplyDeleteElaine Spencer
Hi Elaine...the arboretum will not become a parking lot if the stadium is built. It will continue to exist and become an integral part of the stadium landscape. Unfortunately, some have spread misinformation regarding the potential new stadium.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post. This is excellent information. It is amazing and wonderful to visit your site.
ReplyDeletelandscape trees