Seasons Fall 2023

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B A LT I M O R E , M A R Y L A N D

This fall has passed in a blur. As we transition from the warmth of summer to the crispness of autumn, our gardeners have been working hard, adding more than 30 trees to the Arboretum’s collections. School field trips have kept our education staff members busy, and our Nature Education Center is crowded with interested visitors.

Male goldfinches are among the most colorful birds you will find at Cylburn. This goldfinch is harvesting some thistle seeds; nesting season for these birds coincides with the maturing of thistles-which they use as both nest building material and food, for themselves and their young. This picture was taken by Mark Linardi.

“The earth has music for those who listen” – William Shakespeare

We particularly enjoyed hosting Doug Tallamy for his lecture "Nature's Best Hope" in September. The event was sold out and participants left feeling inspired about the simple steps each of us can take at home to reverse declining biodiversity. If you have not read any of Doug’s books, I highly recommend them. I received The Nature of Oaks last Christmas, and I am contemplating which one to put on my wish list for this year.

Did you know that Wednesday Walks are free to Cylburn Arboretum Friends members? If you have not attended one of our Wednesday Walks, I encourage you to join us.

On the third Wednesday of every month, we gather at noon to explore different topics—from tree identification to native bees to the history of this space—all while strolling the beautiful grounds of Cylburn Arboretum.

As a member of Cylburn Arboretum Friends, you are an integral part of our community. Thank you for your support!

This picture was submitted by Donna Dannals for a recent social media photo contest.

Donna shared that the photo of Cylburn's iconic Japanese maples was taken in November of 2021. Our Acer palmatum var. dissectum 'Crimson Queen', commonly called Japanese maple, are known for spectacular fall color.

Booke M. Fritz, Executive Director Cylburn Arboretum Friends

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Rebecca Henry President Nancy B. Hill Vice President Hilles Whedbee Secretary Robert A. Cook Treasurer Mariayne Brodnicki Linda Wright Butler Will Clemens Beverly Davis Emily Dillon Patricia Foster Alan Gilbert Sandra P. Gohn Mae Hinnant Sorrel King Jo Middleditch Ramesh Moorthy Douglas Nelson Jack Owens Daniel Pham Nell B. Strachan

CONTENTS CYLBURN AND ITS BIRDS– THEN AND NOW PAGE 2

2 OUR NEW TEAM! PAGE 8

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EX OFFICIO Melissa Grim Chief Horticulturist, Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks Colleen Vacelet Owner, Intreegue Design SEASONS is published by Cylburn Arboretum Friends Written and edited by Brooke M. Fritz Executive Director Erika Castillo Director of Education Brent Figlestahler Head Gardener

TRIUMPHANT CONCLUSION PAGE 13

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Bill Geenen | Communication Design Layout and Design

UPCOMING EVENTS BACK COVER 4915 Greenspring Ave. Baltimore, MD 21209

Info@cylburn.org Phone: (410) 367-2217 Cylburn.org 1

CYLBURN AND ITS BIRDSTHEN AND NOW

By Erika Castillo

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n a recent crisp September morning, I hiked the Circle Trail, behind the Vollmer Center, in search of the Red-headed woodpeckers that reside in a tree snag. They are uncommon to see. In fact, the only documented Red-headed woodpecker family currently living in Baltimore City is right here at Cylburn Arboretum!

Binoculars at the ready, I scanned the horizon. I had done my homework. I knew that members of the Baltimore Bird Club see these woodpeckers regularly. They had pointed out the general location where the mating adults and their baby are living. I listened quietly for the characteristic chirps and cackles of the woodpecker. Patient though I was, I didn’t see any flash of red. After an hour of seeking, I decided to call it a day.

Let’s face it: I am not a good birder. My elevenyear-old son will painstakingly talk me through spotting a bird high in the trees. Still, usually, I can’t find it until it flies away. But even if I am not

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talented, even if I don’t actually see the bird I am looking for, the experience still brings me great joy.

Simply hearing birdsong can transform a stressful day for me.

I am not alone. Birding is gaining popularity across the US and there is growing evidence that birdwatching makes people happy. A 2021 Audubon article titled “More Birds Bring More Happiness, According to Science” describes how birding forces us to slow down and immerse ourselves in the moment. We become attentive to details and are reminded that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves. A 2022 article, from the New York Times, “The Surprising Health Benefits of Bird-Watching” details that bird-watching sharpens concentration, improves long-term mental health outcomes, and encourages us to be physically active.

Cylburn Arboretum’s 200+ acres of gardens and woodland have long been a favorite site for birdwatching. Here at Cylburn, you can spot birds in our diverse cultivated tree collection, lush gardens, fields and meadows, and dense woodland.

Top left is a blue bird by Moishe Schleifer. Top right is an adult red headed woodpecker, to the left is a juvenile, both by Mark Linardi

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PAST

Cylburn Arboretum has been associated with birding for over half a century. In 1959, The Baltimore Bird Club (BBC) began holding its meetings in the Cylburn Mansion. In 1961, the Baltimore Bird Club began to develop a nature museum on the third floor of the Cylburn Mansion.

In 2005, the museum reopened in the Carriage House with the help of the Cylburn Arboretum

Association (now Cylburn Arboretum Friends). The museum contained the most extensive exhibit of taxidermy birds in all of Maryland. Unfortunately, the building fell into disrepair and the specimens were placed in long-term storage. In 2017, the design process for a new building at the Carriage House began. This project, the Nature Education Center (NEC), was completed earlier in 2023!

PRESENT Today, the Baltimore Bird Club (BBC) as well as the Maryland Ornithological Society (MOS) claim Cylburn as their headquarters. Thanks to the work of the Baltimore Bird Club, the NEC contains many of the original taxidermy birds that have been carefully moved in and out of storage over the years. The NEC’s permanent exhibit, “The Hidden Life of Trees,” incorporates many specimens to highlight the symbiotic relationship between trees and birds. The following are a few examples of these specimens: • The Carolina parakeet is our example of an extinct bird (America’s only native parrot). It is a strong reminder to us of the need to care for our natural world.

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• The Scarlet Tanagers demonstrate sexual dimorphism between the male and female. Also, it’s great to see these birds up close because they live in the treetops and are difficult to see otherwise.

• We are excited to display the diversity of woodpeckers that are residents of Cylburn, with our Woodpecker case. Many, such as the Northern Flicker and the Sapsucker, are common to see at Cylburn Arboretum. Our examples can help with identification in the field – giving visitors a sense of the size and scale of the birds.

In designing our NEC exhibits, it was our hope that encountering displayed birds would spur visitors to go outside and do more exploring. Please ask us questions about what birds can be found at Cylburn. We are ready; we even have bird and wildlife guides available for you to check out. We also have a list of suggested apps to download, binoculars to use at bird observation windows, and an iPad set up to show how birds are migrating over our area.

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FUTURE

While you can’t come to Cylburn to see the Carolina parakeet in the skies, you can come and admire it and learn about this extinct bird in our Nature Education Center. I encourage you to come out and see the Red-headed woodpeckers. Stop in to see us first so that you can see the taxidermy version, and then I hope you have better luck than I did in our woodland.

The Red-headed woodpecker was once very common throughout the East, but the population has been decreasing in number. We don’t know all of the reasons, but habitat loss is a key cause (most likely from the cutting down of dead trees).

The peak time to bird-watch at Cylburn is sunrise and the peak seasons are September and early May, due to the diversity of birds passing through on their Fall and Spring migratory paths. However, if you are a beginning birder, winter is a great time to start! Many of our trees are bare, allowing for easier spotting of birds. And there are less birds to sort between, as we have fewer winter resident birds.

There is currently some talk of resurrecting extinct species like the Carolina parakeet by introducing its DNA into its close relatives. In my opinion, there are better ways to help the birds of the future. Consider planting your yard with wildlife in mind, joining the Baltimore Bird Club, or joining Lights Out Baltimore to help make our night skies more hospitable. And of course, we hope you visit Cylburn to learn about the birds in our area!

About the author: Erika is the Education Director for CAF. Growing up, her mother was an avid bird-watcher but she herself didn’t catch the birding bug until the COVID-19 pandemic.

With plentiful “down time” with her children, they spent countless hours watching tiny brown sparrows, noting the difference between individuals and species. This inspired her children to form an “Appreciation Society for Sparrows” club. Her son, now 11-years-old, has surpassed her own birding knowledge.

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PHOTO GUIDE: Some favorite birds to spot at Cylburn 1.

Cedar waxwing: Loves the fruits from Cylburn’s Crabapple trees. Find them in May and October/November.

By Mark Linardi.

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Baltimore oriole: Find them in early May in open areas of the woodlands.

By Mark Linardi.

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Red-eyed vireo: Find high in the canopy of the woodlands in spring and summer.

By Mark Linardi.

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Brown thrasher: Find hopping around in the Moudry Woods undergrowth between the Greenhouses and Nature Education Center in April-September. By David Potlack

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Goldfinch: Loves the seeds left from the flowers in the gardens, especially common in late summer around the Master Gardener’s DIG garden and the Mansion Circle Garden.

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Ruby-throated hummingbird: Find in the gardens sipping nectar from April through early October. By Aaron Burden

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Blue jay: Find these birds year-round eating acorns from our many oaks.

From @bmorebirders.

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Eastern Bluebird: These beauties stay yearround at Cylburn, at the woodland edges behind the Vollmer Center or next to the Greenhouses. By Moishe Schleifer.

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Tufted titmouse: Find year-round in our gardens and woodland.

By Keith Eric Costley.

10. Yellow-bellied sapsucker: Find from late September until early May eating from sapwells, little rows of holes they drill in tree bark. These birds migrate north in the spring. By Keith Eric Costley.

PLEASE NOTE: Every one of these pictures were taken at Cylburn Arboretum.

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INTRODUCING

R�chel,Rose & Ron

Rose, Rachel and Ron spent time this fall tending to the dahlia garden. On days when our dahlia volunteer, Nancy Bloise, was not available, the CAF team tended the garden deadheading the plants for optimal beauty.

We are thrilled to introduce three remarkable individuals who have joined our team and are already making an impact on Cylburn Arboretum. Rachel, Rose, and Ron bring a wealth of knowledge and a fresh perspectives to our grounds. We are excited to see how the passion of our larger team influences the landscape at Cylburn in the coming year.

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“

I believe having a connection to plants links you to humans throughout history.

Plant evolution can teach us a lot. I look to resilient plants as a model for my own thought process about life.

PASSIONATE ABOUT NATIVE PLANTS: RACHEL DEPETRIS Rachel is our newly hired Horticulture Intern. Her position is funded by Cylburn Arboretum Friends, the Horticultural Society of Maryland, and the Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland. She is currently finishing up her last classes toward a Sustainable Horticulture associate degree at the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC). We talked to Rachel about what brought her to Cylburn and what she is interested in learning during her time with us.

“The first time I spent time at Cylburn Arboretum was with a friend group at a birthday party – we hung out near the Worthley garden. The entire park felt like such a cozy place. There were other people around, but it felt like we could have our own special space. Later, I got pulled deeper into the Cylburn world by a fellow CCBC student who introduced me to the horticulture team more formally.”

“My interest in plants and horticulture started in 2017 with herbalism. I believe having a connection to plants links you to humans throughout history.

Plant evolution can teach us a lot. I look to resilient plants as a model for my own thought process about life.”

We asked Rachel about what she is most passionate about in her working life.

“I am really intrigued by native plants and drought-resistant plants. My favorite aesthetic is coastal. I love a landscape where the garden serves a function.”

Before joining our team, Rachel worked at American Native Plants, a Baltimore County wholesale native tree and shrub grower.

We were curious about what she was hoping to learn at Cylburn Arboretum that might be different from her prior work experience.

“I am really interested in learning more about time management for

dense plantings. I am also excited to work with our Head Gardner, Fig, and our Assistant Gardener, Mitch, because they have such a long history with the site. Both are very intentional in their direction, which I appreciate. I think it will be valuable to ‘see what they see’ in terms of maintenance for the gardens over the course of the year. And of course, I am always down to talk about plants, and we have done that a lot in my new role already.”

She added, “I also look forward to getting to know about plants I’m unfamiliar with, finding new inspiration, befriending critters, and maybe even seeing a ghost around the mansion. I think Cylburn Arboretum is the perfect blend of forest edge, trails and cultivated gardens. I am excited to learn about all of the different species of trees on the property. But then you have the historical aspect of this place that is so much more extensive than I realized, and it is also kinda spooky – which I love.”

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When we are exploring, I feel the soul of the city. Cylburn has a very similar feel. You know that there is deep history in this space.

And yet it is a free city park and public garden.

I love that you don’t have to pay to visit.

AN ADVOCATE FOR THE MILPA: ROSE PACHECO Rose is our newest hire – joining us as a part time gardener. She very recently moved from Tampa, Florida to Baltimore in the hopes of fulfilling a dream of owning land and growing food. Rose originally hails from Omaha, Nebraska where she grew up with a large family. We talked to Rose about what brought her to the field of Horticulture and her hopes and dreams for the future.

“As soon as I started a horticulture class, which I took on a whim, I knew that I had found my future career. I was drawn to growing and I was more interested in it than anything else I was taking in my business courses. Recently moving from Tampa, I am excited to work in a new environment. Tampa was zone 9, I grew up in zone 5, and now I am in zone 7. Each is different and I look forward to learning the rhythm of the planting season in this zone.”

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Rose added, “I am excited to be in Baltimore—we want to put down roots and I really hope this is the place for us. My husband and I are interested in building our own business—growing food for Baltimore.”

We asked Rose about her favorite horticulture job so far.

“I worked with an organization that had ‘seed to table’ programs in Omaha, Nebraska. I worked with different kid’s clubs like Girls Inc., or the Boys and Girls Club to start gardens. I would take it from building the raised garden bed boxes to harvesting the crop at the end of the season and celebrating with a meal.”

“I loved to learn through those gardens.” Rose shared, “I was testing my own knowledge while I was teaching. And it was fun to see what the young people were interested in doing, and what they dreaded. This was in Nebraska in the heat of the summer. It is one of the hottest and most

humid states. Our students did not like weeding at all, but they loved watering. I would water everything – including the kids!

And of course, they loved to eat at the end. We had salsa, pickles, salad, and green beans right out of the garden. It was wonderful.”

We talked to Rose about her horticultural influences and aspirations. As the daughter of a Mexican father and an indigenous North American mother, Rose is particularly interested in ancient farming systems.

"My passion is food gardening. I love to create gardens that are beautiful but also have a purpose.

When I plant, I incorporate herbs, flowers and food together in the tradition of the Mexican Milpa. It is a system that uses intercropping or, in other words, growing different crops together in the same space, similar to companion planting. Milpa crops share resources - water, light, soil - but also provide benefits to each other. It is an old practice but seems to be getting re-invented and re-introduced to the world of horticulture all over again.”

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I love being outdoors, immersed in nature every day. I enjoy interacting with the different people who are drawn to Cylburn.

Given her background, we asked Rose what brought her to Cylburn Arboretum.

“Baltimore is an old city, and I love all the historic European influences. When we are exploring, I feel the soul of the city. Cylburn has a very similar feel. You know that there is deep history in this space. And yet it is a free city park and public garden. I love that you don’t have to pay to visit. There are so many botanical gardens that require membership to enter, or even to go to a plant sale. Yet, here you have this beautiful space owned by the City of Baltimore and I get to work for the nonprofit organization that supports the grounds—it is an exciting place to work.”

CURIOUS ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE: RON ROBERTO Ron rejoined our team after spending a year as our Horticulture Intern. This time he is with us as a Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps member. Ron’s position is funded by the Chesapeake Bay Trust as part of its effort to increase access and opportunities to green careers across the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

In the Corps, young adults are provided with hands-on environmental and leadership experience, training, and a support network of other young environmentalists. We talked to Ron about what influenced his application to the Corps as well as his desire to return to work at Cylburn Arboretum.

“I really enjoy working with Cylburn Arboretum Friends (CAF). I am surrounded by people who are older than me and have helped guide me over the past year. In the process of trying to determine my path forward in life, CAF staff members and volunteers have

helped to get me to this point and are also always willing to discuss future opportunities.”

“In high school, I studied Information Technology. Then at the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) I started with two years of a nursing program before I realized that it was not a good fit. But I did enjoy the science side, so I switched to Sustainable Horticulture and have been much happier in my choice. As I was finishing up my internship with CAF last year, I was thinking about a lot of other job opportunities including a training opportunity at Longwood Gardens or working with landscape firms.

Ultimately, I focused on the Chesapeake Bay Trust opportunity because I liked that the Corps is designed to support young adults in refining their professional goals and building the foundation to grow into leaders in their respective fields. I am excited to continue learning and growing at Cylburn.”

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We asked Ron about what he has enjoyed so far in his new role, as well as what he is looking to do in the future.

“I love being outdoors, immersed in nature every day. I enjoy interacting with the different people who are drawn to Cylburn.

For example, it is a gratifying experience to see people enjoy the gardens we tend. This year, half of my time is also spent with our education team. This past week I assisted our Education Director with a kindergarten school field trip. During one of our activities, I guided students blindfolded to a tree, to feel the bark and leaves. Then I pulled them away, taking the blindfold off and asking them to identify the tree. We all had such a good time together. After the trip, one of the students came back to the Nature Education Center with his mom and he came right up to hug me. It was such a wonderful moment.”

“When I started the Corps program, I thought I wanted to own my own business – a nursery and landscaping business. But just 12

one month into the program, my dreams for the future are already harder to identify. Now I am focused on learning and being open to opportunities.”

Ron elaborated on his passions, even as he is working to figure out what that means in terms of a future career.

“Since entering the horticulture field, I have been thinking more deeply about climate change. Now, working with the Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps, I have the opportunity for more in-depth learning about not only what is happening to our planet, but also what we all can do to mitigate future challenges. I want to be open to new ideas, flexible to trying new things, and I want to find a job that matches my talents with my passions.”

FROM THE TOP: Rose weeding in the Mansion Circle Garden. Ron and Fig with other gardeners at Towson University after our team helped to install a Japanese style Karesansui garden under the direction of Japanese garden expert, John Powell.

Head Gardener Fig working with our Intern Rachel. Ron training with a Billy Goat brushcutter, clearing the woodland edge for a future Willow collection.

THANK YOU We are thrilled to announce the triumphant conclusion of our Nature Education Center Campaign. In three years, we raised $7.3 million dollars. This is an incredible accomplishment for such a small organization.

This journey has been nothing short of remarkable, a testament to the power of community, passion, and shared commitment to nature education at Cylburn Arboretum. We are already in the process of expanding our programs to reach more people, using our state-of-the-art facilities for research

gatherings and welcoming the community into our new home.

We have grown so we hope that you will continue to support us in the next phase of our journey.

THANK you for being part of our ongoing success!

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4915 GREENSPRING AVENUE BALTIMORE, MD 21209

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FALL 2023: NEC OPEN SIX DAYS A WEEK (CLOSED MONDAYS) NOVEMBER 8: TREE TIME (AUTUMN LEAVES) NOVEMBER 15: WEDNESDAY WALK (CHAMPION TREES) NOVEMBER 15: GENERAL VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION DECEMBER 13: TREE TIME (AMAZING TREE BARK) DECEMBER 20: WEDNESDAY WALK (CYLBURN HISTORY)

THANK YOU

We can’t thank you enough for being part of our community at Cylburn Arboretum Friends— your support and participation is the foundation of our success.

Looking for more ways to be involved? Visit cylburn.org/give.

Do you know someone who would enjoy being a member as much as you?

The Gift of Cylburn Gift certificates are available

at cylburn.org/give/give-the-gift-of-cylburn.