Pistacia chinensis, commonly called pistachio or Chinese pistache, is a small deciduous tree. The fall color varies, but is usually very vibrant, and comes in shades of yellow, orange and red. It's one of the last trees to change color in the fall, and can retain its autumn colors into early winter.
"It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty; the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living.”
–David Attenborough
Cover: One of the reasons dahlias are garden favorites is their extended blooming period. Flowering from midsummer through the first frost, they bring continuous color and life to Cylburn Arboretum when many other plants have stopped blooming.
As the leaves turn and the crisp autumn air settles in, I am delighted to see so many familiar and new faces exploring our grounds. Fall is a special time at Cylburn Arboretum, as visitors flock to witness nature’s annual transformation. Each trail and garden offers a unique perspective on the season’s splendor—from the blazing reds of the maples to the deep purples of asters lining the pathways. It’s a time to slow down, to savor the moment, and to reconnect with the natural world around us.
This year, we enjoyed welcoming visitors to our Nature Education Center as a new destination on the property. We had 13,834 visitors in our first full year of operation – and so many of them had never been to Cylburn Arboretum before! It also warms my heart to see families, nature lovers, and lifelong learners engaging with the new programs we are offering because of our space. I encourage you to visit and take part in all that this special place has to offer. As I reflect on our 70-year journey as a nonprofit organization, I am thrilled that we are still able to reach new levels.
From our horticulturalists who carefully curate our plant collections to the volunteers who greet visitors with a smile, this community is the heart of our mission. You all have helped us to reach our 70th anniversary this year! I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to those of you who support our work—whether through your time, donations, or membership.
You are the reason we continue to grow and evolve. Thank you for being a part of our Arboretum community, and may this season bring you as much joy as it brings to us here. We appreciate
Brooke M. Fritz, Executive Director Cylburn Arboretum Friends
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Rebecca Henry President
Hilles Whedbee Vice President
Ramesh Moorthy Secretary
Robert A. Cook Treasurer
Linda Wright Butler Will Clemens
Beverly Davis
Emily Dillon
Patricia Foster
Alan Gilbert
Sandra P. Gohn
Mark Gurley
Nancy B. Hill
Mae Hinnant
Sorrel King
Douglas Nelson
Daniel Pham
Courtney Sawyer
Nell B. Strachan
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
Bill Geenen | Communication Design Layout and Design
4915 Greenspring Ave. Baltimore, MD 21209
Info@cylburn.org
Phone: (410) 367-2217 Cylburn.org
THE MANY CLASSROOMS OF CYLBURN
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NOTES FROM THE COLLECTION
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DISCOVER THE EXCITING NEW ADDITIONS AT OUR NATURE EDUCATION CENTER
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UPCOMING EVENTS: BACK COVER 2
The classrooms at Cylburn Arboretum differ from what normally comes to mind when we think of a classroom. Here, the “walls” and “ceilings” are trees and canopies, and the “seats” are fallen logs. The earth itself structures our spaces of learning.
We recently asked several educators who regularly make use of Cylburn’s spaces why they love teaching and learning at the Arboretum. Here are descriptions of some of their favorite “classrooms,” each with its own unique characteristics.
THE MANY CLASSROOMS OF CYLBURN
By Erika Castillo, Education Director
CLASSROOM: CYLBURN LAWNS
“Cylburn offers so many different opportunities and spaces for my students to interact with nature and to experience awe and peace.”
–Gretchen Banks, LCSW-C Baltimore City Public Schools School Social Worker and Nature-Informed Therapist
“From its magical spring fields of gold, and the oceanic affinity of the geologic substrate, to its diversity of towering woody species, Cylburn Mansion and grounds have become a staple for my geoecology classes and never fails to inspire a robust discourse.”
–Jerry L. Burgess, Director, Environmental Science and Studies, Associate Teaching Professor, Johns Hopkins University
Unique Characteristics: Cylburn’s four expansive lawns offer the perfect space for large groups to gather. The East Lawn provides the grandest stage with the Cylburn Mansion as a backdrop; the West Lawn and South Lawn create a slightly more intimate setting with their close proximity to our tree collections. The lawn next to the Upper Parking Lot allows for easy access to both the parking lot and Vollmer Center. Bluebirds frequently soar across these lawns, as do children on field trips!
Topics of study offered: Educational games and activities, “Low Mow” meadow ecology, Ornithology
Playing bat echolocation game
Cylburn tour stop/gathering space
CLASSROOM: CYLBURN WOODLAND
Unique Characteristics: Comprising the perimeter of the Arboretum are 150 acres of urban forest. Here, you can enjoy more than three miles of trails, where the rustling leaves become background music, and your “fellow students” might include a curious squirrel or woodpecker. Winding through this classroom is a spring-fed creek, rendering the Arboretum’s name apt (Cylburn means woodland stream). And don’t forget to wave at the massive oaks—our campus elders!
Topics of study offered: Urban Forest Ecology, Geology, Maryland Natural History, Spring ephemerals, Freshwater Ecology (Streams and Vernal pools), Forest Management
“Cylburn is a terrific place for our trainees to work, learn, and appreciate. They have an opportunity to perform typical duties: planting, watering, weeding, and trail maintenance. They learn tree ID, tree diversity, and ecology through the collection and Nature Center. They appreciate the beauty and stillness of the forest and the value of public lands for generations.”
–Morgan Grove, USFS Research Forester
Forestry Conference participants learning about the Canopy Gap Oak Study.
A group of adults on a guided walk along the Circle Trail, hunting for spring ephemerals.
Gathering on the stumps of the Moudry Woods to reflect on what it would be like to be an animal living in that habitat.
Summer campers taking advantage of the tree canopy and the cool woodland stream on a hot summer day, completing a stream health analysis.
CLASSROOM: CYLBURN WOODLAND EDGE
“My students really enjoyed going out to the Arboretum, and I was thrilled that the deer fence gave us an opportunity to ask questions relevant to real-world conservation issues we were studying in class. The fence let us study the effects of deer on young trees, and the whole experience let my students learn about trees, conservation, and the challenges of doing ecological research. The combination of maintained and mostly wild areas makes the Arboretum a great resource, and I love having it nearby!”
–Akana Noto, Biology Professor, Goucher College
Unique Characteristics: The woodland edge differs from the woodland itself. The sunlight shifts from dim and shady to bright and sunny, and plants get lower to the ground as the trees and shrubs give way to grasses. There may be a change in smell as you leave the forest of decomposing leaf litter, or a shift in the sound composition of birds, insects, and leaves rustling. The woodland edge is a place of transition: transition from one habitat to another. For certain species of bird and bat, this is the perfect place to nest, with easy access to fields for hunting. Deer and turtles, as well as woodland plants that appreciate a little sun, all love the woodland edge too.
Topics of study offered: Woodland edge restoration, Landscape design, Deer management study
Woodland Edge study and restoration work
Students conducting a “sounds” activity. Counting and identifying the sounds at the woodland edge lets you experience sounds from two distinct habitats.
Field trip participant looking for birds at the edge of the cultivated grounds.
Volunteers planting trees at the woodland edge.
CLASSROOM: CYLBURN GARDENS
Unique Characteristics: In our beautiful gardens, learning is an all-sensory experience. Listen to the hum of pollinators, smell the perfume of blooms, and touch one of the many woody plants that our Arboretum is known for. It is one of the more obvious locations for students to learn about the delicate balance of ecosystems, develop an appreciation for biodiversity, and build a personal connection to nature.
Topics of study offered: Botany, Botanical art, Pollinators, Soils, Landscape design, Garden practices, Weed identification
“My view as the lead gardener of the Demonstration and Intern Garden, is that the DIG garden at Cylburn is a singular, exceptional site. For over ten years, Cylburn has offered this unique site to teach Baltimore City Master Gardeners and Interns how to grow vegetables and small fruits. The relationship is so unique. The staff of Baltimore City Recreation and Parks, the staff of Cylburn Arboretum Friends and its volunteers offer a priceless fund of knowledge to the Master Gardener program.”
–Sara Service, manager of the Master Gardener’s DIG Garden
“Our trip to Cylburn Arboretum was an unforgettable experience for my kindergarten class. The children were captivated by the beautiful gardens and had the chance to explore nature up close, sparking curiosity and wonder. The hands-on learning opportunities made complex concepts like plant life and ecosystems easy and fun for young minds to understand.”
–Dia Matthews, Gilman School
Adult education course in the gardens
Learning in the Shady Garden
Students observe and study pollinators in the circle garden
“From the interpretive signage to the demonstration areas to the world-class Nature Education Center, every inch of Cylburn Arboretum is a classroom with devoted and knowledgeable Cylburn Arboretum Friends staff and volunteers leading and supporting learning for visitors of all ages. The Maryland Master Naturalist Program proudly features Cylburn Arboretum as a Baltimore city program host site, and Master Naturalists trained at Cylburn are an exceptional asset to the city and surrounding areas because of the quality of their learning experience and depth of engagement by Friends’ staff.”
–Joy Shindler Rafey, State Coordinator University of Maryland Extension Maryland Master Naturalist Program
“Cylburn is a great classroom for making connections to Earth/ Life Science standards in a realworld way. When our students learn in an organic and natural manner, the learning becomes more sticky and permanent in students’ minds.”
–Robin Palomares, CJR School, Baltimore City Public Schools
“Visiting the Cylburn Arboretum is one of my favorite outdoor field experiences we provide for our teachers participating in the Harbor Scholars Program. The teachers get to learn about the expansive tree collections, explore gardens and trails, visit the Nature Education Center, and they also get to learn activities that can bring nature into any space available to them.”
Unique Characteristics: In this learning space the ceiling has roots! Unlike our outdoor spaces, here you will be surrounded by birds that don’t fly away (they’re behind glass), and bark samples that you can flip over. You are encouraged to touch, feel, and explore. And there is so much to read - repeat visitors are welcome!
Topics of study offered: Tree studies (growth, morphology, root communication), Urban tree canopy, Forest layers, Bird adaptations and migration
Exhibits as springboard for learning
US Forest Service International Group exploring the CFG Exhibit Hall.
Student from a Rochester NY group studying Baltimore’s tree canopy.
CLASSROOM: CYLBURN TREE COLLECTION
Unique Characteristics: Cylburn’s tree collections provide the Arboretum with some of its most striking characteristics. The Magnolia collection, for example, offers a carpet of pink, yellow and white blossoms in spring. It includes evergreen and deciduous varieties, ranging from the stately Southern Magnolia to National Arboretum introductions, each offering unique textures and colors. Here, the beetles pollinate the flowers, showing us that that these trees evolved before bees. We can also observe tree identification tags and careful pruning techniques.
Topics of study offered: Tree ID, Tree adaptations, Biodiversity studies, Tree Care, Integrated Pest Management
“Cylburn is a hidden gem. The wide variety of trees in their collections and the fantastic new nature education center allow me to use the Arboretum as a living laboratory for the botany classes I teach at Towson University. Many of my students have grown up in Baltimore but have never been to Cylburn, and I love being able to introduce them to this amazing place that is part of their city.”
–Vanessa Beauchamp, Professor, Dept of Biological Sciences, Towson University
“Cylburn is a special space in Baltimore City. The combination of woodlands, a wide variety of trees in maintained areas, classroom areas, and the Nature Education Center provide a unique opportunity to help educate residents about trees.”
–Fred Chalfant, Urban Forester TreeBaltimore, Baltimore City Forestry Division
*It should be noted that Cylburn does indeed also have several traditional classrooms as well as lecture and conference spaces that serve a variety of purposes! The Vollmer center offers a wonderful space for lectures and conferences. The Greenhouse classroom and NEC classroom offer structured indoor classroom space with access to white-boards and projector screens. The NEC teaching garden even features an outdoor classroom space. However, for the purposes of this article, we focused on the nontraditional teaching spaces that Cylburn provides.
Student examining a specimen tree.
Wednesday Walk participant learn about Champion Trees.
Students “getting to know” a tree in meet-a-tree game
NOTES FROM THE COLLECTION
By Brent “Fig” Figlestahler, Head Gardener
Each spring and autumn, we here at Cylburn Arboretum have the great good fortune of adding woody plants, trees in this case, to our collection. Helping to select, plant, and care for trees for the enjoyment, education, and general benefit of Baltimore City is one of the greatest joys of this vocation. Below are some of the spring additions for 2024 and a bit of curatorial insight into how these new trees fit into our collections.
Aesculus flava, Yellow Buckeye
Southeastern Pennsylvania marks the northern boundary for this species’ Eastern range. Reaching heights up to 75 feet, A. flava is the largest of the buckeyes. Legend has it that our very own Mr. Moudry, BCRP’s first Chief Horticulturist, used to propagate A. flava from the trees forming an allée along Druid Hill Promenade near the Rawlings Conservatory. Our recent accession will one day enchant Cylburn’s entry gate with yellow blooms and husked fruit making landfall this time of year.
Quercus macrocarpa, Bur Oak
As a young Boy Scout, I camped unknowingly under the famous Bur Oaks of Bur Oak State Park in Southern Ohio. While Q. macrocarpa is primarily found in the Ohio River Valley and surrounds, there are endemic populations in Western Maryland. This oak is part of the white oak group, where it is one of the faster growing of the group. This is not much of a speed record claim as oaks tend to grow slowly in general. The real charm of this tree lies in its massive acorns, the biggest of any native oak. Our recent addition sits on a dry slope along the Mansion Way where it will eventually cast shade on the asphalt below.
Acer saccharum subsp nigrum
‘Green Column’, Green Column Black Maple
When first introduced to the Black Maple, I was taught that the tree was Acer nigrum The APG, or Angiosperm Phylogeny Group, is likely responsible for the reclassification of Acer nigrum as a subspecies of Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum). Green Column was discovered in Iowa in 1959, long before any name changes by the taxonomists. This also happens to be the year work commenced on Cylburn’s now historic greenhouses. As a resilient tree, tempered by Midwestern weather extremes, the Green Column Black Maple will fit into our existing planting of heat-tolerant sugar maples visible just outside the Vollmer Center windows.
Liriodendron tulipifera ‘Glen Gold’, Glen Gold Tulip Tree
Cylburn has a forest full of Tulip Trees. However, Cylburn’s collection only has a few Liriodendron Glen Gold is a cultivar known for its yellow to chartreuse new growth each spring and early summer. The coloring matures to a speciestypical green by mid-summer. This particular addition to our collection is meant to be a successive replacement to the huge Tulip Tree on our entry road. It is sighted in a gap between trees prominently visible from the bend in the pedestrian path. Of special importance to me, this tree is also a memorial tree in honor of the late Roger Redden, a Maryland native and prominent amateur botanist, co-founder of the “Beltway Botany” study group which met every Saturday morning for many years to learn from Elmer Worthley.
Acer negundo
‘Kelly’s Gold’, Kelly’s Gold Box Elder
Woof! Box Elder – what a weed. Acer negundo, disguised with leaves resembling poison ivy, is sure to crop up in all the unwanted locations for any gardener lucky enough to garden along a forest edge. Cylburn’s woodland edges are full of them. Kelly’s Gold is a glowing yellow cultivar that leaps from the landscape like a highlighted passage on paper. Bringing with it the benefit of a locally significant native plant, our A. negundo has been sited on the periphery of our maple collection, positioned in a way to add a little light and levity to the mundane viewshed. Interestingly, this is the only maple with divided leaves, each having 3-5 leaflets. This is also the host plant for the box elder bug, a true bug, that, along with entering people’s homes this time of year, provides a huge source of food within the local food chain.
Each of these trees has been tagged with an accession tag which displays an accession number, the botanical name, and the date planted. These tags are used for record-keeping within our collection. One very important requirement of arboreta is the maintenance of data surrounding the addition (accessioning) and subtraction (deaccessioning) of woody plants. We strive to know and track each tree’s planting date, size, and provenance, or origin. The degree of provenance information required varies from one arboretum to another and can include the grower or nursery identity, the seed source, or even the latitude and longitude of a collection site anywhere in the world. We hope the public appreciates our effort and the accessibility of plant names; however, this practice is also in support of the Arboretum’s use by the scientific community both today and in the future. Please leave all tags on trees and kindly return any tags found on the grounds.
We are just now headed into our autumn planting season. Stay tuned for what we will be planting next!
By Brooke Fritz, Executive Director
In September we celebrated one year since the grand opening of our Nature Education Center. We have continued to introduce new, hands-on components to our space to bring the wonders of the natural world to life for visitors of all ages. We want to be sure that, whether you’re a regular visitor or coming for the first time, there’s something new for you to enjoy!
OUR PUPPET THEATER: Thanks to Max Niebauer, an Eagle Scout from Troop 1000, our charming Puppet Theater has been installed. Designed for young children (and the young at heart), this interactive space allows visitors to watch or participate in puppet play with woodland creatures on a stage designed to look like a tree trunk.
BUILDING BLOCKS: Camp Small produced a set of building blocks for our exhibit hall, made from fallen Baltimore City trees. Visitor Service Volunteer (VSV) David Blois smoothed them down for little hands and fingers. We enjoy watching visitors build towers, houses and other creative structures – so much fun with nature’s building blocks.
BARK & WOOD SAMPLES: Ever wondered what makes a tree’s bark feel rough or smooth, or how different types of wood vary in texture and scent? At our Bark and Wood samples station, visitors can get up close and personal with a variety of wood samples from trees they can also find at Cylburn. Bonus: these samples have tree tags like the tags we use in the wider Arboretum.
POP-UP DISPLAYS: You might have seen our Pop-Up Luna Moth display or our Pop-Up Feather display; these and other Pop-Up displays give visitors the opportunity to learn about seasonal events happening at the Arboretum. Our Luna Moth display featured vivid, larger-than-life images and real specimens of the Luna moth, accompanied by fun facts about their life cycle, habitat, and role in the ecosystem. We all enjoyed watching these delicate insects emerge.
We invite you to visit the Nature Education Center to explore these new additions and experience the magic of nature firsthand. See you soon, and happy exploring!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
DECEMBER 5: Gardeners Workshop
DECEMBER 7: Holiday Greens Sale
DECEMBER 10: Tree Time
DECEMBER 13: Horticulture Culture
DECEMBER 19: Wednesday Walk
NEC DROP-IN PROGRAMMING EVERY SATURDAY AT 11AM
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.
