Witches in the Garden

            Halloween has recently passed and by now most witches have likely ridden their brooms to live in obscurity until next October 31. A few, however, take on year-round residence in my garden with my complete blessing. Before you tie me to a stake and light a match, let me explain.             Parts of plants …

Why is my Pine Tree Dying?

             Austrian Pine (Pinus nigra) is one of the most commonly planted pines. It is fast growing, soil tolerant, and makes an excellent wind break or screening plant. Its needles are dark green, thick, and four to six inches long, appearing in bundles of two. In its native habitat it can grow to over 100 …

Bristlecone Pine (Pinus aristata and Pinus longaeva)

                What once was one species has now been divided into two. Pinus aristata is the Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine and is found at elevations of 7500 to 12,000 feet in Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. Pinus longaeva, called the Great Basin Bristlecone Pine, grows in California, Nevada, and Utah at heights of 5600 to …

Pinus cembra (Arolla Pine, Swiss Stone Pine)

                The first time I saw Pinus cembra at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL I fell in love with it. When I saw the same plant 50 years later, it was still looking good and only solidified my first impression. The tight pyramidal form and slow growth rate makes it the perfect pine for …

Pinus mugo ‘Amber Gold’

Pinus mugo 'Amber Gold' originated in a batch of seedlings at Ferny Creek Nursery in Australia. The golden winter color, which changes to almost green in the summer is highly unusual, but not totally unique. There are other conifers that do the same. Why does this happen? According to Bob Fincham, one of the top …

Sir Joseph Banks: Plant Explorer

As was true for many of the explorers of the 18th and 19th centuries, Joseph Banks (1743-1820) was born to wealthy parents. He was the son of William Banks, a member of the English House of Commons, and his wife Sarah. As a boy, Banks enjoyed exploring the Lincolnshire countryside where he developed a keen …

White Pine is Meshed in Wisconsin History

There are three pines native to the state of Wisconsin: Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana), Red Pine (Pinus resinosa), and Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus). All three have been harvested for timber and pulp, but the one most valued for its wood and as an ornamental is the White Pine. Eastern White Pine is a northern …