Frigid Warming to Cool

This morning was quite chilly at 39 degrees F. I'm between jacket thicknesses depending on the morning and went with one a little too thin. We had light frost on the metal roof of our Horticulture Center. The day was sunny and became pleasant although cool. Above is the fall color of white oak (Quercus alba) which can also be quite variable but is dyanamite this year. It was crazy today. The Grumpies helped set up for our Halloween Walk which starts tonight. Set up included putting up tents, running out tables and chairs, placing Jack O' lanterns along the paths, etc. It takes a good day to set everything up and we hope for good crowds. The event involves groups being led thru the gardens to hear various stories. The intent isn't to be scary but a little spooky (and entertaining). Spotlight on Kids, a local non-profit acting troupe for kids, plans, arranges and performs all of the skits.

We had our irrigation lines "blown out" today with a large compressor. We have an irrigation service that helps us out and does both a spring and fall check. This is essential so our irrigation lines and sprinkler heads don't freeze and crack due to surplus water left prior to hard freezing. Our system will be turned back on in April. Larry helped with the process and is certainly the most knowledgeable about our extensive system of 40+ zones on four computerized timers. Jerry cleaned up debris, pruned and mowed the arboretum. Janice helped clear debris from the sunken garden and worked with a high school group that comes in every week to help out. They counted and sorted our tulip bulbs out for fall planting during our Saturday work day this weekend. The tree to the upper left with the golden fall color is the only striped bark maple (Acer pennsylvanicum) native to the United States (Eastern U.S.). The rest are native to various parts of Asia. The bark is green with vertical white striations. The leaves are also quit interesting. The image to the right is from another striped bark maple hybrid called 'White Tigress'. I'll show some neat bark pictures of these in the future. Bark can be quite an ornamental feature in and of itself. Nice shot of some sumac (Rhus sp.) below taken at the UW-Arboretum this past weekend.