The Annual Tree Run

We had a nice "mini-convoy" this morning to Sunset Acres Tree Farm in Stoughton, WI. The owners, Dwight and Deb, generously donated more pines from their farm for our 2014 Holiday Lights Show (HLS). They also donated last year and we greatly appreciate their generosity in supporting this fundraiser. Check out www.sunsetacrestreefarm.com for information on their neat set-up out there. In the photo above, Dwight and Deb are the handsome couple at the far left in front of Big John (with the goofy hat). Our "tree acquisition team" also consisted of Dick H., Larry H., Bob K. and Larry O. Some of the action can be seen below. There was also plenty of action back at the gardens with gardening, HLS work, etc. I'm shy on volunteer photos from the gardens today due to my road trip but I know it was another productive day.

Aside from Larry and John going on the tree run, we also had Cheryl and Janice holding down the fort. Cheryl worked primarily in the Scottish garden continuing clean-up efforts and Janice helped facilitate the volunteers this morning, worked in the Thomas Jefferson Collection, decorated obelisks with lights, etc. Pat was in both this morning and this afternoon to continue work on his second "Tower of Power" out in the gardens. Both Larry and John had afternoon duties as well and I was able to run some cords after lunch and catch up on desk work. All I can smell is the pine sap which is "Mother Nature's cologne" today. Below are additional images from today.

fall color of Golden Raindrops crabapple (Malus 'Schmidtcutleaf') - woody tree

orange fall color on American smoketree (Cotinus obovatus) - woody tree

yellow fall color on 'Heronswood Globe' katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) - woody tree

yellowing fall color on 'Dawyck Gold' upright European beech (Fagus sylvatica) - woody tree

neat fall color on 'Purple Haze' filbert (Corylus hybrida) - large woody shrub

Above are the "yet to get fall color" leaves of the variegated sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus 'Variegatus'). There were many volunteers helping today but I'm a bit disconnected on all the activities. However, I know that Kathy, Eva, Sue and Peg worked on garden clean up all morning and continue to augment our growing compost pile with additional materials. Bob C. and Gary B. worked on putting lights on our arches and Alan and Ron P. worked on leaf collection as well. Ron P. started the morning with some lights repair too. Del worked on multiple indoor projects. Jim and Dave continued work on the elf house and Ken finished painting the giant candy canes which are now ready for lights. Dick H., Larry H. and Bob K. were on our tree run and Dr. Gredler did his mowing rounds. We also saw Hal, Sallye and many others today. I'm sure I forgot or missed some volunteers but I was sure happy with all the progress! Maury ran errands including picking up a giant rental screen for our Fall Symposium which will be held this Saturday. Entitled Wee, Wild & Woody, this event will feature Neil Diboll of Prairie Nursery (Westfield, WI), Ed Lyon (Director at Allen Centennial Gardens) and Dave Wanninger (Boerner Botanical Gardens). Should be a great day. Below are some additional photos from this afternoon.