|
Text by: Betty Besal, Lexington
City Arborist |
| Sponsors:
Tree Committee of Historic Lexington Foundation, Boxerwood,
the National Tree Trust, the Virginia Department of Forestry, and First
Union Bank. |
| These are thumbnail
images: Click on
each of them to get a better view! |
| Malus 'Red
Jade' - (Red Jade Crabapple) |
 |
Hundreds
of types of crabapples are available, varying in size, form (weeping or
upright), flower color and leaf color, fruit, and most importantly,
disease resistance. Careful pruning has accentuated this tree's
architecture; its fruit are relished by birds. |
| Acer griseum -
(Paperbark Maple) |
 |
Imagine
this tree's gorgeous cinnamon bark against white snow! Paperbark maple
is truly a tree for all seasons, its blue-green summer leaves turning to
brilliant red in the fall. This maple stays small (20 - 30 ft.
tall), tolerates a wide range of soil types, and works well as a lawn
tree, in groupings, or even in the shrub border. |
| Picea omorika
'Pendula' (Weeping Serbian Spruce) |
 |
Here
is a spruce that tolerates our heat and humidity (not all do). With its
slender shape and drooping, slightly twisted branches, 'Pendula' is one
of the loveliest cultivars. Other Serbian spruce cultivars have
shapes ranging from conical to round; some have upright branches. |
| Abies
nebrodensis (Sicilian Fir) |
 |
Firs
prefer a cooler climate with more atmospheric moisture than what we have
here. (Imagine the higher NC mountains.) However, with
careful site selection, they can grow well. This fir seems to be
thriving in its pond-side location with some shade from the afternoon
sun. The fir is the tallest, light green tree in the picture. |
| Chaemaecyparis
obtusa (Hinoki Falsecypress) |
 |
Numerous
varied and beautiful forms of this evergreen exist. Two are seen
here: 'Gold Mop' with its thread-like yellow branch tips, and 'Crippsii'
with ferny golden brachlets. Dark green and bluish-leaved
cultivars are also available. Falsecypress prefer moist,
well-drained soil and a site protected from the wind. |
| Acer palmatum
(Japanese Maple) |
 |
Japanese
maples come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, and so can fill
many niches in the garden. Many cultivars are found throughout
Boxerwood. These maples can be pruned to maintain their
size, and also are wonderful trees for container growing. Ideally,
they prefer dapple shade and soil high in organic matter, but are
tolerant of both full sun and deeper shade. |
| Taxus species
(Yews) |
|
On
this walk, you will pass a marvelous variety of yews: some upright and
almost tree-like, some shrubby in shape, and some low-growing
groundcovers. 'Westbury' is one of the shrubby upright types.
All yews need well-drained soil, but will thrive in sun or shade our of
hard winds. Yews are toxic to many animals, but are relished by
deer. |
 |
| Ilex verticillata
(Winterberry) |
 |
A
number of these deciduous hollies are found in the
Gardens, especially around the pond. Look for their persistent red
berries shinning through the bare stems of trees and against the tans of
last season's foliage. Some of these berries will last well into
the winter. Deciduous hollies appreciate, but do not demand a wet
site. You can find cultivars in nurseries varying in height from 3
to 15 feet. |
| Liquidunbar
styraciflua 'Corky' (Corky Sweetgum) |
 |
 This
tree is stunning in fall with rose-red leaves, but its fascination
continues in winter when its winged bark is fully revealed.
Most sweetgums have some corky growth on twigs, but Corky's bark is over
the top! All sweetgums require lots of root run to thrive. |
| Cryptomeria
japonica (Japanese Cedar) |
 |
Here
is an evergreen with graceful bearing, beautiful red bark, and
blue-green needles clasped closely to the stem. The needles may
develop a bronze or reddish color during cold weather.
Cryptomerias make beautiful specimen trees, or may be grouped for
screening. |
| Acer buergerianum
(Trident maple) |
 |
A
smaller (35 ft.) maple that transcends the  seasons, trident maple has
scorch-proof, lustrous leaves, becoming red and yellow with fall.
Notice that platy, multi-colored bark and the wonderful form of this
outstanding tree. |
| Acer pensylanicum
(Striped maple) |
 |
After its spectacular golden fall foliage, you can enjoy the greenish and
white bark of this native maple
all winter long. Striped maple prefers woodland edges with moist
soil and part sun to shade. It is a smaller maple, with a
mature height of 20 - 30 feet. |
