Archive: Around Town

The F. R. Newman Arboretum at Cornell Plantations is among the 33 arboretums featured in 'Trees Live Here: the Arboretums of America', the first book to be devoted to these very special public gardens. These are beautiful places, often jewels of their communities. Each year, they are visited by millions of people, from parents with strollers to photographers, and from school children to scientists.

Written by a committed lover of trees, life-long Seattle resident Susan McDougall has traveled, mostly by train, with her camera, taken far too many photographs, and combined them with a readable and informative text. One chapter is devoted to each of the 33, ranging from Boston to Honolulu and Seattle to Miami, discussing its individual history, collections, and special trees, along with information for visitors. The book is illustrated with more than 800 photographs by the author and includes an index of plant names.

The cover of 'Trees Live Here' features the Crab Apple collection in the F. R. Newman Arboretum.Introductory chapters consider the history of the arboretum as an institution in America, the landscape architects and designers, arboretum practices, conservation and research, the contribution of arboretums to creating a greener and healthier world, and current issues and challenges.

“I’m passionate about trees. To share my love of these ‘places for trees’ through this book fulfills a real dream,” said McDougall.

Susan McDougall is the author of several books on Pacific Northwest natural history, including two on the plants of Mount Adams and one about the forests of Mount Rainier. She is also an experienced gardener with an eye for landscapes and, beginning in 2005, has operated a small native plant business in Seattle.

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