Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Tree Tour

On Saturday, Ed Richardson led a tour of about 60 people around Elizabeth Park while Ed pointed out the notable trees in the park.  Ed calls himself a volunteer tree spotter and he is a leader of the Notable Tree Committee of the Connecticut Botanical Society.   Elizabeth Park was donated to the City of Hartford by Charles and Elizabeth Pond in 1902.  Fredrick Law Olmstead had a hand in laying out the park.  Many of the big trees in the park were planted in the first few years that the city owned the park.
The tree the group is looking at, however, is only about 50 years old.  It is a rare Dawn Redwood, planted around 1960.  It is already 100 feet high and Richardson estimates that it will grow to about 200 feet.

If the woman with the red hat in the center turned around, she would have the view from which I have been shooting the Annual Garden here, here and here. 

at

26 comments:

  1. KateMay 17, 2011 at 9:03 AM

    The tree already is of magnificent size. And, it looks like a goodly number of citizens are interested in their environment. Thanks for the links to your previous posts. What a difference from one season to another. Kudos to the people who are responsible for that lovely splash of colour.

    ReplyDelete
  2. SharonMay 17, 2011 at 10:12 AM

    Looks like those wonderful tulips are framed by those big lush trees. Such a wonderful setting.

    ReplyDelete
  3. jooMay 17, 2011 at 10:19 AM

    It must have been really interesting tour - I love trees!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sylvia KMay 17, 2011 at 10:23 AM

    It is a beautiful setting and what a lovely tree! The tulips are so colorful! Terrific capture for the day, Jack, as always! Wishing you a great day with lots of sunshine!!

    Sylvia

    ReplyDelete
  5. LoisMay 17, 2011 at 10:24 AM

    Sounds like my kind of tour!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Leif HagenMay 17, 2011 at 10:29 AM

    Ed, you tree champion you!
    I love the second photo with all the tulips - lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  7. MalyssMay 17, 2011 at 10:49 AM

    A tree tour, what a good idea!Old and big trees seem to be like ancient and wise people to me..

    ReplyDelete
  8. lizziviggiMay 17, 2011 at 11:17 AM

    Oh, it's just beautiful! We have many trees here, but no notable ones that I'm aware of.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Genie -- Paris and BeyondMay 17, 2011 at 11:27 AM

    I think that this is wonderful. Quite often when I travel and ask someone "what kind of tree" they do not know and have been living in that spot their whole life!

    Bises,
    Genie

    ReplyDelete
  10. KarlMay 17, 2011 at 12:07 PM

    Very beautiful, a tulips heaven!

    ReplyDelete
  11. AmandaMay 17, 2011 at 12:11 PM

    Tulips - my favourite flower, so simple & beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  12. youth_in_asiaMay 17, 2011 at 12:23 PM

    That's a large tree considering it's so (relatively) young. The texture reminds me a little of Coast Redwoods in California. It's nice to see an event like this so well attended. It's also great that the park has been so well cared for.

    ReplyDelete
  13. RedPatMay 17, 2011 at 1:20 PM

    Lovely trees in the park. Your links set the stage for the tree spot perfectly - now we know right where you were!

    ReplyDelete
  14. cieldequimperMay 17, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    For once I wouldn't mind the crowd, I'd be enthralled.

    ReplyDelete
  15. SRQMay 17, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    Quite a crowd for a tree tour -- impressive. Beautiful wide shot with the tree and the tulips. Thanks for your comment today, Jack. Without patience, I doubt I would have many photos!

    ReplyDelete
  16. VPMay 17, 2011 at 3:24 PM

    If this is a way to learn the names of the trees, just count me in!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oakland Daily PhotoMay 17, 2011 at 3:35 PM

    Isn't it fun to take these kinds of walks? You learn so much. This is the second post I've read this week that has referenced Fredrick Law Olmstead. He's considered to be America's first landscape architect and locally designed Golden Gate Park and Oakland's Mt. View Cemetery. He's a featured personality in Devil in the White City (a really good read) about the 1893 Chicago World's Fair (well, and a serial killer who operated during the fair). But I digress.

    ReplyDelete
  18. VirginiaMay 17, 2011 at 3:50 PM

    We have so many beautiful trees here in B'ham, but unfortunately the storms have toppled too many!

    You asked about the Blurb book on my blog today. I guess it wasn't too clear! Sorry. I just meant that if any of my readers had a favorite Paris Rouge photo that I had posted, to let me know so I could be sure and include it in the book I'm doing on Blurb. I'll probably not sell a one, but I think it will be fun to do it! :)
    V

    ReplyDelete
  19. Regina KMay 17, 2011 at 7:57 PM

    Wish I were in that crowd on this tour.

    ReplyDelete
  20. brattcatMay 17, 2011 at 7:58 PM

    Dawn Redwood...what a beautiful name for a beautiful tree. That Olmstead...he sure knew his way around a garden, didn't he?

    ReplyDelete
  21. LowellMay 17, 2011 at 8:16 PM

    Aha...now I've got a whole different view of that park...I'm impressed all over again. That is one magnificent tree. Probably is more sturdy than a water oak, too!

    I used to have a motorcycle. I'd love to have a Harley. I can't afford a Harley. I'm probably too old, too. You buy one and I'll ride that on occasion. OK?

    ReplyDelete
  22. DawnMay 17, 2011 at 8:59 PM

    A VOLUNTEER TREE-SPOTTER! I Like it!
    Looks like he knows how to work a crowd too;)).....beautiful park!

    ReplyDelete
  23. RandyMay 17, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    That looks like something I would like. Great flowers.

    ReplyDelete
  24. ShannonMay 17, 2011 at 11:28 PM

    that would be a cool tour to participate in, looks like it had a big turn out.

    ReplyDelete
  25. LynetteMay 18, 2011 at 1:11 AM

    Great post, Jack. Thanks for the links to the other posts, too. Love the bull horn!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Cezar and LéiaMay 18, 2011 at 2:25 AM

    I like a lot this idea, as I also love the nature!
    The second composition is so beautiful with those flowers!
    Léia

    ReplyDelete