LA County Arboretum Nears Peak

Crepe Myrtle, LACArboretum (11/21/15) Frank McDonough

Sweet gum, red maple, Chinese tallow and San Gabriel Mountains, LAC Arboretum (11/22/15) Frank McDonough

Birch, LAC Arboretum (11/22/15) Frank McDonough

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve mislabeled or just didn’t know what kind of tree appears in one of the photos posted on this site.

That’s why I enjoy visiting arboretums.  At arboretums, trees are well-marked.  The ones in nature don’t have a plaque at the base of their trunks with their common and latin names engraved on it.  At an arboretum, they do.

I own several plant identification books, but visiting an arboretum shows me what the tree will really look like when it’s fully grown.  “So, that’s what it means to be 70′ tall,” I’ve muttered to myself while looking at a tree I’d mistakenly thought would be right for my yard.

For anyone who loves trees, their great size, the beauty of their heavy, twisted branches, or how mature trees attract us to them, visiting an arboretum is endlessly fascinating.

California fan palm and ash, LAC Arboretum (11/22/15) Frank McDonough

Chinese tallow, LAC Arboretum (11/22/15) Frank McDonough

This week is the week to visit California’s arboretums.  Their associated botanic gardens are mostly dormant, but the arboretums are full of color.

Frank McDonough reports the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden in Arcadia is nearing peak and should be prime for the next two weeks.

Seen among his photographs are delicately stemmed crepe myrtle, a variety of colorful trees taken from Myberg Falls toward the San Gabriel Mountains, birch draping a garden path, a California fan palm beside full peak ash, and Chinese tallow (also known as the Florida aspen).

California has nearly 20 arboretums, in nearly every corner of the state.  All are beautiful places to find solace and to learn more about the native and exotic trees growing throughout our state. CLICK HERE for a list of them.

Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden