It’s been a challenge to identify just 25 trees for labels, but we’ve come to realize just 25 trees labeled is a huge volunteer effort!
Rest-Stop-Ranch will offer 6 Guided Tours by Appointment, which will introduce plantings beyond the labeled 25 plants, such as the 100 accessible roses, and lilac collection, which may or may not have a form of labeling.
The following 25+ trees, shrubs, and woody vines have been approved for labels:
Tree: ’Pee Gee’ Hydrangea
Tree: Japanese White Peach
Tree: Douglas Fir
Tree: Katsura
Tree: American Holly, female & male (Evergreen Tour)
Shrub: Raspberries
Tree: Arborvitae
Tree: Weeping Cherry
Shrub: Lilac – Maiden’s Blush (Lilac Tour; changed Miss Kim b/c access rope)
Tree: Apple – Honey Crisp (Orchard Tour)
Tree: Dwarf Umbrella Pine
Tree: American Elm Trees
Tree: Magnolia – Star
Tree: Redbud – Weeping White Waterfall
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Shrub: Rose – (Rose Tour)
Woody Vine (a) – Climbing Hydrangea (Pollinator Tour) (16)
Tree Group: Red Pine
Tree Group: Eastern White Pine
Tree: Golden Rain Tree
Tree: Silver Maple
Tree: ‘Blaze’ Maple
Woody Vine (b) – Dutchman’s Pipe (Butterfly Habitat Area)
Woody Vine (c) – 5 Flavor Berry (Chinese)
Shrub: Witch Hazel ‘Diane’
Shrub Group: Evergreen Street Screen (Rhodo Capistrano, Boxwood ‘Green Mountain’, Blue Prince & Princess Holly, Mountain Laurel)
Our Volunteer Team
Mary: Project Director
Beth Ford: Project Assistant (managing the inventory of Front Loop trees & shrubs via excel spreadsheet; assisting with achieving project milestones)
Anna Goiz: Ethnobotany Student (NSCC intern) assisting in writing up FUN FACTS for each selection, which may include: World Origin; Human uses (shelter, fire, clothing, food, medicine, art, etc.)
Kevin Ruttan: Print Artist
Project Update/Status
Anna and I have tagged all 25 plants to be included in our 25 labeled trees/specimens. At least 1 plant from each of 7 horticultural areas was selected, for a well-spaced distribution of signage along the 0.1 mile wheelchair-accessible Front Loop Trail. We expect to finish with this first phase by AUGUST 15.
Project Overview
The Morton Arboretum (ARBNET- https://www.arbnet.org/) is mentoring us with this project and certification. Thanks again to Lisa Delissio, PhD, Botany Teacher and Consultant, who recommended this certification to increase Rest-Stop-Ranch Sustainability. To set expectations, the work we’re doing right now is the ground work, for the first version of a “Level 1 Arboretum for All People.” All Garden Guests & RSR Team, will be included in the design process (feedback is welcome and critical during the 1st year of this experiment). All signs, including basic markers set today, are accessible to wheelchair-users from the hardscape trail. The materials we’re using right now include: bamboo stakes, twine, plastic plant tags, and ziplock bags for waterproofing any additional info. on index cards/card-board, then we will edit info to fit onto a more permanent weatherproof sign with large black text on a white background.
First Phase Expectations
By August 15
PLANTS
25 trees, shrubs, or groups, have been selected and researched for all key info to be included on a weatherproof sign. The info is represented on a word doc, as well as excel spreadsheet. Edited word versions are pasted onto paper index cards for approximate info/space understanding.
PEOPLE
We will begin reaching out to our target groups for Inclusion and User Feedback:
– Wheelchair-Users and Care-Partners
– Low Vision & Blind Groups
Second Phase Expectations
By October 15
PEOPLE
We will continue reaching out to our target groups for Inclusion and User Feedback:
– Wheelchair-Users and Care-Partners
– Low Vision & Blind Groups
We will work with Kevin and Karl on a weatherproof solution for the 25 signs to be displayed from Fall 2025 – Fall 2026, as a 1st year experiment.
Plant Selection Process
My decision to include a specimen or group was based on one or more of the following:
A. The plant is a “frequently asked question: what is this?”
Area 1: Cut Flowers: Pee Gee Hydrangea Tree
Most asked about in the Fall, when the flowers are most beautiful.
(planted pre-KM ownership; very old).
Area 2: Roses & Kitchen Garden: Dutchman’s Pipe Vine
This is the 1 labeled plant in the Butterfly Habitat Area. It’s huge leaves form a sheltered habitat for the pipevine swallowtail, also known as the blue swallowtail, Battus philenor.
(KM planted, est. 2015).
B. The plant is a unique and significant specimen in the area, with a large or old presence…
Area 3: Orchard Ave. Douglas Fir Tree
The only large evergreen tree along the Orchard Ave.
(planted pre-KM ownership; quite old).
Area 4: Ornamental Trees & Shrubs: Katsura Tree
The largest tree we have planted since 2010.
(KM planted, est. 2010).
Area 7: Koi Pond: American Holly Trees
These two evergreen trees anchor one of two sitting areas, and help define the Koi Pond as a unique room/experience area.
(planted pre-KM ownership; very old).
C. The plant is the only plant, the feature planting, or overwhelming presence in the area
Area 5: Raspberry Patch: Red Raspberry Canes ‘Heritage’
Planted in memory of Margaret F MacDonald (Mary’s mom/her favorite summer fruit).
(KM planted, est. 2010).
Area 6: Cedar Grove & Tunnel: Arbor Vitae Evergreen Trees
Former road hedge.
(planted pre-KM ownership; very old).
