Comfort zones and cosmopolitan gardens

By Bill Pramuk
Trees and People

In late May, I had the pleasure of visiting New York City for my older son’s college graduation. In addition to the joy of being together with family and friends, I took the opportunity to do some tree-spotting at the parks and community gardens that are sprinkled throughout the city, including a visit to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, a beautiful place I had first learned about more than 25 years ago.

After coming home and reviewing my photographs and notes, it struck me just how cosmopolitan the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is, and for that matter, our gardens here as well. I tend to think  “cosmopolitan” means “big-city dweller” but it actually means “common to the whole world or having constituent elements from many different parts of the world.”

Look at the following sampling of beautiful mature trees I noted, along with their places or origin and adaptability, and you will see what I mean.

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia): From the Appalachian and Ozark mountains, wide range of climate zones, common in Napa Valley as well.

Chinese fringe tree (Chionanthus retusus): From China, Korea, Japan. There are a few nice ones in private gardens in Napa Valley too. It is “...one of the finest accent trees available in the nursery trade”, according to Gilman’s “Trees for Urban and Suburban Landscapes.”

Manchurian Catalpa (Catalpa bungei): From northeast China. A mature specimen about 80 feet tall was in full bloom, with large clusters of pinkish-lilac trumpet-shaped flowers.  Another species of Catalpa, C. speciosa, is fairly common in Napa Valley as well.

Common horsechestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum):  From Albania, Greece, and Bulgaria.  A huge and healthy looking specimen was just finishing its blooming time.

Nutgall tree (Rhus chinensis): From China and Japan. Known for its spectacular orange-red fall color, a low, wide-spreading multi-trunk specimen graces the border near the Lily Pool Terrace.

American yellowwood (Cladrastis kentuckea): Kentucky.  Having fragrant, showy white flowers, it’s adaptable to a wide range of soils. A multi-trunk specimen grows near the Lily Pool Terrace and Steinhardt Conservatory. 

Hybrid crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia X faurei ‘Natchez’): A hybrid with parentage from Japan and China. Common here in California,  a large specimen graces a large bed of perennials.

Weeping Katsuratree (Cercidiphyllum magnificum forma ‘Pendulum’ or C. japonicum ‘Pendula’): From China and Japan. Like a small weeping willow, but with rounded leaves, a choice specimen grows in the Japanese garden. Katsuratrees seem to be gaining popularity in our region, but the weeping form is rare.

Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) From Maryland to Texas and the Mississippi River valley.  A 100’ tall specimen is growing in the Japanese garden. It’s adaptable to Napa Valley as well.

The outdoor collection is, of course, limited to trees and plants that are cold-hardy enough for that zone, (USDA zone 6B, Sunset Zone about 4), where winter lows drop to about 0 degrees F. It’s amazing how so many trees tolerate  a wide range of climate and soil conditions.

In comparison, we humans can survive in a wide range of climates as well. But we do prefer our comfort zones to our discomfort zones. Here are a few I noticed on the trip:

Discomfort Zones:  Get up at 4 a.m. to catch a plane and fly “coach” with a stiff neck in a cramped seat. Get lost in the New York subway system, on the wrong, nearly deserted platform with a strange guy nearby having a loud conversation with himself. Smells of  city sewers and garbage cans on a warm, humid afternoon.

Comfort Zones:  Your bags appear on the luggage carousel. You catch an easy cab ride into the city. That strange guy on the subway platform is oblivious to your presence. A kind stranger helps you find the right subway connection. You have a refreshing drink at a very old and quiet neighborhood restaurant. The Q train pops out into daylight on the Manhattan Bridge and drops you off a short walk from Prospect Park and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Your graduate-son beams in his cap and gown. A good jazz trio holds forth on the sidewalk by Jefferson Park. You have the most tender hot pastrami on rye at Katz’s Deli. Friends and families relax in the shade at Tompkins Square Park. 

One of the nicest things I noticed in general: Lots of little parks and community gardens, well-tended by volunteers. A cosmopolitan population gives time and TLC to maintain a connection with nature in the city.

Bill Pramuk is a registered consulting arborist. Visit his Web site, www.billpramuk.com, send questions to info@billpramuk.com, or call him at 226-2884.

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