Saturday, March 27, 2010, Rotary Botanical Gardens, Janesville
Garden enthusiasts and tree lovers are invited to Rotary Botanical Gardens' 7th Annual Garden Symposium. This year's emphasis on trees takes an atypical look at trees' roles in our landscapes- no presentation on "the best to plant" this year! This symposium takes a practical look at trees in regards to safety, longevity, pest issues, and landscape design. A great selection of renowned speakers are again joining us for the day. We hope you do, too!
Saturday, March 27, 2010, Rotary Botanical Gardens, Janesville
Garden enthusiasts and tree lovers are invited to Rotary Botanical Gardens’ 7th Annual Garden Symposium. This year’s emphasis on trees takes an atypical look at trees’ roles in our landscapes- no presentation on “the best to plant” this year! This symposium takes a practical look at trees in regards to safety, longevity, pest issues, and landscape design. A great selection of renowned speakers are again joining us for the day. We hope you do, too!
8:00am, Check-in begins
8:45am, Welcome and introductions
Mike Maddox, Director of Education, Rotary Botanical Gardens
9:00am, New Tools for Tree Decay Detection:
Dr. R. Bruce Allison, Allison Tree Care, Inc.
Trees play an important role in the health of the environment and the beauty of our neighborhoods, but can become hazardous and deadly with the formation of decay inside the trunks. Dr. Allison explores the use of new technology in the idenfitication of the hidden dangers in our urban forest.
10:15am, Managing Trees in a Changing Climate:
Guy Sternberg, Starhill Forest Arboretum
Most scientists agree that our climate is becoming increasingly unstable, even if a few still doubt the extent of the role our own species is playing in the process. How will this affect our most treasured and permanent landscape plants – our trees? Why should we be concerned, and what should we do? Learn about things such as proxy data; clinal variation; natural climate cycling; the importance of species, provenance, and diversity; and some expected trends for our landscapes of the coming century. Come away better prepared for the uncertain future of your environment.
Noon: Lunch
1:00pm, Insect Pests of the Urban Forest- A retrospective:
Phill Pellitteri, Distinguished Outreach Specialist, UW-Extension
Emerald Ash Borer damages millions of ash trees each year but it’s not the first insect pest to wreak havoc in our urban forests. Reflect on our past battles with other 6-legged critters and their effect on the trees in our landscape and our management practices.
2:30pm, Landscaping for Energy Efficiency:
Mark Dwyer, Director of Horticulture, Rotary Botanical Gardens
Properly selected and positioned landscape plants can not only make a home or business look good but can also help reduce both summer cooling and winter heating costs. We will discuss the selection and proper location of hardy, aesthetic trees, shrubs and other landscape materials with the intent of maximizing energy efficiency of the adjacent structure. Additional landscape ideas for energy efficiency will also be discussed.
4:00pm, Door prize drawing / silent auction closes / adjourn.
Silent auction items graciously provided by Klehm’s Song Sparrow Nursery
Early-bird Registration (before March 1, 2010)
- $50 General Public
- $45 RBG member
Registration (after March 1, 2010)
- $60 General Public
- $55 RBG member
Download registration forms (2 pages, PDF)
Plants can both look good and taste good. With limited budgets, we’re all looking for cost-effective ornamental plants that offer more than one feature of interest. Coupled with the recent resurgence in home vegetable gardening, your plant selections can be ornamental edibles. These plants, whether in the flower border, container or elsewhere in the landscape can be visually beautiful but can have function as a vegetable or herb. The benefits of including ornamental edibles in the garden include cost savings, food safety, broad selection and of course, lots of fun to grow, observe and consume!
Do you want more plants? Of course you do! Learn how to successfully make more plants from the leaves and stems of some garden favorites.