The Making of An Arboretum

Event Location: Merryspring Nature Center, Camden/Rockport, Maine

Event Date/Time:  Saturday, June 15, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.

Photo Caption:  Doug Johnson

Merryspring Nature Center will offer a program titled “The Making of An Arboretum,” on Saturday, June 15, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. featuring arborists Nancy Caudle-Johnson and Douglas N. Johnson of Camden-based TREEKEEPERS LLC.

The presentation begins in the educational center, followed by a guided Arboretum walk.  It will address the topics of what exactly constitutes an Arboretum, how are they created, and why they matter, focusing on the Kitty Todd Arboretum Enhancement Project.

In 2016, Merryspring was awarded a Project Canopy planning grant from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry to fund the renovation and improvement of the Kitty Todd Arboretum.  Merryspring hired TREEKEEPERS to provide expertise and work with Merryspring staff to plan and implement the project.

Arborist Douglas Johnson identified, flagged, and tagged native species trees within the Arboretum area and keyed them to a trail map; located and flagged invasive trees and shrubs for removal identified non-native trees to be removed; recommended native species to plant to augment the collection; and developed maintenance requirements for each of the labeled specimens.

Additional TREEKEEPERS’recommendations included: restoring the scenic Goose River overlook from the wooded knoll; extending the Yellow Birch Trail to the specimen red maple; and selectively thinning trees to increase light availability for labeled specimens.

Merryspring has since installed beautiful new Arboretum signage identifying each specimen and has developed a new Arboretum guide and trail map.  The project was successful in fulfilling its goals to enhance the visitor experience and expand educational opportunities.

In recognition of Merryspring’s successful completion of the Arboretum project, TREEKEEPERS LLC awarded its 2017 Legacy Grant for Tree Preservation to Merryspring to stabilize and maintain the Magestic Red Maple at the terminus of the Yellow Birch Trail – one of the largest red maples in Maine and a signature tree in the Kitty Todd Arboretum.