America at 250: Tracing the Roots of Liberty |
At the Arnold Arboretum, living trees are studied every day to deepen our understanding of how plants grow, adapt, and evolve. Just as importantly, the Arboretum preserves the stories of individual trees, revealing how closely plant life is intertwined with human history and memory. That connection takes center stage in a recent segment of The Curiosity Desk on WGBH, where Director William (Ned) Friedman joined reporter Hannah Loss and host Edgar B. Herwick III to investigate a botanical mystery: do wood fragments at the Massachusetts Historical Society truly come from Boston’s legendary Liberty Tree? Through careful observation of size, structure, and cellular patterns, Friedman applies plant science to a deceptively simple question with deep historical roots. The inquiry highlights how the language of trees can illuminate centuries-old artifacts, and how trees can serve as cultural touchstones. View the segment to see how science and history meet—and how curiosity can bring the past vividly back to life. |
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Hydrangeas Ignite a Summer Spectacle |
In July, Arboretum hydrangeas invite visitors to indulge in close observation and quiet wonder. Across our landscape, luminous blooms unfurl in remarkable variety—15 species of hydrangea that reveal their own vivid tones in a shared midsummer chorus. Familiar bigleaf hydrangeas shift from blue to pink with the chemistry of the soil, while panicle hydrangeas lift conical blossoms that blush as the weeks pass. Oakleaf hydrangeas provide unique interest with bold foliage and cinnamon-toned bark, while climbing hydrangeas climb surfaces like the Leventritt Garden wall. Together, 150 years of collecting, cultivation, and care are manifested in these living specimens—from early accessions to introductions shaped by discovery and experimentation. Along Linden Path or tucked within garden borders, hydrangeas reward lingering attention. Their changing colors, textures, and forms capture not only the height of summer, but the Arboretum’s enduring commitment to plants that tell stories across seasons. |
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Print with Nature: Summer Cyanotypes |
Celebrate creativity in nature at the Arboretum with “Make Your Own Cyanotypes,” a hands-on, drop-in program that invites visitors of all ages to make striking blue-and-white prints using sunlight and plant forms. On Saturday, July 11 from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm, visitors are invited to experiment with this striking art form that transforms leaves, flowers, and other foraged materials into luminous, Prussian-blue impressions. Whether you’re an experienced artist or simply curious, cyanotype printing offers a unique way to see our collections and the botanical world anew. Stop by, explore, and let our plants and landscape inspire your imagination. All materials will be provided, making it easy to participate spontaneously and create a one-of-a-kind keepsake to take home. Support for free creativity programming for children and families is made possible by generous funding from the Catherine Hannon Auchincloss Creativity Fund. |
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The Arboretum’s rolling meadows, wooded slopes, and carefully stewarded collections create something rare in the city—a place where birds can be observed in naturalistic habitat. Here, the sounds of traffic fade behind birdsong, and even a short walk reveals a diversity of avian encounters. The Arboretum offers a mosaic of habitats that attract diverse bird life, from nesting sites in mature trees to shelter in dense shrubs. July brings rich chances to explore birdlife across our vibrant landscape. Register for a guided Birding Walk on Saturday, July 11 at 8:00am to learn more about northeastern bird species, their unique calls, and some of their behaviors in urban settings. If a Sunday exploration is more to your liking, register for Birding at the Arboretum on Sunday, July 12 at 8:00am for fresh perspectives on the birds in our living ecosystem. In every visit, the Arboretum invites you to slow down and commune with nature. Whether you are an experienced birder or a curious beginner, our landscape offers unexpected encounters that bring the natural world into focus. |
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