ReLeaf 2014 at Hofstra: First order of business, hugging our friends and colleagues! Here, Nancy Needham, Chairwoman of the Manlius Tree Commission and Andy Hillman of the Davey Resource Group.
Next order of business: learn your way around. TAKING ROOT Editor Michelle Sutton’s first time at Hofstra.
Next, get settled into super comfy digs and enjoy the view from the 10th floor. Start to realize that the Hofstra Campus is a horticultural Disneyland.
Take in the wonderment that is Zone 7b, allowing for marvels like crape myrtle.
Get drawn into courtyard after magical courtyard on this 240-acre campus/arboretum, a member of the American Public Gardens Association with more than 12,000 trees representing 625 species and varieties. Have lots of burning questions for Arboretum Director Fred Soviero, like, how many staff do you have to do all this work?! (Turns out it is 20 year-round folks.)
Get to know Elmira horticulturist Paul DiPietro …
and Council Secretary and Fayetteville Tree Commission Chairperson Pat Tobin …
and Council Executive Secretary Betty Shimo, who has been coordinating excellent Council conferences for more than a decade.
Meet the dynamic DEC State Urban Forestry Program Manager Mary Kramarchyk …
… and Mary’s phenomenal program assistant, Sally Kellogg.
Become mesmerized by the cones of pond cypress, Taxodium ascendens.
To be Continued!