If you frequent the grounds of Wellfield, you might have noticed something missing. This week, we removed the last ornamental pear from the property and replaced it with a hard to find Liriodendron tulipifera ‘Little Volunteer’ (tulip poplar). This cultivar of the Indiana state tree does not grow as big or wide as the species, and as you’ll see in the slideshow, it fits the Bridge Garden quite nicely. Removal and planting both required a small backhoe to get to the hard to reach location.
Ornamental pears have jumped cultivated space, spreading into North American wood and shrub lands, and they are becoming an ecological threat. We have been actively removing seedlings from the Woodland Conservation Garden at Wellfield for the past three plus years. Enjoy this slideshow of our tree removal and planting. See if you notice the difference next time you’re at Wellfield!
Josh Steffen, Horticulture and Facilities Manager
And people are still planting these weed trees. Why are they even still available to be planted?r
That’s a TERRIFIC question, Sharie. A multitude of answers would most certainly include a lack of public knowledge on the subject – – particularly the increased knowledge as to WHY we should not plant them and why, in situations that are suitable, that we choose to replace them with more appropriate species. Unfortunately this is still the case with many plant species around our country (and many other harmful things, obviously). But that’s one of the reasons we exist – – part of our mission includes education and stewardship for the environment. We hope to influence behaviors that make positive change – – and readers like you can help, too! Share the blog, tell your friends, and educate others on the facts. 🙂