Parks, Recreation & Leisure

Parks, Recreation & Leisure / Parks & Forestry

Tree Talk

Landscaping Tips | Plant of the Month | Tree Talk

Spring Trees
Spring has produced a beautiful array of flowering trees. The season started early due to a warm spell and a mild winter. The pears, crabapples and early magnolias came and went quickly due to an unseasonable hot spell. Temperatures in the 80's cause blossoms to fade fast, displays lasting only a few days in some cases. Even the yellow magnolias which bloom later than the saucer magnolias, were affected and had a shortened bloom period. We avoided a dreaded late frost this year however so the magnolias were magnificent.

Cooler weather then returned and the redbud were brilliant and lasting. The ones that used to line Riverside drive are slowly being throttled by honeysuckle but all of the redbuds in the city bloomed their little hearts out this year. My other vote for best spring blooms this year have been the red buckeyes. Their showy panicles have lasted and lasted, blooming at a time when many other spring blooms are done.

Squirrels have been feasting on the flower buds of my later magnolias. They like the large buds of the big leaf magnolia in particular. That may be a reason why the tree is found in Ohio only at Lake Katherine in Jackson County.

Parks & Forestry Division
Parks & Recreation Department
City of Upper Arlington
3600 Tremont Road
Upper Arlington, OH 43221
Phone: 614-583-5340