Village Condominium Association

The Last Leaf
by J. F. Weiler

New England's fall leaf color show is a great performance. Village trees contribute an artist’s pallet of colors. Ranging from fire red, scarlet, Harvard crimson, lemon yellow, Indian yellow, cadmium orange to browns of raw Sienna, Venetian red and burnt umber, the leaf show is the best free show around.

The 700 different tree species at Mount Auburn Cemetery arboretum also provide a fine leaf show. Some favorites are the Seven-Sons-Flower tree, Goldenrain tree and the Chinese dawn redwoods, which are always spectacular.

Mount Auburn, started in 1831, represents the beginning of the American public parks and gardens movement. Dr. Jacob Bigelow, a Boston experimental gardener, assisted by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society and designer Henry Dearborn are responsible for creating this unique park and garden.

Over 5,000 trees grow in the typographically unique area of glacial eskers and dells. Gardens range from Victorian-era through contemporary planting styles. They have butterfly and wildflower gardens, and their greenhouses have an experimental garden used to find drought-resistant ground covers. Mount Auburn uses Integrated Pest Management techniques to explore uses of beneficial insects for pest control. Pesticides and synthetic fertilizers have been phased out.

The extensive tree canopy makes Mount Auburn a great location for bird watchers. The leaf show is still performing. The last leaves to drop are the weeping willow, weeping beech and linden. The ample walking paths make it one of the best local arboretums to visit. Mount Auburn is located at 580 Mt. Auburn St. They have brochures showing tree locations and listing guided tours and lectures. Phone 617-547-7105 or visit www.MountAuburn.org for information.

Village birds: Fall brings new birds to the Village trees and gardens. Cardinals and chickadees have arrived. A favorite is the junko with a white bill, blackish head and two white tail feathers and a funny clicky sound.

Japanese Maple, Mount Auburn	Cucumber magnolia, Mount Auburn	The last leaf, Mount Auburn
Photos by J.F. Weiler

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Written for the Dec. 2010 Village Newsletter.