Complimentary 
NEW SERIES VOL. I 
NO. 15 
ARNOLD ARBORETUM 
HARVARD UNIVERSITY 
BULLETIN 
OF 
POPULAR INFORMATION 
JAMAICA PLAIN, MASS. OCTOBER 22, 1915 
The Arboretum in October. This is one of the best months for a 
visit to the Arboretum, and after the abundant rains of the summer 
it has never looked better at this season of the year than it does now. 
The grass is as green as it usually is in early June. Frost has only 
touched the leaves of a few of the Grapevines which are perhaps more 
susceptible to fro3t than those of any other perfectly hardy plants; 
the leaves of only a few trees have fallen and on others they are as 
green as they were at midsummer, while in all directions are spots of 
brilliant autumncolor varying with every intermediate shade from the 
bright clear yellow of the Tulip-trees, the Sugar Maples and the Paw- 
paws to the scarlet of the Gum-trees and Virginia Creepers. 
Autumn flowers are not abundant in the Arboretum in October, al- 
though a few may still be found here, The northern Witch Hazel, 
Hamamelis virginiana, however, is covered with its flowers which are 
conspicuous with their clear yellow strap-shaped petals. The autumn 
color of the leaves of this plant is also yellow but of a darker shade 
than the flowers, and the leaves usually do not fall until the flowers 
begin to open; these, however, remain for a long time in good condi- 
tion on the naked branches, making this shrub one of the most attrac- 
tive features of forest borders in the eastern states. This Witch 
Hazel may be seen in the Witch Hazel Group on the Meadow Road 
near its junction with the Bussey Hill and Forest Hills Road, and it 
has been largely planted in the general Arboretum plantations where 
many large specimens may be found. 
Gordonia alatamaha. Flowers are still opening on this beautiful 
southern tree. They first appear in September and open in succession 
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