Maple leaves flash in today’s bright sunlight. The inner leaves closest to the trunk display cool shades of lime and pale yellow, while outer leaves flash crimson, brick, peach and pear. I wonder whether leaves closest to the trunk receive more water or if the sunlight hastens the leaves turning. Maybe both?
Today is a beautiful, sunny, windy, 60-degree day. Gusty winds whip up dirt and dust that coat my skin, hair and clothes.
But people are everywhere at the Arb today, enjoying autumn’s glory and wonderful weather. Walkers stroll the Highway 5 Regional Trail boardwalk, bikers zip along Three-Mile Drive and hikers trek over hill and dale to forest bathe, soak up the sun and enjoy nature.
Walkers stroll the Highway 5 Regional Trail that cuts through the Arboretum’s wetland.
Scarlet sumac leaves linger still, but most sumac berries have been chomped by deer. These fuzzy, tiny fruits borne on spikes at the tips of the shrubs are high in vitamin C and other nutrients. They make a tasty red tea — if you can beat the deer!
The brilliant scarlet leaves of sumac remain, though the nutritious red berries have largely been eaten by wildlife.
Ginkgo biloba trees are fluffy with bright gold leaves. Although not native to Minnesota or even the U.S., ginkgos are lovely shade trees in summer and stunning in the fall landscape. Since they are not invasive in the U.S. — they don’t crowd out native trees in the way buckthorn or Norway maple does — many plant them to increase biodiversity. You can learn more about invasive plants at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website.
One of my favorite fall sights is the venation pattern in leaves. As each leaf changes color, its vein patterns are emphasized, such as in this maple leaf below. Birch leaves are especially attractive.
Ginkgo biloba (left) and maple leaf venation.
Birds are mostly silent. Or perhaps the wind is drowning them out! We see a crow, a few black-capped chickadees and house sparrows, some geese and wild turkeys.
Little bluestem grass is planted in a group at the Prairie Garden across from the Bennett-Johnson Prairie. Their stems are blushing and dotted with many fluffy white seedheads. They will retain their form throughout winter.
Little bluestem grass welcomes visitors to the Prairie Garden.
The seedheads of anise hyssop lie in the sun, and the heat sends the delicious licorice scent up into the air. A few yellow sunflowers still bloom, and most have formed seedheads in pom poms or fuzzy balls.
Our own state cactus, the prickly pear, languishes against a rock. The tiny cactus is creased with horizontal lines. Could the drought have even dried the cactus out?
Prickly pear cactus is native to Minnesota.
As we drive out of the Arboretum, a bald eagle circles in wide, lazy loops overhead. Until next time!
Mary Beth Pottratz is a Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer. More information about the program is available on their website.