According to the calendar it is officially Autumn, though this year’s continuing heat shows Mother Nature is not willing to leave Summer just quite yet. From the Wallis Arboretum’s beginning in the 1850s, trees were selected for their uniqueness and their year-round beauty, so as we progress into true autumn, there will be a continuation of color throughout.

Maples, harbingers of autumn, normally are the first to show their true colors in the fall. The Arboretum maples include Black, Paperbark, Red, and Sugar; and Japanese maple “Bloodgood” and “Burgundy Lace”. The new foliage of the last is a deep red that changes color during the year and returns to deep red-purple in the fall.

Among the unique are gingkos, whose leaf imprints have been found in fossils that are 270 million years old. The lemon-yellow leaves hang on until all have turned and then drop within two to three days, leaving a bare tree surrounded by a yellow skirt on the ground.

Redbud displays a darker yellow, with the exception of “Forest Pansy” and “Oklahoma” whose leaves are deep purple.

Washington Hawthorn turns orange, scarlet, and purple each fall. Along with the  Serviceberry, which has red to orange foliage, these two native trees produces purple-black edible berries and retains through the winter for the birds to eat.

The oaks, whose botanical name “Quercus’ means ‘beautiful tree’, are  among the last to change color. The Pin Oak and the Northern Red Oak change to scarlet and ruby-red.

This is not a complete list of the Arboretum’s fall color collection of trees. Visit the Arboretum often to see the daily change of fall color. Visit on your own or for a group tour of the Arboretum: call 859-987-6158 and leave a message.

In his poem, “Trees”, Joyce Kilmer said, “Only God can create a tree…” For one of the finest old tree collections in Central Kentucky, visit the Wallis Arboretum. Many are over 100 years, including the recently declared Kentucky Champion Northern Red Oak. It is over 96 feet tall, its circumference 180 feet, measured at 4.5 feet from the ground and one of the old trees that dominate the front yard. It is one of 11 National Register of Big Trees in Kentucky.

Mrs. Wallis was known for wise choices in selection of only the best trees to plant, including the Northern Red Oak. It is the most popular of the oaks for the home landscape for its beautiful shape and spring foliage of greenish-red foliage that turns a dark red in the fall. It is also known for its rapid growth, strong wood, and resistance to fungi and insects as it contains tannic acid. It tolerates urban pollution and drought due to its deep tap root.

Oaks have been a part of our culture for centuries. Linnaeus listed red oak as only one of five of the 600 species. Oaks have been a source of ship and structure lumber, furniture, and barrels for whiskey and other spirits. Even the galls are ground for a type of manuscript ink.

This fall, Oakland Farms and The Garden Club of Kentucky are collecting the Red Oak’s acorns to propagate seedlings of the champion. Unlike many tree seeds, Red Oak’s acorns take two years to mature. It is hoped that seedlings of the champion will be available in the future.

The Nannine Clay Wallis Arboretum, 616 Pleasant Street, Paris, is open to the public year-round without charge.

The Arboretum gets lovelier each month as we go into full-blown summer. Our pollinators would agree with that as they are finding more and more sources of pollen and nectar. Rain has knocked out much of the nectar and pollen from many of the flowers but once they start reblooming bumble and honey bees will return.

Mrs. Wallis had her greatest impact on the garden in the 1930s, so it is appropriate that Monarda “Croftway Pink”(beebalm), 1932 introduction, would abundantly be found in the Arboretum along with Echinacea purpurea(coneflower).

Both are preparing for the third annual (free) Kids Day at the Arboretum, Monday, July 29. We are continuing Mrs. Wallis generosity of inviting children into her garden(Arboretum) to explore and learn about plants and the environment.

This year Kids Day registration will begin 9:30 AM at the Paris/Bourbon County Library with Smokey Bear’s visit and Smokey film, followed by lunch at the Arboretum and Scavenger Hunt that includes a booklet to record the items found and color, plus 10 activities and five educational which include displays and hands: Hydroponics, Composting, Bees, Recycling Rain Garden /Rain Barrel and visit the Carriage House complete with full-size ‘horse’, tack and carriage.

Hands-on activities include the very popular Build-a-Bug, Newspaper Puppet (finger puppet), Painted Tee Shirts (supplied by GCKY and the Library back by popular demand), Coffee Filter Seed Packets(seed for the kids to plant), and Milk Jug Watering Can to decorate to water their plants.

And, a bag to decorate to hold all the things they will make throughout the afternoon. Activities will conclude at 3:00 pm. The day at the Arboretum is open to all children 6-12. They must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

For more information go to: gardenclubky.org/arboretum