MELISSA FARLOW_MM6560_968656.jpg
A mighty, old beech tree creates a sculptural point in the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University in Boston, Massachusettes. The park-like setting was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and is the second largest link the Emerald Necklace, a series of parks. Founded in 1872, the arboretum today encompasses 265 acres, and has collection areas delineated by family and genus that are tributes to the natural world.
Smooth gray bark is a highlight of the impressive beech tree although the European Beech (Fagus sylvatica) has a trunk that resembles elephant hide. Some trees in the beech collection were probably planted in the early 1800s. There are 14,900 individual plants with a particular emphasis on North American and east Asian Species. Carvings in the smooth bark can create pathways for insects that can harm the health of the trees.
- Copyright
- MELISSA FARLOW
- Image Size
- 5009x3343 / 4.8MB
- Keywords
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arnold arboretum, beech trees, boston, boston (massachusetts), color image, day, graffiti, massachusetts, new england states, nobody, north america, outdoors, parks, photography, plant growth and decay, plant physiology, plant roots, plants, tree branches, tree roots, tree trunks, trees, united states, woodland views, woods, writings
- Contained in galleries
- Frederick Law Olmstead_National Geographic magazine 3/2005