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Propagation of Chatham's Historic Specimen Trees
Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park » Propagation of Chatham's Historic Specimen Trees » Document List
Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP proposes to propagate some select historic specimen trees at Chatham. This would be a fulfillment of a recommendation in the Cultural Landscape Report for Chatham (2019.)
The Cultural Landscape Report (CLR) for Chatham identifies ten trees that it categorizes as specimen trees of historic importance to the landscape. The CLR recommends that the park propagate them in order to have descendants once the original trees have reached the end of their lifespan. The trees identified for propagation in the CLR are:
• Southern catalpa (Catalpa bignonioides) on the upper terrace adjacent to the north wing of the house (2 specimens)
• White ash (Fraxinus americana) adjacent to the Rotunda
• Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) on the upper terrace adjacent to the Kitchen (1 specimen) and adjacent to the Caretaker's Cottage (1 specimen)
• Kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus) behind the Caretaker's Cottage
• Eastern black walnut (Juglans nigra) along the South Ravine Path (3 specimens near the Carriage House and 1 specimen near the Rotunda)
• Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) adjacent to the North Ravine (1 specimen), adjacent to the Carriage House (1 specimen), and lining the South Ravine Path (3 specimens)
• Norway spruce (Picea abies) on the upper terrace adjacent to the south wing of the house
• American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) within the Walled Garden
• Chestnut oak (Quercus prinus) adjacent to the Laundry
• Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) on the upper terrace adjacent to the south wing of the house (2 specimens)
The park has identified some possible locations for planting propagated seedlings or saplings from these trees (see attached map.) The recommendation is to plant two from each species that would act as hosts for future replacements of the historic specimens. Since the CLR was written, the Norway spruce has died and is no longer an option for propagation. The white ash will not be propagated due to the extensive treatment and care required for protecting them long-term from emerald ash borer (EAB). Due to its suckering habit and tendency to become invasive, the park will also hold off on propagating the black locust.
The park proposes to work with its volunteer gardener to take the cuttings from each tree to grow two seedlings each in the Chatham greenhouses. Once the seedlings have developed and are strong enough for transplanting, they will be moved to the appropriate locations at Chatham. The park will GPS the locations and create a map for record and will care for the trees to ensure health and growth. From these trees, the park will take cuttings, when needed, to develop replacement trees for the original historic specimens.
540-627-6079
The Cultural Landscape Report (CLR) for Chatham identifies ten trees that it categorizes as specimen trees of historic importance to the landscape. The CLR recommends that the park propagate them in order to have descendants once the original trees have reached the end of their lifespan. The trees identified for propagation in the CLR are:
• Southern catalpa (Catalpa bignonioides) on the upper terrace adjacent to the north wing of the house (2 specimens)
• White ash (Fraxinus americana) adjacent to the Rotunda
• Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) on the upper terrace adjacent to the Kitchen (1 specimen) and adjacent to the Caretaker's Cottage (1 specimen)
• Kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus) behind the Caretaker's Cottage
• Eastern black walnut (Juglans nigra) along the South Ravine Path (3 specimens near the Carriage House and 1 specimen near the Rotunda)
• Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) adjacent to the North Ravine (1 specimen), adjacent to the Carriage House (1 specimen), and lining the South Ravine Path (3 specimens)
• Norway spruce (Picea abies) on the upper terrace adjacent to the south wing of the house
• American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) within the Walled Garden
• Chestnut oak (Quercus prinus) adjacent to the Laundry
• Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) on the upper terrace adjacent to the south wing of the house (2 specimens)
The park has identified some possible locations for planting propagated seedlings or saplings from these trees (see attached map.) The recommendation is to plant two from each species that would act as hosts for future replacements of the historic specimens. Since the CLR was written, the Norway spruce has died and is no longer an option for propagation. The white ash will not be propagated due to the extensive treatment and care required for protecting them long-term from emerald ash borer (EAB). Due to its suckering habit and tendency to become invasive, the park will also hold off on propagating the black locust.
The park proposes to work with its volunteer gardener to take the cuttings from each tree to grow two seedlings each in the Chatham greenhouses. Once the seedlings have developed and are strong enough for transplanting, they will be moved to the appropriate locations at Chatham. The park will GPS the locations and create a map for record and will care for the trees to ensure health and growth. From these trees, the park will take cuttings, when needed, to develop replacement trees for the original historic specimens.
Contact Information
Eric Mink540-627-6079