Arboretum is in Bloom

There has been major progress with the help, input and great advice from many of Georgia’s top experts. Every time tree and forest experts visit from the Atlanta’s City’s Arborist Division, the Georgia State Forestry Commission, and Downy Tree Service they make the arboretum’s development more exciting.

 

The Atlanta Exposition Center’s employees have worked for two years on 24 acres, which is a small part of the arboretum’s forest.  Much of the invasive Chinese Privet was removed, plus the downed and falling Loblolly Pine is continually removed.   Fourteen large rollback dumpsters heaping with trash were hauled away.

 

With the clearing of the trash, vines and brush, you can now see how the topography rolls gently down to Pool Creek.  Beautiful Pool Creek meanders through the forest providing a freshwater habitat for fish and other aquatic life. On the North East side of the Arboretum’s forest is a large concrete crossing under I-285 where wild animals cross-adding hundreds of acres of the City of Atlanta’s wetland habitat for the arboretum’s wildlife to enjoy. Progress in the arboretum shows the potential for the public to have the ultimate forest education, adventure and experience.  

 

Individuals entering this forest for the first time find its beauty breathtaking. After two years of work, workers are frustrated and want to precede with the shade flower plantings of Corel Bells, Hostas, the placement of the stone seating and more. This excitement must wait for the removal and clean up of the dead and dying Loblolly Pines. The Atlanta Expo Arboretum has a full hardwood tree canopy covering the forest with a large forested area for expansion.

 

Experts explain “Loblolly Pines are mature and will soon die. The hardwoods will soon take over the entire forest.” “The many hardwood trees from saplings to 60’ hardwoods are crowded by the Loblolly Pines; it is important to get the pines out.” Because of the continuous falling of the tall spindly pines the Arboretum is not open and closed to all work personal during winds until the dead and dying pines are removed.  Around the southern perimeter of the arboretum are several beautiful, healthy, safe, not spinally Loblolly Pines that can be maintained for decades.  

 

The perimeter of the arboretum shelters the forest floor from the sun with a massive growth of the invasive kudzu. The arboretum’s forest floor is covered with desirable plants that require shade. The kudzu will be taken out in segments around the perimeter with the planting of specific varieties of pines, shrubs, flowers and plants for education that will replace the important kudzu shade.

 

Native Americans loved and lived in the arboretum’s forest where many of their miracle medicinal plants and tree food habitat still thrive.  Many stones in the arboretum show grindings and markings from the use of Native Americans. A healthy patch of Jewel Weed grows near Pool Creek running through the forest. Jewel Weed works like a miracle when crushed onto afflicted areas of poison ivy and sumac; American Persimmons were used for upset stomach. There are Shagbark Hickories, Black Walnuts and American Persimmon Trees that still provide a food habitat for wild animals and deer.

 

 

More than 400 vintage eight-foot long hand cut granite stones are in the parking lot next to the arboretum waiting to be placed in areas for seating. Fifty-five antique cast iron benches are being prepared for the arboretum by having the wood parts replaced. The arboretum’s forest trails will remain natural with most of the seating placed in three main gathering areas.

 

The Atlanta Exposition Center’s entry gates and large paved parking lots will be used for public access to the Arboretum. Hundreds of Red, Pink and White Crape Myrtle trees have been planted around the Exposition Center’s entries and parking lots. Entering the Arboretum visitors will go through large spectacular sunny flowered archways opening immediately into the arboretum’s cool shady forest.

Work Schedule:

2019 West Side of Pool Creek

Phase #1

a.    Continue removing privet.

b.    Remove the dead and dying Loblolly Pines.

c.      Decorate flowerbeds and entry with the large granite stones pushed in awkward positions into the forest from the construction of I-285, plus the other piles of natural stones located in the forest.

d.    Fabricate attractive small stainless steel and aluminum sign bases for educational signs to place in front of trees, plants, rocks and for directions.

e.    Examine the Arboretum area making lists of trees and plants to research and make the educational identification signs needed.

f.      Use the large ditch area behind the Expo South as a seed and transplant bed for purple coneflowers; allow no other coneflower within pollinating distance including Black-Eyed Susan.

g.    Plant 2,000 Bald Cypress in the low lands around the creek upon removing privet.

h.    Plant ground flowers Corel Bells, Hostas and more.

 

2020

a.    Evaluate the east side of Pool Creek for arboretum expansion.

b.    With sanitized pruners, prune hardwoods.

c.      Place antique hand cut granite in areas for benches.

d.    Make trails safe, place gravel in soft spots.

e.    Place foot bridges where necessary.

f.      Complete educational signage and place in front of trees, plants, and rocks.

g.    Prepare perimeter flower gardens, transplant purple coneflowers.

h.    Plan and apply for approval where necessary: Gazebos, Pagodas, Footbridges with handrails.

 

 Tentative Grand Open September 2021

a.    Meet with experts.

b.    Build shelters, Gazebos, Pagodas, and Footbridges.

c.      Delineate trails with downed pines lining trails and place handrails where needed.

d.    Continue removing perimeter segments of kudzu and planting important species of pine trees, hardwoods and shrubs.

e.    Plant perimeter flowerbeds and butterfly gardens.

f.      Prepare shelters.

g.    Shelter amenities: Electric, Trash Cans, Picnic Tables.

h.    Place gates and prepare additional pedestrian and service vehicle access to the large east asphalt parking lot.

i.      Make a huge flowered over the entry trellis on the west entry side and south exit side, both must be in the sun for maximum flowers.

j.       Tentative Opening September 2021

 

Phase #2 East Side of Pool Creek 2022

a.    Meet with experts.

b.    Apply for a permit to build a walk bridge over Pool Creek.

c.      Clear a long looping walk trail.

d.    Evaluate further development.

Continuing Thanks To:

 

Atlanta City Arborist:

David Zaparainck, Arboricultural Manager

 

Georgia Forestry Commission:                       

Joe Burgess, Senior Forester                                

Justin Mayfield, Forester                                   

Paul McDaniel, Forester
                                                                                    

Atlanta Exposition Center:

Glenn Brackett, Executive Manager 

Sidney Ussery, Sr. Manager, Equip. Op. 

Darrell Armalin, Equip. Op., Team Leader

David Kelley, Manager

Ty DeWitt, Site Cartographer