Large, Old Trees of the Virginia Piedmont

The Oak Spring Garden Foundation is an operating foundation dedicated to sharing the gifts and ideas of Rachel "Bunny" Mellon.  Its mission is to support and inspire fresh thinking and bold action on the history and future of plants, including the art and culture of plants, gardens and landscapes.

Oak Spring Garden Foundation

Large, Old Trees of the Virginia Piedmont with Michael Gaige.

O﻿verview:In this one-day workshop, participants will explore the countryside around Oak Spring and Rokeby focusing on old trees of the Virginia Piedmont. Participants will learn how to recognize trees, manage them to enhance their longevity as well as where, when, and what trees grow old, field markers for identifying old trees and the sites where one might find them. Through discussions, participants will walk away with an understanding of the ecological role of old trees and how they function as habitat for other organisms. This program is ideal for anyone wanting to gain a deeper appreciation for the large, old trees found in the Eastern United States and especially of the Virginia Piedmont. This is NOT an arboriculture course; we will not detail specific pruning schemes or other treatments except in very broad terms. W﻿hat to Expect: No prior experience other than an appreciation of trees is required, however, participants should be ready to walk all day about 4 miles over uneven and gently hilly terrain. Participants should have their own transportation and be prepared to be outdoors (rain or shine) with proper footwear, water, etc. What will be provided: A boxed lunch will be provided. When purchasing ticket(s), you will select either:1) A turkey sandwich Or2) A gluten-free, vegan option Exact menus will be determined closer to the date of the event. All lunches will include a small side such as a fruit salad, or chips. Please note that unfortunately, we can not accommodate specific dietary needs. If you have dietary restrictions and are unable to eat the provided lunch, please plan to pack a sack lunch.A﻿bout the Instructor:Michael Gaige is an independent consulting ecologist based in upstate New York. His work explores the intersection of nature, culture, and history at the landscape level. Michael works with organizations, private landowners, and design teams on park and landscape projects, historical ecology inventories, and conservation planning for natural areas. He wrote detailed historical and landscape inventories for the Oak Spring Garden Foundation main site and it’s adjacent Rokeby farm. Michael teaches field studies programs for several colleges and universities.About OSGF: The Oak Spring Garden Foundation (OSGF) is a philanthropic foundation based at the former primary estate of the late Paul and Rachel Mellon, who were major philanthropists in the U.S. of the arts, humanities, and sciences in the second half of the twentieth century. OSGF is located in the northern Virginia Piedmont and Blue Ridge Mountains region (ca. one-hour drive from Washington, D.C.). Led by Sir Peter Crane, the Foundation’s inaugural President, OSGF provides short courses and supports residencies for artists and scholars. Its celebrated Library comprises rare books, manuscripts and works of art relating to horticulture, landscape design, botany and natural history. It is becoming a new center of stimulation of all things botanical, from fundamental research in plant evolution and conservation, to horticultural and plant conservation practice, to the history and art of plants, gardens and landscapes.Availability: This workshop will be capped at 12 participants. Registrations will be accepted on a rolling basis through Eventbrite until full.

Agenda

Explore Oak Spring and Rokeby 

Lunch 

Explore Nearby Farm

Adjourn

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Large, Old Trees of the Virginia Piedmont

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