| |
The Boerner Botanical Gardens in Hales Corners, Wisconsin, shows that Metasequoias can survive in a variety of climates, even as far north as Milwaukee. The Gardens are part of the Milwaukee County Parks system. The Metasequoias are within the 1000+ acre Boerner Arboretum, which includes Whitnall Park and spans the nearby Root River Parkway. It holds one of the nation's largest ornamental crab apple tree collections. The Gardens themselves encompass a multitude of different, beautiful gardens. Included among this are rich Annual, Perennial, Rose, Herb, Rock, and Peony Gardens. Additionally the Gardens include the serene Daylily Path, the mystic Bog Walk, the Shrub Mall, and many sculptures. While the Metasequoias at the Boerner are not thriving, it is significant that they have endured the harsh cold and winds that are native to the Milwaukee-Chicago region. The Milwaukee area is within the Eastern broadleaf continental forest, which is a huge area that spans from the Western border of the Appalachians to the prairies of the Midwest. It is in the temperate Hardiness Zone 5. It is in a region with average to high winds, fairly average precipitation, and the dominant soil order is Alfisols. |
 |
The story of these Metasequoias begins when the Grant Nursery received seeds from the Arnold Arboretum in 1949. A total of 41 Metasequoias were planted at the Boerner between 1951 and 1964. Only eleven remained in 1968, and between five and ten remain alive at this time. A total of five were recorded. Most of the deaths were recorded as "winterkill". The five known living specimens are growing in semi-shady locations. Lastly, it was noted by park botanists that fast growing trees are more susceptible to winter injury and winterkill. It is quite obvious that the Milwaukee region is cold! While the Region may be in Hardiness Zone 5, it is very windy and receives high amounts of lake-effect snow. Probably the winds and the snows make this region borderline for Metasequoias. The Boerner, the Chicago Botanic Garden, and the Morton Arboretum, make clear that the Chicago-Milwaukee region is not the best for Metasequoias. Of the three, only three trees are above 60 feet tall and many have fared very poorly. For those in the area, their best bet at seeing some impressive Metasequoias would probably be the Missouri Botanic Garden in St. Louis. Boerner Botanic Gardens 9400 Boerner Drive Hales Corners, WI 53130 |
 |