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The Connecticut College Arboretum in New London, Connecticut features a single impressive tree which proves that Connecticut can harbor Metasequoias almost as well as the Delaware Valley. It is unusual for a liberal arts school to have an arboretum, but Connecticut College has a wonderful one, a great garden that aids the learning experience. Established in 1931, it contains over 750 acres in the coastal city of New London, Connecticut. It also serves as protected open space in New London and neighboring Waterford. The garden specializes in eastern North American taxa, with notable plants like the Franklin tree, the Japanese pagoda tree, the seven-son flower, and Chinese witch hazel. |
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In 1950, a single seedling was sent by Dr. Ralph Chaney of the University of California at Berkeley, who is an extraordinarily famous individual in the short history of Metasequoias. He sent the seed to his sister, Margaret Chaney, a Connecticut College employee. As a matter of fact it is now the tallest tree in the Caroline Black Garden, at 100 feet in height. It has an impressive base diameter of 36 inches. While these numbers do not begin to approach some of the more impressive trees at the Morris Arboretum or Princeton University, they are nonetheless strong indications that Metasequoias are capable of withstanding the cooler conditions of Connecticut. If you are in the northeast, undoubtedly the best site is the Arnold Arboretum. The Connecticut College Arboretum and the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, offer proof that Metasequoias are capable of growing well in Connecticut. The Connecticut College Arboretum 270 Mohegan Avenue New London, CT 06320 |
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