Skip to main content
URI Outreach Center

New Plants in the Garden Industry

Plant Pro

Before plants are introduced to the nursery trade, horticultural researchers must evaluate them for insect invasiveness, disease resistance, cold hardiness, ornamental attributes, and a host of other criteria. At East Farm Horticultural Facility we evaluate many plants not native to Rhode Island but with the potential to enhance our environment. We are joined by Dr. Brian Maynard, horticultural professor at URI, to learn about a few of these new plants.

Paper Birch - Betula papyrifera

A shallow rooted deciduous tree with reddish brown bark as a sapling and smooth white bark as a mature tree. This shade-intolerant tree grows best in deep, well-drained, sandy or silty soil. The average height is about 70 to 80 feet with a 10-12 inch diameter. Originally this birch was bred in Wisconsin but may be out in our plant industry in about 5 years.

River Birch - Betula nigra

As a young deciduous tree a river birch has smooth salmon colored bark. A mature tree develops papery scales in a creamy brown color bark. The trunk of this tree usually divides low and has many arching branches that grow upward.

Chinese sweetgum - Liquidambar acalycina

The foliage of this sweetgum is a maroon autumn color that matures to a deep green. This deciduous tree is originally from Asia.

New plants are a driving force in the gardening industry. The Master Gardeners of URI help evaluate the plants. How long each plant must be evaluated before being introduced to nurseries depends on the species itself.

Renewable Energy Siting Partnership Stakeholder Meeting #4

When: December 1, 2011, 6pm - 9pm
Where: Hazard Rooms @ URI Coastal Institute Bldg, Narragansett Bay Campus
Details: The focus of this meeting will be presentations on the acoustic impacts of wind turbines and project economics. Attendees must RSVP to Amber Neville at 401.874.6106 or amber@crc.uri.edu due to space limitations.
Directions

The meeting is open to the public, and all are welcome, as the goal is to have a diverse and well-rounded stakeholder process. A light dinner will be provided from 5:30-6pm.

- - - - -

Holidays in the Park

When: December 10, 2011, 11am - 2pm
Where: Roger Williams Park Botanical Center, Providence RI
Details: Admission-free with donation of a nonperishable good to be donated to RI Food Bank

Escape from the cold outdoors and join us in celebrating the holidays! Activities will include demos on do-it- yourself decorations just in time for the holidays, exciting educational crafts for kids, live music, gifts for every gardener, a raffle and more surprises to come.

- - - - -

Renewable Energy Siting Partnership (RESP) Wind Resource Assessment Lecture

When: January 24, 2012, 6pm - 7pm
Where: North Kingstown Free Library
Details: URI researchers will present their current work related to the wind resource assessment component of the Renewable Energy Siting Partnership.

- - - - -