Browsing by people, organizations and landmarks: object type:
2015 Evaluation of The Morton Arboretum Quercus Collection (3.104572)
Date: July 9 2015Creator: Lobdell, Matt
Type: Document
Description:A collections evaluation or audit is defined as the process in which a curator reviews the value of accessions to the institution. The Quercus collection, located on the east side of the Arboretum, is one of The Morton Arboretum’s most valuable and respected collections. Though relatively large, the Quercus collection is still prone to crowding and space needs due to the mature size of the majority of accessions. Performing a collections evaluation at this time was necessary to allow the institution to formally review the value of the Quercus collection, deaccession surplus plants, and strategically plan the acquisition of new plant material.
The goals of this collections evaluation were as follows:
1. Perform necessary maintenance
2. Review all data for the acquisition, collection, and cultivation of Quercus species at The Morton Arboretum
3. Document informal propagation experiments and germination rates for rarely cultivated taxa
4. Document and resolve identification and determination issues
5. Determine which taxa are overrepresented and may be deaccessioned
6. Address taxa of conservation concern and set framework for ex situ collection
7. Identify target taxa to bring collection holdings to a goal of 100 taxa
8. Review current interpretive content and recommend improvements
2. Review all data for the acquisition, collection, and cultivation of Quercus species at The Morton Arboretum
3. Document informal propagation experiments and germination rates for rarely cultivated taxa
4. Document and resolve identification and determination issues
5. Determine which taxa are overrepresented and may be deaccessioned
6. Address taxa of conservation concern and set framework for ex situ collection
7. Identify target taxa to bring collection holdings to a goal of 100 taxa
8. Review current interpretive content and recommend improvements
It is important to distinguish between the Quercus collection, the fixed area on the Arboretum’s east side, and the Quercus holdings, referring to all accessioned Quercus taxa located on the Arboretum’s grounds. Though data for all living and historic Quercus holdings were reviewed in this process, the final goal, referencing interpretive content and improvements, only refers to the Quercus collection proper.
Exploratory Evaluation of the Korea Collection (3.104573)
Date: 2021Creator: Lobdell, Matt
Type: Document
Description:To explore opportunities to more actively evaluate plants within The Morton Arboretum's collections, the author completed a trial in the Korea collection in 2021. The author reviewed one genus at a time. Most of the observations occurred during early-mid summer, during or slightly after flowering for most species.
Additionally, the author queried the database for existing observations, these consisted primarily of:
● Inventory checks
● Some maintenance comments (but rarely acted upon)
● Phenology records, which are difficult to access or reference in this format
● Some pest/disease observations, though specifics about how the diagnosis was made are often lacking
● Some maintenance comments (but rarely acted upon)
● Phenology records, which are difficult to access or reference in this format
● Some pest/disease observations, though specifics about how the diagnosis was made are often lacking
Even evaluating one collection during a year is a significant undertaking. Many of these comments are still rather “surface level” and don’t reflect in depth knowledge of the plant throughout the year. Future efforts may be more successful if they focus on one genus or an otherwise smaller number of species. Probably better to have in depth knowledge of fewer species rather than surface level analysis of many (especially if recommendations are to be made based on results).
APGA/USFS Tree Gene Conservation Partnership: Report on 2019 Scouting and Collection Efforts targeting Magnolia fraseri var. pyramidata (3.104906)
Date: November 14 2019Creator: Lobdell, Matt
Type: Document
Description:A report prepared by Matt Lobdell, head of collections and curator, for the American Public Gardens Association (APGA)/ United States Forest Service (USFS) Tree Gene Conservation Partnership. The report provides details on two trips in 2019 to scout and collect material for Magnolia pyramidata (pyramidal magnolia).
Collections Master Plan: 2018 Revision (3.85367)
Date: 2018Type: Document
Description:A review of the 2001 Collections Master Plan by visiting landscape architect Marcus de la Fleur conducted in 2018 intended to record progress and revisions to the plan. This document should be considered an addendum to the 2001 Collections Master Plan as opposed to a replacement.
This document can be viewed digitally. To request digital access, contact the Sterling Morton Library staff by following the link here.
New Curator and Head of Collections Lobdell Press Release (3.87001)
Date: January 19 2015Type: Document