Winter at the Botanical Gardens in Asheville, North Carolina 2025

I went to the Botanical Gardens yesterday with Brooke, my daughter, we had not been there since Hurricane Helene came through Asheville.  The Gardens were closed to visitors for months and this is the first time we observed the changes that happened when the storm came through.

We walked  to sycamore meadow and saw the magestic sycamore was down on the ground.  I felt shock and awe and sadness and hope all at once.  

I also felt grateful that the Botanical Gardens will leave the Sycamore tree where it lays.  This meadow was named for the cluster of sycamore trees in this area of the gardens.  This meadow is also the home of another special sycamore, the Moon tree, whose seeds flew to the moon and back aboard the Apollo spaceship.

The botanical gardens at asheville are currently working on preparing the fallen Sycamore tree so the visitors that come to the garden will be free to interact with the tree by touching and sitting on the fallen Sycamore tree. 

This is my page from my “A Year With the Trees” journal.  You can see where Brooke drew the outline of the trunk as it lays on the ground. 

If you get a chance go visit the beautiful Sycamore meadow at the botanical gardens of Asheviile.  

Peace,

Becky Priddy

Finding the signs of Fall

On my walk today, I was looking for signs of Fall.  I encourage everyone to go outside and look for at least ten signs of Fall.  Please write to me and tell me what you find.  While you are looking for the signs of Fall, use all of your senses; get into the moment and really listen, smell, look, feel, and taste.  Here are the signs of fall that I experienced.

1st sign of fall, yellowing leaves on the Yellow Birch tree.

Yellow Birch

2nd sign of fall, red berries on the dogwood trees.

Dogwood Tree

3rd sign of fall, yellow leaves on the Frasier Magnolia tree

Fraser Magnolia

4th sign of fall, Basswood leaves getting lacey holes in the leaves.

Basswood Tree leaves

5th sign of fall, Devils Walking Stick tree changing colors.

Devil's walking stick changing colors

6th sign of fall, Dahlias are in bloom.

Dahlia in bloom

7th sign of fall, Yellow fall wildflowers are everywhere.

8th sign of fall, A big blue Carolina sky.

My 9th sign of fall, listening to the fall insects singing.

My 10th sign of fall, was the feel of coolness in the air.

You know life happens every day, time ticks by second by second.  We get so busy at work and school and home.  Take time from your day and notice what is happening around you in nature.
Parents, I challenge you to take your kids outside and sit with them on the earth, walk in the woods, walk down the street in your neighborhood.  Get outside and notice what is happening all around you. Ask your kids to notice ten changes that are happening in nature as our season is changing to fall.

Write to me and tell me the changes you observe.
Celerylady@gmail.com

The Trees of the Botanical Gardens at Asheville - A GPS Guide

The Trees of the Botanical Gardens at Asheville - A GPS Guide 

This is my Community Action Partnership project that I have have completed with the North Carolina Environmental Education Certification Program.  You can click on the above link to access my booklet entitled, The Trees of the Botanical Gardens at Asheville.

This booklet (to quote from the booklet itself):

"contains a list of 32 Native trees* of the Southern Appalachian Mountains.  All 32 of these trees live at the Botanical Gardens at Asheville, located at 151 W.T. Weaver Boulevard in Asheville, North Carolina.  These 32 species of trees are members of 12 different families of trees.

This booklet has been written as a guide to challenge you to find all the trees listed;  and then, to get to know the trees by observing them.  You can get to know the trees by visiting the Botanical Gardens in every season to observe the many changes that the trees go through."

You will be able to locate the tree using GPS coordinates.  A GPS coordinate is given for each species as well as a leaf drawing.

Tree 31 is Tilia americana, Basswood.

GPS Coordinates are:

N 35° 36.777

W 082° 33.976

The Trees of the Botanical Gardens at Asheville - A GPS Guide

You can read more about the NC Environmental Education Certification Program by visiting
http://www.eenorthcarolina.org/certification--about-the-program.html

If you are in the Asheville area take time to visit the Botanical Gardens at Asheville.  You can print out my booklet and challenge yourself to locate all 32 tree species.

Have fun and enjoy learning about the trees,

Rebecca