I was just thinking after looking at your last post that 'the bench photos' would keep unruly(s) from visiting the house therefore giving a quiet atmosphere to enjoy to ones' self. Now I realize that all my friends would congregate, to my house. Enough said? I think so. Dax

Nate, Your tours in the Morton are far more then just a simple visit. Thanks! Some years before Dax informed me about the hybrid spruce of Wisconsin. Dax asked Dennis Hermsen and Ed Hasselkus about this extraordinary find. My suggestion for you all is the next solution: You can read it in the last edition of the Conifer Treasury 4.0 Picea TROEMNERI X 1972 WI USA A. Troemner Picea omorika x pungens Kosteri 1972 Allan Troemner WI USA A. Troemner, a technician in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Forestry Department made this intentional cross between Picea omorika and Picea pungens 'Koster'. He presented me with 2 plants of this hybrid in 1972. This is a full size tree with the best of both it's parents. Dennis Hermsen and Edward Hasselkus text by Dax Herbst. The plant is listed at Gary Gee in (since)? 2010. I suggest to introduce this plant as Picea troemneri x for the future. The photos you made Nate are perfect first shots, also for linking, if you allow me. The plant looks like more omorika, somehow reminds me to sitchensis too. His colour has strong influence from the Koster line. Generally I expect this may grow to a more perfect blue omorika, which is much more, like the known possibilities of omorika species. Dax sent me a nice photo from Rich Eyrie's garden, and Will Fletcher has also a nice young one. Please, graft it in any quantities! Zsolt Here is a link that might be useful: Picea troemneri x shots of Dax and Will

Thanks for the tour Nate! Some corrections which you can pass to the staff of this Arboretum: Juniperus chinensis 'Daub's Frosted' This is not a true Juniperus chinensis cultivar and must be written as Juniperus x pfitzeriana 'Daub's Frosted' Juniperus x pfitzeriana is a cross between Juniperus chinensis and Juniperus sabina. Pinus flexilis 'Cesarini Blue' This cultivar belongs to another species, namely Pinus reflexa. Pinus koraiensis 'Winton' The one at the pic isn't this plant, it's a Pinus koraiensis 'Nana' which you're showing us. In this case also the witches'broom at Gee Farms wasn't found on a 'Winton', but on a 'Nana'. Somethimes it's labeled as 'Winton Gee Broom' which isn't correct, it's now Pinus koraiensis 'K.G.'. The typical characteristic for the 'Nana' are it's greenish needles, a dwarfish growing habit and a leader. The 'Winton' is not a true Pinus koraiensis but a cross between Pinus koraiensis and Pinus pumila. It's needles are blue/grey and does have a bushy growing habit.

Bickelhaupt is a 45-50 minute drive from my home. A real nice drive following the Mississippi River and especially now too because some trees are turning colors. It's always my pleasure, I'm sure you guys know that. I of course wouldn't mind seeing your local arboretums but what can I say! Thanks. Dax