Newsletter, July 2021 (No. 23)
A Hardy Azalea (Rhododendron prinophyllum) in Northern Vermont
by Steve Young
Wild azaleas along Wolcott Pond. Photo by Jack Travelstead
If you canoe along the shores of Wolcott Pond in early June, you may pick up an aroma that has hints of clove, or according to some people, vanilla. This will tell you that a stand of pink azaleas is in full bloom. It may be the only place you can find them growing wild in Northern Vermont. There was once another population near Ithiel Falls, in Johnson, but that apparently succumbed to a roadbuilding episode.
The southern Appalachians are the world center for the occurrence of wild azaleas. Many species, with flowers of pink, yellow, orange, or bright red, grow in the open areas near the mountain tops, where they may hybridize indiscriminately. Botanists have decided that azaleas are best included in the enormous Genus Rhododendron, whose evergreen members also thrive in the acid mountain soils of eastern United States and, in much greater variety, in the high mountains of eastern Asia.
Most azaleas find the intense cold of northern winters too much to withstand, and only two species make it into the Northern Rivers area. (The other is the distantly related R. canadensis, or Rhodora, which is common in bogs of the Northeast Kingdom, and which was immortalized by Emerson in his poem about the nature of beauty.)
Due to the arcane nature of plant taxonomy and nomenclature, the appropriately named Azalea rosea became Rhododendron prinophyllum, and the species is stuck with that name for the indefinite future. It is the most widespread species of azalea in North America, but why it occurs in only one place in our area we can only guess. It likely has something to do with the fragmentation of an earlier population established during a post-glacial warm period that ended several thousand years ago. The Wolcott Pond station was once nearly lost, probably mainly because of overgrazing by deer. The healthy stand on Spruce Point may well owe its existence to the care and ministrations of several generation of owners of the Rublee camp.
The ease of hybridization between native azalea species has led to some truly spectacular horticultural varieties, but most of them aren’t really hardy here—they lose their buds in a typical Vermont winter. Botanists in northern Universities such as University of Vermont and University of Minnesota have worked to increase the hardiness of their varieties, and they many years ago sought out seed of R. prinophyllum from the coldest regions—which means Wolcott Pond. If you buy a spectacular pink azalea from a nursery, it may contain in its DNA a trace of our own azaleas!
Message from NRLT Chair, Jack Travelstead
by Jack Travelstead
While the Covid-19 pandemic may have prevented us from meeting face-to-face, it certainly has not slowed the activity of the NRLT Trustees. Every week brings new contacts and matters worthy of our attention, and we certainly encourage your inquiries. If you are a property owner thinking about conserving your land, have questions about the process, or know of a property that deserves protection, we hope that you will contact us. Recently, we received an inquiry from the owner of a beautiful stream-side property in Holland, Vermont hoping to place a conservation easement on his parcel. A walk about the property revealed over one-half mile of stream shoreline, older growth cedars and abundant wildflowers. Unfortunately, the property was well outside of the NRLT border and no other local land trust was available. But, we were able to refer the owner to the Vermont River Conservancy and the Vermont Land Trust, who are now investigating. As a full service land trust, know that even when we cannot be a direct part of the solution, we will make every effort to point you to those who can meet your needs.
In the months ahead, we are very hopeful to complete additional easements on parcels surrounding Wolcott Pond, a priority area for this land trust. We are also very excited to announce our soon to be published, “Wolcott Pond Watershed Initiative”. This report describes the pond’s natural history and wildlife habitats, and makes recommendations for its future protection. If you are a property owner in the area or have any interest in Wolcott Pond, you will enjoy this special publication.
The Trustees are also anxiously following the efforts of the Town of Wolcott to establish a Community Forest. We hope to have more to report on this in our next newsletter.
A few copies of Susan Sawyer’s publication, “Guide to the Natural History of the Northern Rivers Land Trust Area” are still available and yours for only $25. Call us and we will get you a copy pronto!
We are now quite hopeful to finally schedule an in-person Annual Meeting. We miss our friends and members and look forward to spending time together this Fall. Look for our Annual Meeting announcement soon.
Two Trustees Leave NRLT Board
Steve Meyer of Hardwick was one of NRLT’s original trustees in 2007, serving in that capacity for 14 years. Steve and his family operated a dairy farm for over 40 years converting to organic in 2003. They now raise organic beef. Steve has served on several community organizations, including Hardwick Lister for 25 years and the Hardwick Planning Commission. NRLT thanks him for his many years of service, and will continue to benefit from his advice.
Ralph Monticello joined the NRLT board in 2016. In 2015 he moved to Eden, VT, from Florida, where Ralph directed Palm Beach County’s conservation acquisition program in the 1990’s. He worked for The Conservation Fund and The Trustee’s of Reservations in Massachusetts in the 2000’s, and later the Indian River Land Trust in Florida. In the 1970s he served as the Vermont State Economist. NRLT has benefited greatly from Ralph’s experience, and we wish him well as he moves to Derby, which is north of our area of operation.
A Heartfelt Thank You for Recent Support
by Clive Gray
The NRLT trustees wish to thank the many members who have continued to support our conservation efforts in the past year. In a time of economic challenges for many, we appreciate those who believe in our mission and continued their memberships.
Your donations help us through “thick and thin” to focus thoughtfully on our local landscapes. This critical financial support allows us to maintain connections with a variety of landowners committed to existing conservation easements and to work with those newly interested in conserving their properties.
In the past year the NRLT also received comments and concerns with your donations that express appreciation for our mission: “preserve the rural character of NEK”, protect “water, forest and farmland”, “Wolcott Pond—wow!”, preserve “wood turtle habitat”. We appreciate the thoughts and are excited about the initiatives in the coming year.
Thank you for your continued generosity and encouragement. Our work with landowners is not a static process. You are a valued part of our progress in protecting the water, wildlife, forests, and farmlands within our three-rivers watershed.