Delavan Memorial Arboretum - April Tour - Delavan, Wisconsin
"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."
- Henry David Thoreau "Walden, or Life in the Woods"
The Delavan Memorial Arboretum is a beautiful spot in Delavan, Wisconsin that I love to go to. It is beautiful any time of year and has a lot to offer. I am always surprised at how many local people don't even know it exists. There are lovely walking trails, a lake for fishing or kayaking and a wide variety of trees. There are benches for bird watching an arbor for outdoor weddings and scenery that changes from week to week. It is located at 440 North Terrace St. in Delavan, WI.
The arboretum is located along the northeast shore of Lake Comus which is a great place for fishing, canoeing or kayaking. There are many benches along the lake to just sit and relax as well. While we were visiting this last time there was a dad with his daughter who was squealing with delight over the large mouth bass fish they had just caught.
I absolutely love all the different types of pine trees. This European Larch was so pretty with the orange, reddish colored tips.
Horse Chestnut Tree that should be flowering soon.
The arboretum is an excellent place for birdwatching. We saw a few different varieties on our last visit. Did you know that when a Robin tilts its head, it is using one eye to look for worms and one eye to watch for predators? I always thought they were listening for worms, but that is not the case according the University of Wisconsin Arboretum.
I learned that it is common for trees to lose bark after a frost on the trees south or southwest side. Sudden changes in temperature puts certain trees under stress which causes the bark to crack. I find it so interesting that tree bark cracks under stress. In that way, I understand what a tree feels like. We are all connected in some ways. If this interests you, read more about it at Why Is Bark Falling Off My Tree.
A row of Common Yews guide you along the level stone path as you wind your way around the arboretum.
The arboretum would be a special place to sit and read a book., bring your binoculars and watch wildlife, sit with your camera and wait for the perfect opportunity to photograph or bring your paints and an easel and paint the beauty that surrounds you.
The Scilia or Wood Squill was blooming underneath a tree brightening up the arboretum floor. Such pretty, delicate little blue flowers.
This white magnolia tree was the showstopper of our visit as it was in peak bloom. It was breathtakingly beautiful.
There were many Common Grackles there which makes sense since they typically love to hang out in evergreen trees.
Daffodils were blooming between the two hiking trails.
Someone had stuck these beautiful white dianthus in the ground. The arboretum is a memorial arboretum with the cremains of Rudolph F. Lange, the original director of the arboretum scattered under a crab apple tree. You can read more about that here on Find A Grave.
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