|  |
Join the town Memorial Day Observance on Friday, May 25 for a sunset parade at 6 pm to be followed by a ceremony on the Large Common. |
|
|
Greetings!
The library will be closed for Memorial Day on: Saturday, May 26 Sunday, May 27 Monday, May 28 |
Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction 
Earlier this week, the American Library Association along with the Carnegie Corporation announced 6 books as finalists for the 2012 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction. This is a new award that will be presented for the best fiction and nonfiction books from the previous year written for adult readers and published in the United States. Check out the finalists and see what you think. |
Just Can't Get Enough Harry Potter?
Though the last book in the Harry Potter series was released almost 5 years ago, the legacy lives on. Last month, J.K. Rowling and Sony released "Pottermore", an interactive website featuring additional book content. Around the same time, the series was made available in eBook format and digital audiobook. Library patrons can access these at nh.lib.overdrive.com.
J.K. Rowling's first novel for adults, "The Casual Vacancy" is scheduled to be published in September.
|
Along the Garden Path at the Library... Favorite Flowering Trees
Every year we get a swell of calls in the spring with questions about the wonderful flowering cherry tree to the right of the entrance. This delightful tree is a Prunus Hally Jolivette flowering cherry.
 | Prunus Hally Jolivette Flowering Cherry on right |
The airy pink buds that open to a pale pink bloom over a succession of 10-20 days in early spring is a favorite of many in town. It is a small bushy tree that actually starts blooming in its second year! It is ideal for small properties and the small twiggy habit even adds to its winter interest. The dark green foliage turns an outstanding coppery bronze in the fall. Its fruit is not ornamentally significant. It likes full sun, well drained soil and is considered a long living cherry tree.
Care for this exceptional tree is simple. It needs pruning early spring. The library tree actually had 1/3 of it pruned out this year, and you would never know it. Pruning is important and healthy for these trees. It is easy in the winter to make sure the snow and ice do not collect and damage the tree by its weight. The tree will grow to 15 feet tall at maturity with a spread of 12 feet. It grows at a fast rate and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more. In 1994 it won its first gold medal from the Horticulture world.
While the cherry tree is first to bloom, the tree to the left of the entrance, which is a hawthorn. (Crataegus monogyny), will bloom shortly after.
 | Hawthorn buds just opening |
I am not sure of the exact species of this tree but I think it may be the common hawthorn also called Mayblossom. It is actually a member of the rose family, and yes it does have thorns! In the fall it has a small fleshy apple-like fruit which goes from green to bright red. This tree can reach a mature height of up to 20 feet with a spread of 15 feet and grows quickly, around a foot a year. Hawthorns easily withstand heavy pruning, best if done in early spring when the tree is still dormant. Unfortunately, over the years our hawthorn at the library has been damaged by ice and snow and children hanging on branches. It went through a major pruning from the damage it received in October's snow storm. We are hoping it will bounce back. When it is in bloom, I suggest you walk over and check out its flower up close!
A reminder when selecting any trees and shrubs for your landscape. Always check the size of the mature tree/shrub and make sure it will fit in your yard. Some trees are very susceptible to road salt and would not do well in an area that is salted in the winter. Always water the tree for at least the first year, that means right into the fall. Deep watering is required if you want it to survive it's first winter. When you purchase a tree always ask for instructions on care and maintenance for the item. If you are spending a good amount of money on a good size tree it might be good advice to let the place you purchased it from do the planting!
Happy Gardening,
Marti Warren
|
|
Remember, the library is a happening place and your library card is your ticket to free books, magazines, music, movies, Internet access, enriching programs and much more!
Sincerely,
Amherst Town Library
|
|
|