A PUBLICATION OF PORTLAND’S BOTANIC GARDEN AUTUMN 2020

LE A C H GARDEN NEWS
The Garden is open! Come STROLL THE pathways & ENJOY THE FALL COLORS.
In accordance with social distancing protocols in place to fight COVID 19, all Leach Garden sponsored activities
and classes are CANCELED for now. The Gift Shop Window is open limited hours and some small group rentals
are possible. Check the website for more details. 
Photo: Jennifer Hart

IN THIS ISSUE

Unique Growth........... .... 1

Window Shopping............... 2

Community Habitat
Enhancement Project ........ 3

Message from the Executive

Director ................................. 4

Construction Update.......... 4

New Friends & Donors....... 5

Epicormic growth on Eucalyptus in Australia after a fire.

Join Leach Garden

Unique Growth Friends .............. ..........5

Earlier this summer, I was given several editions of Smithsonian Magazine, and the June Riffle Award .. ............ 5
2020 edition contained a fine article (The Great Koala Rescue Operation). It began with
the description of a landscape on Australia’s Kangaroo Island, where intense fires this
Portland Parks Levy.......... ....6
past summer charred extensive swaths of forests and plantations. But months later, burnt
John & Lilla Treasure
eucalyptus trees were wrapped in bright green leaves, emerging from cracks in the trunks or
Hunt..............................6
around the base, with shapes dissimilar to the trees’ normal growth, creating a surreal scene.
This phenomenon is known as epicormic growth. Outstanding images can be seen in another
informative article on eucalypts and fire (https://southernforestlife.net/happenings/2020/
fuzzy-trees). This article emphasizes how epicormic growth is truly a eucalypt specialty,
though not exclusive.

The etymological origin of ‘epicormic’ is from the Greek ‘epi’

(upon) ‘kormos’ (tree trunk). Epicormic branches are ones that
sprout from dormant buds on shoots that elongated during a
previous period of growth. The anatomy of epicormic buds is as
diverse as the number of species that employ this mechanism.
In the May 2012 edition of Tree Physiology, the authors
proposed four distinct strategies that trees employ to create
epicormic buds. These strategies are at times associated with
particular types of trees (ex. conifers or the Myrtaceae family),
the presence or absence of bud clusters, and establishment in
Photo: Scott Hoelscher

particular areas of a tree (i.e., leaf axil or trunk base). Buds can
be short-lived and less developed, or persist and develop for
the entire life of a tree.

Leach Botanical Garden operates in partnership with Portland Parks & Recreation PAGE 1
 Unique Growth - continued from page 1

Photo: Scott Hoelscher

As is evident from the Australian example, the simplest definition for epicormic
growth is a response to a stress event. In addition to fire, insect defoliation, wind
damage, disease, frost and pruning can stimulate a response. Less obvious factors,
such as drought and intense light competition, also stimulate epicormic growth.
If the stress is severe, trees initiate a hormonal response that stimulates less-
developed buds to rapidly replace lost biomass.

The variety of trees that display epicormic

growth is lengthy and worldwide in
distribution. Examples include oak, willow,
beech, crape myrtle, Douglas fir, sequoia,
redwood, pine, larch, ash, maple and tulip tree. This diversity carries implications beyond wildland
preservation and management. Epicormic trees grown for lumber production may establish
unwanted knots or weaknesses if stressed by environmental factors. Ornamental trees with
Photo: Scott Hoelscher

epicormic tendencies may display unattractive and/or weak growth following improper pruning
(i.e., ‘water sprouts’).

Close to home, Leach Botanical Garden has numerous examples of epicormic growth. I’ve
included several photographs that I hope you will attempt to see in person.

—Scott Hoelscher, Head Gardener

WINDOW SHOPPING IS BACK!

Browse our outdoor store on
Photo: Annie Winn

Thursdays & Fridays, 11 am-3 pm, or on

even-numbered Sundays, 1-4 pm
(weather permitting).
All items in the shop are available upon request regardless of the
weather!

New, featu red items

Care Packages: Delight someone with a thoughtful, nourishing care
package containing Windrift Hill lotion, Camamu soap, lip balm, and
a Big Dipper candle. $28

Leach Garden Mug + Blue Creek Coffee:

New Leach Garden mug accompanied
by Water Avenue’s Blue Creek coffee-
-a full-bodied, rich, balanced blend
with tasting notes of hazelnut, milk
chocolate, and a hint of orange. $24

Leach Garden Mug + Tea: New mug with your choice of tea from Tao of Tea, a leading provider of high
quality, carefully selected teas, emphasizing sustainable farming methods and fair trade practices. Choose
from: Italian Earl Grey, Wild Black, or Oregon Mint & Tulsi. $24

See ordering details at https://leachgarden.org/store/ or email Annie Winn: awinn@leachgarden.org

Other great gift ideas: Field guides, gardening books, Leach Garden totes or hoodies, and Pomegranate puzzles
and of course a great assortment of plants to choose from.

PAGE 2
 Leach Garden Back 5 Acres
community

HABITAT

Photos: JoAnn Vrilakas

ENHANCEMENT
project
One of the best and most rewarding aspects of our Back 5 Acres project is our
blossoming collaboration. Despite Covid 19, students, mentors, volunteers, leaders and
staff from Wisdom of the Elders, The Blueprint Foundation, African Youth Community
Organization (AYCO), Johnson Creek Watershed Council, educators from Portland Parks
and Recreation, and Leach Botanical Garden have worked together to conduct 8 plant Thanh Tu, Lents Youth Initiative Intern,
transects, 16 workshops designed to provide knowledge and leadership opportunities, looks for macroinvertebrates

and of course, enough weeding to transform a carpet of blackberry roots and seedlings
into good brown soil. (all while wearing masks and physically distancing)

 We’ve sloshed through the creek

and found native mussels, crawdads,
caddisfly larvae – and even a lamprey;
dissected owl pellets, learned to
distinguish a bird’s primary wing feather
from a tail feather and to understand the
reasons for their different forms; learned
to key plants, and marveled at their
intricate beauty under microscopes;
searched for and found several species
of amphibians – including red-legged
Yasir, African Youth Community
frogs living in our newly minted pond; Organization mentor, examines the twine
become community scientists using (cordage) he fashioned from stinging
Balkhiis, a Mentor from AYCO, studies a bee she captured nettles.
iNaturalist; caught, identified and
during the Pollinator workshop.
released pollinators; learned traditional
ecological knowledge  – and even made twine from stinging nettles.

The Back 5 Acres Project shares the same magic as the Garden itself. At each event,
people have come together, forming bonds to the land, and creating even greater
connections within the collaboration and beyond. In the last couple weeks of August,
for example, interns from the Rose CDC Lents Youth Initiative, working with Leach
Garden and Portland Parks, spent several hours weeding, improving the amphibian pond
and practicing community science with iNaturalist. Wisdom Workforce Development
LLC cleared blackberry and ivy from the second acre with Ecotrust’s Green Workforce
Academy, who had been introduced to the Garden by a mentor from The Blueprint Drew, Johnson Creek Watershed Council, and Lashay,
Foundation. A Blueprint Foundation mentor also led several youth on a mindfulness and Blueprint Foundation, identify a bee.
stress reduction workshop under the cedar grove at the east end of the Back 5 Acres.
Finally, a Wisdom of the Elders media crew videotaped Blueprint and AYCO mentors
conducting a plant transect in order to teach other students how it’s done.

This type of collaboration, and the energy and interest created by all of us learning,
working and sharing, make the Garden an increasingly vital part of our wider community,
with much to offer and much to gain.

—JoAnn Vrilakas, Education Manager

Lionell and Jessica, Lents Youth Initiative Interns, have

This project has been funded, in part, by several sources including an East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation
perfected the fine art of weeding this summer.
District Partners in Conservation grant, Oregon Community Foundation and Collins Foundation grants awarded to
Johnson Creek Watershed Council, a 2019-20 City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services grant and three major
donors.

PAGE 3
 B oard of
dir ecto r s
A Message from the Director
Nurturing this special place
Irene Bowers
President
Being the director at a botanical garden has
Mike McKeel many rewards, particularly in a time like this
Vice President when our organization is building structures and
new garden spaces that will welcome visitors
Gay Greger for decades to come. I believe that one of the
Secretary greatest rewards I experience is being regularly
Tom Bland presented with new ways of looking at the world,
ways I might never have expected. A botanical
Treasurer
garden is the perfect setting to discover new
Mary Davis wonders.  

Bob Hyland
My most recent such experience was to read
Lina Ma that researchers clearly see that trees in groves
help each other. They share nutrients and
Linda Morrow water through
Sue O’Halloran subterranean
networks which had
CiCi Polson not been observed or understood before. And the complexity
Dale Shetler of their communication is still being explored. A simple
example in one experiment showed that a stump, apparently
dead, was actually receiving water from trees nearby and that
STAFF
the rates of flow were affected by the weather which the
David Porter stump lacked sensory tools to appraise.  
Executive Director
My sense of wonder again at the complexity of the world also
Virginia Brandabur stirred another reflection. Like the stump, our Garden is faced
Event Specialist with immense challenges. Our normally reliable sources of
Several living stumps can be found
along the east pathway between the revenue such as weddings and rentals have been chopped off
Kit Cummins East Terrace and the Upper Meadow. at the moment. The visitors who come to the Garden see a
Event Specialist quiet and peaceful space but have not been able to put money
in the donation boxes or purchase items in the gift shop. These ‘nutrients’ for the garden’s
Michael Cummins
continued health and growth are not flowing.  
Facilities Maintenance

Adam Hart But the tendrils of our connections are strong, even when not clearly visible. Some of you
Horticulture Manager have come forward to help and we are truly grateful. I believe that many more of you will
step forward in the weeks ahead, to help nurture this special place and ensure that visitors
Scott Hoelscher will continue to be rewarded with new wonders to discover.
Head Gardener
Your gifts now will help us maneuver through these challenging times.
Melissa Manuel
Administrative Assistant https://leachgarden.org/product/donation/
Jo Shintani
— David Porter
Assistant Director

Courtney Vengarick
Gardener/Curator
Construction Update
JoAnn Vrilakas Things are happening fast now! The aerial tree walk is virtually complete and the hardscapes are
taking shape around the Fireplace Terrace and Pollinator Garden. Soil placement, amendment
Education Manager
and grading is underway and planting will begin next week. All plants in the nursery area will
Annie Winn be inspected for quality control before they are installed. The restroom building at the entry
Manager, Volunteer Services courtyard is taking form and the 122nd Avenue stairs are expected to arrive on site in a couple of
weeks. Watch for a new video update coming soon.

PAGE 4
LEACH GARDEN FRIENDS * "Friends" is synonymous with"Members"

Gratefully Acknowledges Our Donors F or Gi fts Support

Received in the last quarter Leach Botanical Garden!
The best way to support this Portland
Velda Altig Fred Nilsen & Theresa Garcia treasure is by becoming a Leach Garden Friend.
Anonymous Sue O’Halloran & Allan Richard Your donations keep the Garden growing.
Roxane Auer David Porter & Mary Edmeades
Judy & Tom Barnes Judith & Charles Roberts Use this form to join or make additional
Irene Bowers Kristine Simpson donations online at www.leachgarden.
Michael Crean Kathy L. Walter org. Benefits include this quarterly newslet-
Pamela Eros Tom & Gloria Wiemann ter, discounts on classes and events, and free
Joan Fasser Lea Wilson admission to gardens nationwide.
Ron & Katie Goodwin Lana Younglove I want to:  Join  Make a Donation
Sharon Gray Marina Yudin
 Sponsor a new Leach Garden Friend
Gay Greger & Jim Sjulin Rick Zenn
Maria Haight
Bob Hyland In Kind
$1,000 $500 $250
Ann C. Jalo Alena Botanica
Diana Karabut Bob Hyland $100 $75 $50
Sophia Kremidas
Other: $__________
Brandon Lenzi Gifts in Memory
Randall Magahay & Florence Dezeix In memory of Eleanor Tanner
Dana Jean & Michael MaGinn Anonymous
*I would like to sponsor:
Lina Ma
In memory of Rita Van Deene Name: ______________________________
Marietta Miick
Ron & Katie Goodwin
Address: ____________________________
City: _______________________________
State/Zip: ___________________________
Special Recognition for  Please send a gift card to this new
JoAnn & our Back 5 Acres: Leach Garden Friend.

Community Habitat Your Name ________________________________

Enhancement Project Address __________________________________

City _____________________State____________
Every year the Johnson Creek Watershed Council
presents Riffle awards to people and organizations Zip___________
who best exemplify their mission. They just
Preferred Phone: ___________________________
announced that this year they are recognizing
JoAnn Vrilakas, our Education Manager, along with The Award will be presented Email: ____________________________________
the Friends of Leach Botanical Garden, with the at the Johnson Creek
2019 Community Partner Award. Watershed Council Annual  Check is enclosed
Celebration on Payable to Leach Garden Friends
JoAnn is receiving recognition for hosting bilingual Thursday, September 24,  Please charge my credit card:
students, creating volunteer events, and for 5:30 - 7pm.  VISA
her coordination and leadership of the Back 5  MasterCard
Project. Johnson Creek Watershed Council's The event is virtual this year
Courtney Beckel commented, "The staff support, Name on Card __________________________
and free to all!
commitment, excitement, and warmth you bring is Join us to support JoAnn and Signature _______________________________
absolutely priceless. It's enjoy the keynote speaker - Card# __________________________________
not just what you do but Robin Cody, author of Ricochet (3-digit # on
CVC#_____ back of card) Exp. Date: ______
how you do it, JoAnn! We River and Voyage of a Summer
love working with you and Billing Zipcode (required) __________________
Sun.
appreciate this special
partnership so much! " Return to Leach Garden Friends
For information and to
6704 SE 122nd Avenue Portland, OR 97236
register:
Congratulations http://www.jcwc.org/events/ Thank you!
JoAnn! annual-celebration-2020- Benefits eligibility extends for the year following each
online/ donation. All contributions are tax deductible to the
extent allowed by law.

PAGE 5
 L each G arden F riends
6704 SE 122 nd A venue
P ortland , OR 97236
503-823-9503
Aerial Tree Walk.
Construction update on page 4.
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
The
J ohn & l i lla
t reas u re h unt
Explore John & Lilla Leach’s
beloved Sleepy Hollow home.
When John Leach proposed to Lilla
Irvin, he promised that he could
wrangle a mule team and take her
places no “cake eating botanists”
would go. They were married
outdoors near the Pudding River in Aurora, Oregon on
September 13, 1913, at 13 minutes past noon, with 13 people
in the wedding party. According to John, thirteen was their
lucky number because Lilla was born on the thirteenth of
March 1886.
Next time you visit the Garden,
see if you can find the
13 John & Lilla Treasures
This and other scavenger hunts and activities are
available on the website. Enjoy them with friends and
family as you wander the Garden’s pathways this fall.
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PORTLAND, OREGON
PERMIT NUMBER 2167
Portland Parks Levy on Ballot
in November to Save Parks &
Programs
A contradictory reality has always faced Portland Parks and
Recreation. The bureau which runs Portland's best-loved
public amenity—its parks and natural spaces—has a less than
stable funding stream. Revenues and user fees from recreation
programs and community centers are an essential part of the
bureau's budget. The COVID crisis devastated those revenue
streams complicating operations already short of money and
creating a multi-million deficit for Parks.
A study group including city council determined that a five year
parks levy was the best, and perhaps only, funding solution which
could provide interim support to preserve park programs and
keep fees low for the city's residents. The five year span also
provides a timeframe in which planning can be done to work
toward a more permanent long term funding strategy. 
Leach Garden Friends recognizes the unprecedented magnitude
of the Parks crisis in 2020 and we agree that all Portlanders
must continue to have access to clean and safe parks as well
as to affordable recreation and community programs serving
young and old alike. The Friends support the levy and encourage
Portland voters to do so as well.
For more information
https://portlandersforparks.org/