Morris Arboretum Interns

A huge thank you to Hagley Museum and Library in Wilmington, Delaware for taking us through their mid-restoration gardens!

Hagley was founded as the home and site of E.I. du Pont’s gunpowder works in 1802. The home still stands and is open to the public for tours, but the gardens were abandoned for many years. Garden Director, Paul Orpello, and his team are working hard to restore the gardens and make them safe for visitors.

Click through for more details on our visit to Hagley!

Happy Earth Day from the Interns! We spent our morning celebrating with a tree-climbing lesson from Chief Arborist, Peter Fixler, and the arborist team.

Peter, Andrew, and Liam patiently coached us all up into the canopy for sweeping views of the Arboretum and a taste of what arborists do in their daily work. Click through for more details on our tree adventure!

We kicked off our spring garden trips in style with a visit to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA. Click through the photos for more about our favorite moments!

With nine interns spread across five different departments, it can be hard to carve out time together. Plant Walks help with that! We spend an hour every other week out in the Arboretum with Tony Aiello talking about standout plants, debating family traits, and catching up on our lives outside of work. This week, it was hollies, witchhazels, and how excited we are for warmer weather!

Photo: Adi Shiloh

Working in horticulture often means starting the day early- close to 7:30 am! For the interns on site, this means Swan Pond sunrises every day 😊

📷: Julia Callahan

Thank you to Tyler Arboretum in Media, PA for touring us around!

There was a lot to love, but our fan favorites included a champion tulip poplar, a marbled orb weaver, and watching the beech blight aphids dance.

(Intern trip to Tyler, October 2020)

Our fall course through UPenn has started, meaning quality time with each other, masks, and exceptionally old trees! We spend about 3 hours every week walking the property and learning about the Arboretum's living collection.

This week's favorite? Cercidiphyllum japonicum, perhaps the largest Katsura tree in North America.

(Understanding Plants, September 2020)

Every afternoon is a great afternoon for learning about pruning and deadheading roses with Vince! (Intern session in the Rose Garden, August 25, 2020)

Monthly Intern Spotlight:
Meet Education Intern, Alessandra Rella!

Alessandra is from Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from Franklin and Marshall College, where she majored in anthropology and environmental studies.

Fun fact about Alessandra: Alessandra spent nine months working on organic farms across Italy, England, and France!

Favorite part of the internship so far? I have just really loved working across different departments at the Arboretum and with so many lovely and talented people. I have learned so much!

Favorite spot in the Arboretum? The little secret path in the Rose Garden, near Lydia’s Seat. I remember the first time I discovered it and I just sat back there for a while to admire how the sun was shining through all the leaves. It felt magical.

What is your favorite tree? Ginkgo! Their funky bark and unique leaves always make me smile.

Any plans for the future? At the end of June, I will start working at the Aspen Grove School, which is an environmentally focused preschool in South Philly. I hope to make my way back to working in a public garden one day, though!

Monthly Intern Spotlight:
Meet Urban Forestry Intern, Eliza Nobles!

Eliza is from Chester County, PA, and graduated from Drexel University, where she received a self-directed B.S. in urban ecology, with a minor in Science, Technology, and Society (STS).

Fun fact about Eliza: Eliza has been to 49 U.S. states! Every state except Alaska.

Favorite part of the internship so far? This internship has been an amazing learning opportunity. Between my daily work tasks, the intern classes, and just being around the Arboretum… I can’t believe how much I’ve learned about plants and urban forestry.

Favorite spot in the Arboretum? I like to take walks in the natural wooded areas along the creek.

What is your favorite tree? I am always excited to see a catalpa tree. They have beautiful orchid-like flowers, big heart-shaped leaves, and super long seed pods. What’s not to love?

Any plans for the future? This fall, I will be entering Penn’s Master of City Planning program with a concentration in urban design and a continued focus on ecology.

That's a wrap! Congratulations to Emily and Dominique, who both did a fantastic job on their intern project presentations!! Job well done :D

Social distancing can’t stop us! Congratulations to Alessandra, Eloise, and Luke, who over the past three weeks gave their intern project presentations virtually. Really great job everyone!!!