When first planted.

This page chronicles the lives of 14 zelkova trees planted at Borough Hall in Metuchen, New Jersey. The pictures are shown in reverse chronological order. Look to the left for links to my other zelkova pages.

Borough Hall landscape map features the 14 zelkova serrata trees. Click to see the map larger. Circle size = relative size of trees as of summer 2010. Drawing is based on a satellite image from Google Maps.

August 2010: Zelkova trees planted in planting beds are taller and fuller than the others.

August 2010 Leaves are rich green in summer.

May 2006: Oh no. Mulch volcano. There is too much mulch piled around the trunks of these trees! This can cause trees to suffocate.

This tree, for example, has a lot of dieback in the center. I'll bet the cause is the mulch.

April 2006: Leaves emerging.

Cool!

April 2006: Notice the horizontal lines in the bark of the young zelkova tree.

Winter shadows, I think, are interesting.

Feb. 12, 2006: During a blizzard.

Sept. 10, 2005: The dedication of the cornerstone of the new Metuchen Borough Hall.

Aug. 2, 2005: In the afternoon sun with a crowd gathered for National Night Out.

May 1, 2005: I was so happy to see that all 14 of the zelkovas planted here survivied their first winter.

May 21, 2005: That's a Purple European Beech in the background. Between the purple leaves of that tree, the light green of the zelkovas, and the red brick building, this place makes a beautiful setting in spring.

May 21, 2005: This is my favorite angle.

April 20, 2005: If I can get this shot again 20 years from now, I'll post it for you. Bookmark the page! ; )

April 2005: Now that Borough Hall is open for business, I thought I'd see if the Zelkovas survived their first winter.

They look happy!

July 21, 2004, 3:30 a.m.: Here's something I don't often see in tree diaries: night shots! I rode my bike down there to take the pictures, two police officers in police cars across the street were watching me suspiciously. Just your average insomniac out for a stroll . . .

Leaves with serrated edges in late afternoon light.

July 2004: Arches are interesting, even with construction stuff in the way.

In the evening sun. Ahh.

July 2004: Just after the trees were planted. That's my family on the steps!

For Julie's detailed comments about zelkova trees, see the zelkova fact page See the Borough Hall Zelkova growth chart See other Metuchen zelkovas Read the latest Tree Grower's Diary blog entry