A few years ago, a friend texted me a photo like the one below, asking me if they should pull out this plant—was it a weed?—as it was growing throughout their garden beds.
I usually define a weed as plant growing in a place where humans don’t want it.*
No, really! Come take a hike with me on the woodland trails here at Reeves-Reed Arboretum. Our lush Welcome Walk, colorful Historic Gardens, blossoming Daffodil Bowl, and tranquil, flowing fishpond are certainly the jewels of the Arboretum. But as with any jewel, its setting can be just as beautiful! Here at the Arboretum, our prized gardens are surrounded by over 6 acres of natural woodland habitat. There’s always something new and interesting to discover in the woods.
"The next time you venture into the great outdoors, keep an eye out for Ginkgo biloba trees, which can be easily identified by their distinctive fan-shaped leaves. If you find one—and you likely will, as the native Chinese plant is now ubiquitous in the United States—take a moment to pluck a few leaves, snap some photographs of the scene, and record your observations via the iNaturalist mobile app. Then, package your sample in an envelope, drop it into the mailbox, and give yourself a pat...