Wakefield Charitable Trust Calendar Of Events

ATTENTION! This event has been CANCELLED!

Discover Thoreau's Wild Fruits and Native Plants

Wild Fruits and Native Plant Talk/Walk

Tuesday, July 26, 6:00 pm

Each quarter in our quarterly Dogwood Lane, we suggest a new book that focuses on topics including horticulture, climate change, ecology, and the intersections of humans and nature. At the end of the quarter, a presentation is given on the book and readers will be asked to participate in the conversation about the topic.

The most recent recommendation was Wild Fruits: Thoreau's Rediscovered Last Manuscript. When he died in 1862, Henry David Thoreau left behind a mass of papers that would eventually be published as Wild Fruits. According to the book's editor, Bradley Dean, Wild Fruits represents Thoreau’s sacramental vision of nature - a compelling vision in part because it grew out of an approach to the natural world at once scientific and mystical. This book is beautifully written and helps us appreciate the incredible variety of native plants that provide sustenance here in New England. On the first page of Wild Fruits, Thoreau remarks, ”We cultivate imported shrubs in our front yards for the beauty of their berries, while at least equally beautiful berries grow unregarded by us in the surrounding fields."

On July 26 at 6:00 pm, Arboretum Director Debbie Merriam will host an in-person book review and discussion followed by a walk in the woodlands at the arboretum to gain a greater understanding the role native plants play in the ecosystem. Later in the summer, we will host a virtual book discussion for those who cannot make the July 26 date - stay tuned. Please rsvp by registering via this link. This event is rain or shine. For more information, call 617-333-0924 x22.