Cylburn Arboretum Friends

10/21/2026

What could have made these scars on a young beech tree on Cylburn’s Ravine Trail? The answer is deer rubbing!

Male deer (bucks) have incredibly fast-growing antlers, and as they develop, they rely on a special covering tissue called velvet to provide blood flow and nutrients. Once the antlers are done growing, the velvet has served its purpose and dries up. In order to remove the dead tissue, bucks will scratch their antlers against trees. This behavior typically begins in mid-September and continues throughout the fall mating season as bucks continue to rub in order to establish scent-marked territory.

This rubbing can be harmful to trees, especially young ones, which are preferred by bucks for their small circumference (perfect for itchy antlers!) The scrapes deer cause can leave trees vulnerable to infections and stunt their growth. A tree’s cambium, which allows it to grow and expand, is directly underneath its bark, and is easily damaged by deer rubbing. If you visit Cylburn’s gardens, you can find many trees with deer guards around them in order to prevent rubbing damage. A stop by the crepe myrtles in front of the mansion or a walk on the trails are good chances to see what can happen to trees that are not protected.

10/20/2026

In Japanese folklore, Kodama are spirits of ancient and sacred trees, their presence a sign that the forest is alive and well. Rarely glimpsed, they drift as pale lights or ghostly figures among the branches. To harm their host tree is to call down misfortune, but to honor it is to walk in harmony with the forest.

10/20/2026

Join us tomorrow, on Wednesday October 21, to explore some of the wooded trails at Cylburn Arboretum with a special focus on the American beech. We’ll discuss the importance of this long-lived species in Baltimore city ecosystems, and what lies ahead for our forests with the arrival of beech leaf disease.

Find out more and register in advance at: https://cylburn.org/event/wednesday-walk-beeches-beech-leaf-disease/

10/19/2026

10/17/2026

Have you noticed airy, pink clouds around the Cylburn grounds? It's likely Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris), a native ornamental grass.

10/16/2026

Do you want to enjoy Cylburn after hours? Have you gotten your ArBOOretum tickets yet? We are just two weeks away, and tickets cost less when you buy in advance!

Join us for a family-friendly Halloween celebration at Cylburn, with two evenings to choose from: Thursday, October 29, or Friday, October 30.

See the Mansion lit up at night, experience guided night hikes and a haunted trail. Kids can enjoy free face painting and strolling performers. The Nature Education Center will also be open for evening hours and we will have food trucks each night.

Find out more and get your tickets at: https://cylburn.org/programs-events/arbooretum/

THANK you to our Presenting Sponsor, DLA Piper, as well as our other sponsors. We appreciate you for making this event possible!

Photo: Bryan Vana

10/15/2026

🌱Garden Drop-In - Thursday (12:30PM-2:30PM) - Drop by the gardens to see what we’re working on and pick up expert gardening tips. No registration required.
🌱Strolling Through Nature - Friday (9:30AM-10:30AM) - Join Master Naturalist Linda Forlifer for a weekly, accessible, walk around Cylburn. No registration required.
🌱NEC Drop-In - Saturday (11AM-12PM) - October's theme, Nocturnal Animals of Cylburn, focuses on animals that become active as the sun goes down at Cylburn Arboretum. No registration required.

10/14/2026

The Curupira are a forest guardian in Brazilian folklore, known for bright red hair and backward-facing feet. Their tracks lead hunters astray, punishing those who take more than they need from the forest. Mischievous yet protective, the Curupira keeps watch so the wild may thrive.

10/13/2026

This Japanese Black Pine, Pinus thunbergii, is the largest recorded in the city or state through Maryland's Big Tree program. Native to Japan and Korea, its silhouette is recognizable and interesting from every angle in our Cylburn landscape!

10/12/2026