When I arrived in Newport last year, a graceful small tree with many superb qualities refused to reveal its identity to me. It stood alone, near the playground at Morton Park, not seeking any attention but certainly deserving of some. I watched on with ultimate curiosity as the lovely teardrop crown was engulfed with leaves that did not match those of which I recognized. Familiar white flower clusters followed, with the timing and morphology of Crataegus (Hawthorn), produced in high quantities. Certainly in the rose family (Rosaceae), but I was too busy and tired to search the literature for an answer. It wasn’t until sometime later when the attractive red fruits emerged that I secured my answer, witnessing the same tree at the Arnold Arboretum with developing fruit in late July...

Through a grant from the Frederick Henry Prince Memorial Fund at Newport Hospital, NTC will deliver programs in Newport's Health Equity Zone that encourage exploration of parks and the local area, take an in depth look at the trees around us and the science behind them, and get students active outdoors. This "Powered by Prince" program, along with NTC's other educational initiatives, educate and inspire the next generation about the benefit of trees in our community and in our lives.