N° 75 — November 10, 2021
Stay in touch as we celebrate Washington Youth Garden's 50th Anniversary. Enjoy our updates and insights from FONA, the U.S. National Arboretum, and WYG.
When you become a FONA member, your gift supports all of FONA and helps us support and promote the National Arboretum! We ensure the Arboretum's research and gardens are a resource for all and connect people with nature through our programs and events. Become a member or renew today!
Christmas Tree Sale & Holiday Market
Let us help you have a hassle-free holiday this year. Join us December 11 and 12 from 10 AM to 4 PM for our Christmas Tree Sale & Holiday Market:
Pre-Order Your Tree:
Now Through December 10

Pre-order your Christmas tree, wreath, or garland for pickup or delivery. Pick them up (1) at the National Arboretum during our sale on December 11-12, (2) at our partner site in Alexandria, VA before the sale, or (3) have it delivered to your home.

You must select "Friends of the National Arboretum" as the fundraising partner at checkout to ensure your purchase supports FONA.
Christmas Tree Sale:
December 11 & 12, 10AM - 4PM

Buy your Christmas tree, wreaths, and garlands, hassle-free this year. Pick up your pre-ordered tree or purchase one on-site during our Christmas Tree Sale located at the Arboretum's New York Avenue parking lot.

Procrastinator's Holiday Market:
December 11 ONLY, 10AM - 4PM

Saturday only! Featuring gifts and goodies from local vendors, family-friendly arts and crafts, and holiday train rides! We're partnering with Bladensburg Road Main Street to bring you all the best vendors for last-minute shopping.

Give the gift of FONA this holiday — purchase a FONA membership, Washington Youth Garden honey, or a one-of-a-kind Arboretum Christmas ornament!

Are you a local artist or craftsperson? Apply to be a vendor by December 4th and join the fun!
Photo from: National Bonsai Foundation
From our Friends: National Bonsai Foundation
Robert F. Drechsler, also known as "Bonsai Bob", passed away on October 20, 2021. He served as the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum's first curator for 28 years. His passion for sharing bonsai with the world was crucial for building the Museum into what it is today. Learn more about Bob's life and legacy in this article from our friends at the National Bonsai Foundation.
From the Lab: Chinese Quince
How about adding some quince to your apple pie?

Matt Millage, horticulturist in the National Arboretum's Asian Collections, recently wrote an article for the Herb Society of America blog, detailing the horticultural, culinary, and ethnobotanical history of the Chinese quince.
Photo from Matt Millage
Photo from USNA
Herbarium Updates
Join the National Arboretum on Wednesday, November 17th at 2PM for the fourth and final installment of Pressing Matters. This free, virtual event series explores the National Arboretum's herbarium collection.

During this event, Herbarium Curator Dr. Harlan Svoboda will share a specimen's journey from living plant to a preserved collection filed in an herbarium. He'll demonstrate how to collect, press, dry, and mount specimens, and even give advice for creating your own botanical art from pressed plants.
The Arboretum is open every day from 8 AM to 5 PM except December 25th. Some buildings and collections remain closed to ensure visitor and staff safety.
Friends of the National Arboretum
3501 New York Ave NE
Washington, DC 20002
202.544.8733
FONA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization with the mission to preserve and enhance a vibrant public space and support experiential programming that instills a love of plants, nature and the outdoors in all who visit, while promoting the overarching research and education mission of the U.S. National Arboretum.

Since its inception, FONA has helped support the Washington Youth Garden, Capitol Columns, Flowering Tree Walk, horticultural and research internships, restoration of Springhouse Run, and much more.
Did a friend forward you this newsletter?