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NATURE’S TURN: Love them more — ‘Portraits of American Trees’

Fine art photographer Tom Zetterstrom — who will host a talk and workshop as part of his exhibit currently on view at Berkshire Botanical Garden — inspires us to be an activist for trees.

October 18–October 31, 2021

MOUNT WASHINGTON — “As a photographer of trees and an activist in their protection, Tom Zetterstrom has probably done more to promote their beauty and value than Joyce Kilmer.” —Eleanor Charles, The New York Times, November 12, 2000

During the marvel of leaf turn, trees are the center of the world for denizens of and visitors to the Berkshires. Green yields to brilliant shades of red, vermillion, orange, and gold. Then, like a fire doused by rain, the flames flicker and die down. Each tree’s stalwart trunk, reaching boughs, branches, and unique twig structure are revealed. The forest’s winter identity sweeps the hills. Our pleasure in trees as the season progresses urges us to strengthen our connection to and concern for them throughout the year: to love them more. Maples, ash, beech, hemlock, birch, American elm, dogwood – to name familiar natives – all need our help to survive the climate disruptions, exotic pests, and invasive species that are killing them.

For inspiration, meet nationally acclaimed fine art photographer Tom Zetterstrom, who matches his creative genius with hands-on environmental stewardship regionally. Zetterstrom has photographed trees throughout the Northeast and from coast to coast since the 1970s. A magnificent collection of his “Portraits of American Trees” is on exhibit in Berkshire Botanical Garden’s Leonhardt Galleries through October 31. The Garden is open daily from 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; the Galleries from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. As a gift to the community, BBG is offering free admission through the end of the month.

Zetterstrom’s photographs are represented in the collections of scores of museums, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Yale University Art Gallery, and in the Library of Congress.

The public is invited to a gallery talk with the artist this coming Sunday, Oct. 24 from 11 a.m.–noon, and Tom will also be available in the gallery Saturday, Oct. 30 from 12–1 p.m. He presents his final environmental workshop in conjunction with the exhibit on the 30th from 10 a.m.–noon; registration is required. “Pruning Young Elms: Crown Structure Training to Promote Longevity” is described along with an introduction to “Portraits of Trees” by clicking HERE.

The success of Tom Zetterstrom’s initiatives in response to the devastating Dutch elm disease won national recognition. In presenting its 2011 Public Awareness of Trees Award to him, the Arbor Day Foundation highlighted his “…bringing attention to the importance of planting and preserving trees. As founding director of Elm Watch, Zetterstrom … worked to protect and plant hundreds of American elms… EW provided a way for scientists and elm activists to share current research on the next generation of disease-resistant elm cultivars…”

The work continues. The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) Massachusetts Chapter seeks volunteers to monitor young, disease-resistant American elms in the beautiful landscape at Bartholomew’s Cobble in Sheffield. To learn more, email Rene Wendell, TNC Land Steward at rene.wendell@tnc.org.

A jaunt to Berkshire Botanical Garden and Tom Zetterstrom’s “Portraits of Trees” holds the promise of kindling a deeper appreciation of trees and each person’s role in sustaining the natural world.

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