Upcoming Classes at the Arnold Arboretum

The Arnold Arboretum now offers classes at its new Weld Hill Research Building, adjacent to the Longfellow Area.  On Wednesday, August 10, the arboretum will present a free session (registration is required) on the topic of sustainable gardening. 

Iñaki Hormaza, Arnold Arboretum Research Associate and Professor, Mayora Research Station of the Spanish Council for Scientific Research, will be discussing the cherimoya, a potentially sustainable fruit tree originating in the Andes, and his project which unites conservation, research, and production methods. In Central America, the cherimoya is called the Anona and in English speaking countries it is sometimes referred to as the “custard apple” or “sugar apple.”  It should be a wonderful evening linking research to the lives of small scale farmers in Central and South America.

From Genomics to Small Scale Agriculture: Tale of the Cherimoya, an Ancient New Crop

Iñaki Hormaza, Arnold Arboretum Research Associate and Professor, Mayora Research Station of the Spanish Council for Scientific Research

Wed Aug 10, 7:00–8:30pm [Weld Hill, 1300 Centre Street, Boston] Free, registration requested

The cherimoya, a fruit tree originating in the Andes, holds potential as a sustainable crop for the countries of that region and beyond. A wealth of genetic diversity, excellent organoleptic qualities (sensory food appeal), and high nutrition content make this fruit a potential component of Andean food security. Iñaki Hormaza, a visiting plant biologist at the Arboretum, is coordinating a project to capitalize on the species’ potential and will talk about his work that unites conservation, research, and production methods.

Please refer to the arboretum’s online calendar for more events, many of which are offered at Weld Hill.