Hybrid Beach Plums

Here we are, at Spot #13, Hybrid Beach Plums. To get here from Spot #12, we backtracked up the hill. The section of Spot #13 pictured here is near the Fruit Trees. The hybrid beach plums form a dense bank at the farm's property boundaries. On the other side of the plums is a cemetery. Part of the cemetery area was originally part of the Farm.

Mr. Burbank was very interested in the Beach Plum, a species that grows naturally on the East coast. He used this species to cross breed other plums. Mr. Burbank was patient; sometimes it was the 4th or 5th generation later before a really good plum would emerge.

Return to Main Lobby

A Chestnut with Grafted Branches

Now we are at the highest point on the Farm, Spot #14, the Hybrid Chestnut. This is a very nice shady spot, with a bench near the path. This hybrid chestnut is a huge "mother" tree from Luther Burbank's time. It has several grafts with distinct leaves; one of the grafts has even displayed variegation in its leaf color.

Here is a closer look at some of the hybrid chestnut's branches. Can you spot any different leaf types? Can you see its long yellow flowers?

The photo on the left shows the whole tree. The photo below is a close-up of the actual chestnuts. They look prickly, don't they? The outside is the "bur" and inside you may find 2-3 chestnuts, about 1 inch long each.

Return to GRF Map

Return to Main Lobby