This portion of the fence depicts the story of the flame tree because the idea of the flame tree and its seeds dispersed to many places is central to the purposes of the nursery. The far left panel shows the story written on the fence with the two panels flanking the gate illustrating the maiden's release of butterflies and bees in search of Tutu and the villagers discovery of the flame tree growing from their graves. The far right panel shows phenologic detail (detailed illustrations of the leaves, bark, fall color, fruit and flowers) of the 'Autumn Flame' red maple, our native "flame tree" which has been included in the nursery palette. The gate itself is in the shape of the "flame tree" by the lakeside with the spaces between the branches cut out to allow views of the nursery interior in the same manner as does the wood lattice on the fence. To enter the nursery it is necessary to pass through the flame tree.



Fence Detail (click picture to see the writing on the fence)

The design of the fence is of a fairly standard detail, consisting of 1"x 6" board on cross rail topped with wood lattice. The vertically placed board recalls the upright form of the tree trunks behind the fence with the wood lattice anticipating openness of tree canopies by allowing fenestrated views inside the nursery.