homegarden-20260315

Home & Garden

ANTIQUES: The beauty of Japanese cloisonne, F7 IN THE GARDEN: Growing cardoon and fig plants in cold climates, F4

The tiny forests that could save endangered trees

By K ate Morgan

The Washington Post

DAVID EASTER-

brook is an unlikely influencer. The retiree has more than 1 million followers watching him water his plants on Instagram. Easterbrook doesn’t have your average backyard garden. The horticulturalist, and former curator at the Montreal Botanical Garden, is one of the world’s leading experts in bonsai.

The art of bonsai originated in Asia more than a thousand years ago. The word translates, roughly, to “potted tree,” and growing a bonsai involves strategically and often aggressively pruning a plant and its roots to create a miniaturized version.

For Easterbrook and other experts, bonsai is a fascinating and fun hobby, but it also has potential as a tool for conservation. Bonsai trees can be remarkably long-lived — some examples in Japan are hundreds of years old — and Easterbrook sees them as a way to ensure species persist in an uncertain environmental future. Trees threatened by climate change, habitat loss, overharvesting and invasive species can often thrive in a smaller form.

“Bonsai preserves genetics,” he says. “Every tree has an ecological memory in miniature. So, in that sense, bonsai practitioners are sort of very quiet conservationists.”

A bonsai tree is no different genetically from its fullsize brethren. Despite their small size, they function like normal trees. They lose their leaves and needles in autumn, and some varieties even bear fruit. Chris Baker, curator of bonsai at the Chicago Botanic Garden, believes bonsai collections can act as DNA repositories, with the potential to use them for future restoration projects, or to further work to find pest- and disease-resistant varieties of threat-

ened species. “Institutions can work together to continue to do that work,” he says, “looking for genetic anomalies, or subspecies that are more adapted to certain temperatures. Bonsai can help us find those survivors, and they can be propagated and maybe even reintroduced.”

This creates an opportunity, Easterbrook says, “to try to preserve some of our native species so that our children and grandchildren can see them.”

The art of bonsai was introduced to North America relatively recently, Easterbrook says, “basically after the Second World War.

It took a long time for bonsai to become established, and at first people thought a tree could only be a bonsai if it came from Japan.”

In fact, explains Baker, when most people imagine a bonsai tree, they probably picture a commonly used species native to Asia, like some types of juniper, Chinese elm, or Japanese maple or pine.

“But through the years, we’ve begun utilizing more

and more of our native species here in North America, and species from other regions throughout the world,” he says. A project at the botanic garden highlights bonsai versions of many of those species, including European olive trees, coastal redwoods, the limber pine and the metasequoia.

“It’s a great opportunity to expose a broad audience to these trees which grow in threatened areas, or that are dying because of climate change,” Baker says. “We’re losing their native environments, and at some point, we’re going to get to where these trees don’t exist in nature anymore. There is going to come a time where certain species might only exist in captivity, if you will.

“In the meantime, not everybody can go walk in Muir Woods [National Monument] on the West Coast,” he adds. “Not everyone can go down south and experience the swamps. But far more people can come to the Chicago Botanic Garden or visit other public and private bonsai collections.”

The trees can act as educational ambassadors, Easterbrook says, offering an opportunity for people to get close to species they might not get to experience otherwise. “I have several American elms in my collection,” he says. “They’ve pretty rapidly disappeared from the landscape because of Dutch elm disease.” He has an American chestnut, which dominated eastern forests until it was almost completely wiped out by an early 20th-century blight. “I’ve often gone to the very far north of Quebec, on the tundra, collecting several-hundred-year-old larch trees,” he says.

And in addition to preserving native species, Easterbrook says, the hobby can help control non-natives. In New York state, where a variety of euonymus (otherwise known as burning bush) has become invasive, “a nature reserve asks bonsai people to go in there and dig them out to use as bonsai,” Easterbrook says. He also points to the pine-like casuarina, which is native to Australia and has “become a menace in Florida.” Their sale, cultivation and transport are now restricted by state law and require a permit, “but bonsai people still find wild ones and collect them,” Easterbrook adds, “and they’re doing the environment a favor.”

Many bonsai growers and enthusiasts get interested in the hobby simply because the trees are cool to look at, says Baker. But the art is a gateway, he believes, to a much deeper ecological understanding.

“The best bonsai isn’t just a tree in a pot, but a composition,” he says, “with understory and herbaceous plants, rocks, mosses. You create an ecosystem, and now it can teach people not just about a single tree, but how that tree ties into the environment. I think that’s where the real value is.”

Easterbrook agrees, and part of what makes his work so popular is that he’s not

just miniaturizing one tree at a time. He makes bonsai forests: Complete, thriving biomes several feet high, which offer an opportunity to study and understand a forest ecosystem. His most-watched videos feature him simply

watering his miniature forests of larch, sequoia, ginkgo and more. Whenever he displays his work, Easterbrook says, the forests are what really seem to capture audiences’ imaginations.

“Especially children,” he

says, “because they’re at eye level with the forest, and they’re just fascinated. Most people go gaga for them, and they’re a wonderful tool for understanding forest ecology and the way the trees grow together as a community. In

that very visceral way, I think people can sometimes connect with forests more than individual trees.”

Kate Morgan is a freelance writer in Richland, Pennsylvania.

Lee Reich | In the Garden

Growing cardoon and fig plants in cold climates

HERE’S A BACKward story and a forward story. About plants, of course. And the plants are linked in that both of them are native to the Mediterranean region. But for centuries both plants have been grown world-wide wherever winters are mild. And, with some special attention, by enthusiasts (such as me), in gardens where winters are frigid.

Perhaps you’ve already guessed the two plants. If not, they are cardoon and fig. Let’s start with the backward story, which is the one about cardoon.

The end of the cardoon story begins with my memory of last summer’s very bold plant whose whorl of glaucous, spiny leaves rose three feet or more above ground level. Bold as it was, the pièce de résistance for this plant was the flower stalks that pushed skyward well above that leafy whorl to be capped by a bottlebrush cluster of cerulean flowers mimicking the blue of the sky.

Right now, my cardoon

WEST SPRINGFIELD West Springfield Garden Club meeting

The West Springfield Garden Club will meet on Thursday, March 19, at 6 p.m., in the J. Edward Christian Municipal Office Building, 26 Central St. Parking is available in the municipal lot across the street. The meeting will be in the Justin Morgan Auditorium on the second floor. The evening’s speaker is, Ahrayah Julian, owner and designer at Willow and Moss Flowers, who will share her knowledge about “Ikebana.” The art of ikebana has been cultivated in Japan since the 14th century. Ikebana characteristically uses branches in its arrangements

plant is just beginning to show it’s muscle, which surprised me. I thought it would still be asleep, the leaves, which I had cut off but which would have anyway frozen in winter, are long gone but the roots, I thought, would still be awaiting spring warmth.

Not so; cardoon wasn’t waiting any longer. To make sure it survived winter, back in late December, I had covered the whole plant with an upturned large, black plastic flower pot, then topped that and banked up the sides with wood chips. A few days ago, I noticed some leaves attempting escape just beyond the pot’s upside down rim. I pulled back the chips and removed the pot and, lo’ and behold, the whole plant was raring to grow, with a few leafy whorls already about a foot high.

My guess is that, with nothing more than a little mulch, cardoon roots would survive the Zone 5 winters here.

Besides putting on quite a show, cardoon is considered a delicacy to some people. Not me; I grow it only for

to draw lines that define the flow of space. Arrangements are lean, minimalist, eliminate excess and highlight individual flowers and features. The public is welcome to attend. Please contact BeckyJean at beckyjean@ beckyjeanthompson.com to RSVP.

SPRINGFIELD

Springfield Garden Club upcoming programs

The Springfield Garden Club is hosting a series of programs for anyone interested gardens and gardening or just escaping the winter for an hour.

The programs will be held at The Monkey House in Forest Park at 10 a.m.

show. The leaf stalks and the flower stalks are all part of Mediterranean cuisine. Cardoon is a dead ringer for artichoke, to which it is closely related, sometimes both plants are considered botanical varieties of the same species.

one of a few varieties that bore last summer.

I grew up in Ireland watching my father work hard and take pride in doing things the right way. He showed me early on that your word matters, that shortcuts aren’t worth it, and that good work speaks for itself. I came to America in the 1980s with $80 and my father’s work ethic. I’m thankful for the opportunities this country gave me, and proud to now call myself a "Yank."

Admission is free to all with paid park admission. More information can be found on the club’s website www. springfieldgardenclubma. org or on Facebook.

Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m., “Vegetable Gardening 101” presented by Gretel Anspach

Saturday, April 11, 10 a.m., “Planning and Growing a Bountiful Flower Garden” presented by Becky Sadlowski.

Springfield Garden Club offers $2,000 Scholarship

The Springfield Garden Club is accepting applications for their annual $2,000 scholarship awarded to a graduating high school senior, undergraduate or graduate college student majoring in a full-time plant science or environmental studies program, such as horticulture, floriculture, landscape design, conservation, forestry, botany, agronomy, plant pathology, environmental control, land management or other allied fields.

The candidate must be a resident of Hampden County, demonstrate financial need and have adequate academic standing. High school seniors, undergraduate and graduate college students are eligible for consideration.

For additional information and to request a copy of the application contact Daniel Sheehy at SGCscholarship@ gmail.com.

Scholarship applications are to be complete and meet the submission deadline of April 1, to be eligible for consideration.The SGC has awarded over $90,000 to more than 60 students during the past 30 plus years. Funds for the scholarship are raised at the annual plant sale held each year in the Spring. The Annual Plant Sale this year will be held at Forest Park on Sumner Avenue in Springfield on Saturday, May 30 from 9AM to noon.

For more information on the Springfield Garden Club events go to www.springfieldgardenclubma.org or visit them on Facebook at https://www.facebook. com/SpringfieldMAGardenClub/

STOCKBRIDGE

Upcoming events at Berkshire Botanical Garden

Berkshire Botanical Garden presents the following upcoming program: Saturday, March 21, 10 a.m. to noon, “Go Big or Go Home: A Beginners Guide to Growing World Class Pumpkins, Step into the fascinating world of competitive giant pumpkin growing and learn what it takes to cultivate pumpkins that tip the scales at 1,000 pounds and beyond. Led by Adam Wheeler of Broken Arrow Nursery, this lecture breaks down the art and science behind producing world-class giants, from seed selection to harvest.

Participants will explore proven techniques used by top growers, including soil preparation, nutrient man-

Tips: Growing for a Changing Climate.” “Gardening in Small Spaces,” “From One Comes Many: Propagation Workshop,” (Hands on); “Invasive Species 101: Identification & Management,” “Vegetables vs Pests: Time to Win,” “Design Your Own Water Feature,”; Let’s Go Native: A Sustainable, Attainable Approach,” “Get Your Hands Dirty! Creating a Succulent Garden,” (Hands On).

Online registration is $35 through March 26. Walk-ins’ day of workshop $40 (cash only), mail in registration through March 16, $35. Register online at WMMGA.org. Register early as classed fill up quickly.

WILBRAHAM Garden club scholarships applications

agement, vine training, pollination strategies, pest and disease control, and effective season-long care. We’ll also discuss the genetics behind winning pumpkin lines, how to track plant growth and ways to troubleshoot common issues. Free seeds for all those who attend. Cost is $30 members, $45 nonmembers. For more information, visit www.berkshirebotanical. org. Berkshire Botanical Garden is located at 5 West Stockbridge Road.

WESTFIELD

Spring gardening workshops

The Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association will hold their spring gardening workshops on Saturday, March 28, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Westfield Middle School South, 30 West Silver St. The workshops feature 10 classes designed to educate and empower the home gardener. Topic Choices: choose one class for each session. The following classes are “Using Trees and shrubs for Year Long Interest”; “Berry Delicious gardens”; “Practical

must be received on or before April 30. Notifications will be made by mid-May and the recipients will be awarded their scholarships at the annual meeting of the Wilbraham Garden Club on June 5. Scholarship applicants will be available at the Wilbraham and Hampden Public Libraries, Minnechaug Regional High School and Wilbraham Monson Academy. They can also be found on the Wilbraham Garden Club Facebook page. Please contact howella413@ gmail.com with questions or to receive an application.

AGAWAM Garden club scholarship

The Wilbraham Garden Club is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for two, $1,000 scholarships. We are accepting applications from graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, and graduate college students majoring in or who plan to major in, one of the programs listed below. Eligible student must be residents of Wilbraham or Hampden, MA.

All applicants must be enrolled in one of these fields of study: Botany, Horticulture, Conservation, Environmental Science, Earth Systems, Forest Management, Natural Resources, Plant, soil and Insect Science, Sustainable Agricultures, Sustainable Horticulture, Food and Farming, Turf Grass Science & Management, Landscape Design & Management Technology, Landscape Architecture, Oceanography, Clean Energy Technology, Floral Design or Land Management.

Applicants must include a personal essay of 100-200 words, official high school or college transcript(s), two letters of recommendation, college acceptance letters(s) if available, along with the completed Wilbraham Garden Club Scholarship application. All required documentation

Applications are now available for the Agawam Garden Club 2026 scholarship. To qualify for the scholarship students must be a graduating senior of Agawam High School or a college student who graduated from Agawam High School and is planning to attend an institution of higher learning in the fall. Applicants must be majoring in or planning on majoring in one of the following: botany, environmental engineering, environmental science, earths systems, forest management, natural resources, plant soil and insect science, sustainable agriculture, sustainable horticulture or food and farming, turf grass science and management, landscape design and management technology, clean energy, technology studies: waste water or other environmental related studies.

The recipient will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship at the clubs annual May meeting. Completed applications along with transcripts and references must be submitted to Denise Carmody, 40 Primrose Lane, Agawam MA 01001 by April 1st. Applications are available through Agawam High School or can be found on the website at agawamgardenclub.com.

Send items for Garden Notes to pmastriano@repub.com two weeks prior to publication.

Terry & Kim Kovel | Antiques & Collecting

Cloisonne was revolutionized by Japanese in 19th century

CLOISONNE GETS ITS NAME from the metal “cloisons,” French for “partitions,” that are filled with enamel, creating the multicolor designs. Despite the French name, the technique has been used in many parts of the world. It was revolutionized in Japan in the 19th century, when artist Kaji Tsunekichi, working as a metal gilder to supplement the stipend he received as a former samurai, deconstructed a piece of Chinese cloisonne to develop his own techniques. He soon began training other artists in cloisonne, which exploded in popularity in Japan, where it was called shippo. Many regional styles were developed, and many regions and artists had their own workshops. Japanese cloisonne gained worldwide recognition when the Nagoya Company won first prize at the Vienna Exhibition of 1873, furthering its popularity and production. Workshops made everything from vases to trays to cigarette cases. Generally, Japanese cloisonne features a single central motif or scenic design, instead of the stylized repeating patterns popular in other countries. Nature and mythology are frequent sources of inspiration. A small cloisonne box, measuring 3 1/2 inches wide and 2 inches tall, with a colorful bird and flowers on a yellow background with green geometric trim, sold for $132 at Richard Opfer Auctioneering, Inc. It was made by the Inaba Company, which was established in Kyoto in the 1880s.

Q. When, if ever, is it a good idea to refinish antique furniture? I have a chest that I believe is from about 1910, and the finish has cracks and blotches all over. Is this considered patina or damage? Does it take away from the value? Will it lower the value to have it refinished?

A. It sounds like the finish on your chest has gone through what some collectors call “alligatoring.” It looks cracked and bumpy like alligator skin, and it happens to some finishes with age and sunlight exposure. Some collectors like it and consider it part of the character of an antique. Others don’t and see it as damage.

In general, furniture from the 20th century or later, even from the early 20th century like your chest, will not lose much, if any, value if it is refinished, unless it is handmade or by a famous maker. As a general rule,

Some of the best cloisonne was made in Japan in the Meiji era of the late 19th to early 20th centuries. This box was made by the Inaba Company, founded in the 1880s. (RICHARD OPFER AUCTIONEERING, INC.)

refinishing lowers the value of antique furniture from the 18th century or earlier, if it is by a famous maker, or if it is handmade. Original finish, even with damage, is also desirable for some pieces with a rustic or “country” look.

By about 1900, inexpensive furniture was being mass-produced in factories. Most of the furniture from this time period on the market consists of these factory-made pieces and has relatively low resale value. You may want to do some research on your chest to see whether this is the case. If so, whether you refinish it is up to you and will have little effect on its value.

Q. I have a collection of Waterford crystal that I would like to sell. How do I know which pieces have value? Where is a good place to sell them?

A. The Waterford glass factory was established in Waterford, Ireland, by brothers George and William Penrose in 1783. The factory quickly became known for its fine crystal but closed in the 1850s. It was re-established by Czech glassmaker Karel Bacik in the 1940s. The Lismore pattern, created in 1952, was based on the company’s original crystal patterns from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Today, Waterford is owned by the

CURRENT PRICES

Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. Prices vary in different locations because of local economic conditions.

Toy, tractor, model, Case International, no. 3294, red, black, plastic, die cast, Ertl, 1985, 11 inches, $25. Roseville, Freesia, console, oval, green ground, yellow and purple raised flowers, shaped rim, pierced handles, 16 inches, $35. Jewelry, bracelet, bangle, pierced filigree scrolls, rhinestones, green paste bars, silvertone, art deco, 2 1/2 inches, $85.

Furniture, mirror, Rococo style, gilt bronze frame, allover pierced leafy scrolls, mask crest, two candleholders, marked, P.E. Guerin, N.Y., 19th century, 13 inches, $160.

Hawkes, cocktail, Gladys, cut glass bowl, flared lip, emerald green stem and foot, 4 1/2 inches, $240.

Fiskars Group and is still producing high-quality crystal. Vintage and antique pieces are extremely desirable to collectors. Waterford crystal made after 1950 has an acid-etched mark. A seahorse logo was added to the mark in the 1990s. The value of a piece depends on its condition and pattern. Condition is extremely important for crystal; chipped, cracked, or cloudy pieces will have low value. If you have a large collection of especially rare, valuable pieces, you may want to contact an auction house that specializes in glass. Otherwise, you may want to contact an antique dealer in your area. A pattern-matching service is another possibility.

TIP: You can cover up a small chip in an enamel or even a piece of porcelain with a bit of colored nail polish. It comes in almost every color now.

Kovels answers readers’ questions sent to the column. Send a letter with one question describing the size, material (glass, pottery) and what you know about the item. Include only two pictures: the object and a close-up of any marks or damage. Be sure your name and return address are included. By sending a question, you give full permission for use in any Kovel product. Names, addresses

Advertising, illustration, St. Patrick’s Day Beer, man holding glass, smiling, wearing green hat with buckle, oil on canvas, frame, mid20th century, 20 x 33 inches, $315. Furniture, buffet, Louis XV style, oak, carved, leafy scrolled crest, shelf with cabriole legs over mirror backsplash, two drawers over two doors over open shelf, France, 84 x 38 inches, $320.

Purse, Alma, dome shape, Epi leather, green, top zipper, rolled handles, suede lining, interior pocket, gold tone hardware, adjustable strap, Louis Vuitton, 10 x 12 inches, $715.

Candlestick, wood, bog oak, carved, acorns around cups, dangling leaves, towers over Celtic crosses on standard, spiral carved foot, Ireland, late 1800s, 10 inches, pair, $910.

Staffordshire, group, St. Patrick’s Day, three figures, fiddle player standing on barrel, two dancers, man and woman, multicolor, oval base, 14 inches, $1,070.

or email addresses will not be published. We do not guarantee the return of photographs, but if a stamped envelope is included, we will try. Questions that are answered will appear in Kovels Publications. Write to Kovels, The Republican, King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th Street, 41st Floor, New York, NY 10019, or email us at collectorsgallery@kovels. com.

Average US rate on long-term mortgage increases to 6.11%

Rate back to where it was 5 weeks ago

By A lex Veiga Associated Press

The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate rose again this week, reflecting ongoing bond market jitters over the war with Iran.

The benchmark 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate ticked up to 6.11% from 6% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. One year ago, the rate averaged 6.65%.

The average rate is now back to where it was five weeks ago. Just two weeks ago, it touched its lowest level in three and a half years. It has been hovering around 6% this year, an encouraging backdrop for prospective home shoppers who can afford to buy at current rates just as the spring homebuying season gets rolling.

Meanwhile, borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with homeowners refinancing their home loans, also rose this week. That average rate rose to 5.5% from 5.43% last week. A year ago, it was at 5.8%, Freddie Mac said.

Mortgage rates are influenced by several factors, from the Federal Reserve’s interest rate policy decisions to bond market investors’ expectations for the economy and inflation. They generally follow the trajectory of the 10-year Treasury yield, which lenders use as a guide to pricing home loans.

The 10-year Treasury yield was at 4.25% at midday Thursday, up from around 4.13% a week ago. Treasury yields have

Deeds

AGAWAM

A&H Legacy LLC, to Tacettin Arici, 1730 Main St., $580,000.

climbed recently as rising oil prices have stoked fears of higher inflation. That concern has outwestighed last month’s surprisingly weak report on hiring by U.S. employers and a relatively stable snapshot on inflation at the consumer level taken before the outbreak of the Iran war.

“Under normal circumstances, these soft economic readings would put downward pressure on mortgage rates, however, the news out of the Middle East is overriding those signals,” Hannah Jones, senior economist research analyst at Realtor.com said in an email.

Higher oil prices can put upward pressure on inflation, which could keep the Federal Reserve from cutting interest rates.

The central bank doesn’t set mortgage rates, but its decisions to raise or lower its shortterm rate are watched closely by bond investors and can ultimately affect the yield on 10-year Treasurys that influence mortgage rates.

The U.S. housing market remains in a slump dating back to 2022, when mortgage rates began to climb from pandemic-era lows.

Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes have been hovering close to a 4-million annual pace now going back to 2023 — well short of the 5.2-million annual pace that’s historically been the norm.

They sank last year to a 30-year low and have remained sluggish so far this year, falling short of their year-earlier pace in January and February even as mortgage rates are lower than they were a year ago.

Ana Kaletina and Oleg Kaletin to Danylo Verbakhivskyi and Svitlana Kovalchuk, 491 South West St., $385,000.

Ba Van Tran and Jenny Ly to Ky Nguyen, 40 Nolan Lane, $560,000.

Benjamin A. McCormick and Amanda M. McCormick to Ruslan Yankevych and Nadiia Yankevych, 32 Lealand Ave., $295,000.

CAF Nominee Trust, trustee of, Charles A. Fijnvandraat, trustee, and Charles Fijnvandraat, trustee, to Mikhail Vaysbaum, 270 Regency Park Drive, Unit 270, $177,325.

LHT Realty LLC, to Hmood Aljashaam, 304-306 Cooper St., $500,000.

Michele Trznadel, representative, Michelle Trznadel, representative, Philomena James, estate, and Lori Ann Bryant to Brittney Bryant, 130 Cosgrove Ave., $130,000.

MS Homes LLC, to James Stellato Jr., Harvard Avenue, $65,000.

AMHERST

Amhad Development Corp., to Edith Mor and Yadin Mor, 28 Greenleaves Drive, $325,000.

Raymond A. Audette, personal representative, Patricia Ellen Joyce, estate, and Patricia A. Joyce, estate, to Christopher Lee Cox, 270 North East St., $295,000.

ASHFIELD

Veronica Jewell, personal representative of the Estate of Albert H. Rimbach Jr., to Allen J. Gabriel and Victoria R. Gravel, 286 Creamery Road and Creamery Road, $200,000.

BELCHERTOWN

Michelle Dalkas to Modern Homes LLC, Aldrich Street, $80,000.

BERNARDSTON

Beth A. Melnik to Ayden Stacy, 118 Brattleboro Road, $285,000.

BRIMFIELD

Jason R. Richard to Benjamin Peters, 281 Warren Road, $425,000.

Michael J. Rondeau, trustee, and Alberts Family Trust 2024, trustee of, to Lucy Ndurere, 258 East Old Sturbridge Road, $304,000.

CHESTER

Clark W. Jones and Kathleen F. Jones to Berkshire Land Co. LLC, 24 Bromley Road, $145,000.

CHESTERFIELD

Pablo De Leon to Liza Beth Weldon, Northwest Road and South Street, $165,000.

Jack C. Henry and Elaine J. Henry to Timothy J. Kent, 8 Ring Road, $580,000.

CHICOPEE

Baystate Medical Center Inc., to Ludlow Construction Co. Inc., 451 Center St., $1,750,000.

Christina A. Hedges and Michael J. Hedges to Nguyen Nguyen and Jaiden Demers, 844 McKinstry Ave., $280,000.

David S. Triffletti and Kelsey Triffletti to Joseph Latour and Jeannette Latour, 39 McCarthy Ave., $288,000.

Duane E. Sivard and Melissa Ann Sivard to Jason Breault, 60 Hawthorn St., $253,000.

Jeffrey A. Neece, representative, Paul Richard Neece, estate, and Paul R. Neece, estate, to Kyle R. Laplante, 34 Jennings St., $228,000.

Joseph R. Nichols, Gary E. Nichols, Steven P. Nichols, Susan Rud-Redfern, Beverley L. Kopec and Rodger E. Nichols to Adnaloy Lugo, 40 Lauzier Terrace, $285,000.

Louise D. Durand, representative, Norman J. Muller, estate, and Norman Joseph Muller, estate, to Susan Morrie, 200 Lambert Terrace, Unit 30, $265,000.

Manasa LLC, to Burhan Holdings Two LLC, 109 Church St., $275,000.

Matthew J. Berube, representative, and Charles F. Berube, estate, to Carrie Desmarais and Ryan Hutchinson, 180 Fletcher Circle, $344,000.

Naples Home Buyers Inc., to Carrasquillo Fix Up LLC, 27 Bostwick Lane, $200,000.

Valerie Smith, trustee, Valerie Kwiecien, trustee, and Valerie Kwiecien Family Revocable Trust, trustee of, to Donna Nikodem, 585 Sheridan St., Unit 46, $305,000.

CONWAY

Daniel L. Wells and Sara E. Wells to Vincent P. Hohreiter, Shelburne Falls Road, $40,000.

DEERFIELD

Town of Deerfield to ORAFOL Americas Inc., Sugarloaf Street, $50,000.

EAST LONGMEADOW

Amanda Torres-Alvarado and Jennifer Torres to Thomas Vuong and Kim Vuong, 4 Millbrook Drive, $600,000.

Brian L. McClelland and Sarah H. McClelland to Jason Van Buren, 123 Mountainview Road, $520,000. Christopher Bushey, trustee, and

Westernview Irrevocable Trust, trustee of, to Gordon Francis Dambrosio and Kate Jaksik, 61 Westernview Circle, $515,000.

D R Chestnut LLC, to Jane Pickles, 50 Broadleaf Circle, Unit III-21, $650,000. Gabrielle L. McEvoy, Gabrielle L. Mack and Seamus P. McEvoy to Susan Thibault, 19 Anne St., $375,000.

EASTHAMPTON

Carolyn Murphy and Caleb Dardick to Anna Cartella Siembor, 19 Mt. Tom Ave., $325,000.

GRANBY

DGL Properties LLC, to Timothy E. Presz and Madeline C. Presz, Cold Hill Road, $90,000.

Luis Builders Inc., to Elio M. Pereira and Kimberly C. Pereira, 46 North St., $570,500.

GREENFIELD

Dennis M. McGahanand and Jane A. McGahanand to Dennis M. McGahanand, 48 Petty Plain Road, $50,000

Shannon M. Petrin to Make Investments Great Again LLC, 26-28 Devens St., $170,000.

Sandra Lamont-Golden to Megan L. Dredge and Scott M. Dredge, 63 Pleasant St., $236,750.

James Ryan Gleason and Rebecca Koganer to Danielle Saint Louis, 63 James St., $378,000.

HADLEY

David H. Graves and Angela T. Graves to David Harry Graves, trustee, Angela T. Graves, trustee, and David & Angela Graves Revocable Trust, 47 Rocky Hill Road, $100.

HAMPDEN

Allen E. Warren Jr., and Caitlin Hutter to Heather Turcotte, Kaela Ladouceur and Bryce Ostrander, 59 Baldwin Drive, $304,000.

Stephen Burke to Kelly A. Karam, 35 Greenleaf Drive, $108,500.

HATFIELD

Gerald J. Gower to Suzanne A. Gower, 74 Dwight St., $40,000.

Tascon Homes LLC, to Roger H. Piekarski Jr., and Sherri-Ann Piekarski, 12 Dwight St., $475,000.

HOLYOKE

HHA-South Holyoke Homes II LLC, to Julia I. Colon, 205 Clemente St., $245,000.

Holly A. Sanville and Holly A. Fredette to JahJan LLC, 30 Laurel St., $110,000.

Deeds

JJJ17 LLC, to Adalgiza Ortiz, 201 Locust St., $289,000.

Marolis Acosta Cruz to Lennox C. Williams, 49 View St., $445,000.

Stephen B. Pelhan and Katherine A. Markelz to Robert Burkey and Kristina Burkey, 27 Lexington Ave., $565,000.

HUNTINGTON

Jeffrey Keeney and Shelley L. Keeney to Asherah Allen, 208 Worthington Road, $315,000.

LUDLOW

Emtay Inc., to Lauren Gobler and Emelia Ferguson, 28 Miller St., $335,000.

Raphael Marrero Jr., and Sarah Buelow to Robert K. Barnard Jr., and Amybeth Barnard, 67 Hill Terrace, $440,000.

MONSON

AJV Investments LLC, to Kristen Lombardo and Kevin Hepburn, 24 Flynt Ave., $345,000.

Andre J. Cormier Jr., to Dam Nguyen, 26 Green St., $330,000.

Charles A. Grace, trustee, Victoria Grace, trustee, and Charles & Phyllis Grace Living Trust, trustee of, to Danielle Lacroix and Joshua Lacroix, 150 Stafford Hollow Road, $500,000.

Deborah A. Skinner, representative, and Lawrence F. Debarge, estate, to Michael C. Gouin and Amy J. Porter, 4 Thayer Road, $590,000.

James P. Bailey to Elizabeth J. Starzyk, 221 Cedar Swamp Road, $607,000.

Michael A. Dupuis to George Parent and Carleen Dupuis, 115 Peck Brothers Road, $314,000.

Michael Grochowski II, and Michelle Leanne Grochowski to Hannah Grocott, 54 High St., $355,000.

Tracy Trant Senecal and Traci Trant Senecal to James B. Howard Jr., 84 Silver St., $17,500.

NORTHAMPTON

Kathleen C. Larsen to Philip R. Bustin and Kathleen M. O’Donnell-Bustin, 48 Chapel St., $430,000.

Michael J. Doherty, Toni Beth Doherty and Toni B. Doherty to Michael J. Doherty, trustee, Toni B. Doherty, trustee, and Michael & Toni Doherty Family Trust, 28 Fruit St., $100.

Candice A. Reffe and Edward A. Hogan to Donna L. Russo-Savage, trustee, Stuart Freeland Russo-Savage, trustee, and Russo-Savage Family Trust, 14 Arlington St., $842,000.

Timothy Saldo and Denise J. Miner to AAA Full Circle Adoptions & Family Building Center Inc., 8 Bridge St., $145,000.

NORTHFIELD

Kellie L. Martin and Ryan K. Martin to Jared Erho, 396 Mount Hermon Station Road, $295,000.

Christopher Williams, trustee of the Marilyn A. Williams Family Trust, to Cynthia Williams, 2 West Lane, $100.

ORANGE

George Malcolm Corrigan and Denise Joyce Corrigan, trustees of the George Malcolm Corrigan and Denise Joyce Corrigan Revocable Living Trust, “aka” Revokable Living Trust, to Luis Quinonez, 260 East Road, $457,000.

Modena Inc., to Virginia Realty Inc., 37 Dexter St., $165,000.

James E. Hause Jr., and Serena L. Hause to Cameron James Clark, 520 South Main St., $290,000.

PALMER

Ann V. Wright to Ann Harrington, 140 Shearer St., $260,000.

Byron Fonville and Cheryl Fonville to Olivia L. Szydziak, 2034 Pleasant St., $317,525.

Jason R. Aliengena and Jason Robert Aliengena to Aaron J. Trzeciak and Kelli M. Trzeciak, 142 Breckenridge St., $208,500.

Lisa LaBonte, representative, Nancy M. LaBonte, estate, and Nancy M. Ayers, estate, to Phillip Jefferson Fana, 33 Chudy St., $315,000.

Margaret Arnold to Joanne Kendrick, 15 Michael Drive, $360,000.

Revampit LLC, to Lindsey Manick, 54 Bourne St., $294,000.

Russell N. Bergeron, trustee, Linda M. Bergeron, trustee, and 18-26 High Street Realty Trust, trustee of, to Solun LLC, 2018-2020 High St., $300,000.

Sarah McPartland and Kenneth McPartland to Rebecca G. Shea and Daniel J. Shea III, 305 Burlingame Road, $364,000.

Sheila A. Zajac and Leslie M. Skowyra to Chad Bradway and Krystle Robare, 79 Griffin St., $340,000.

PELHAM

Linda Bersee and Wouter Hoogkamer to Lara S. Friedman, 15

Gulf Road, $600,000.

ROWE

Dorothea M. Johnson and Kevin Johnson to Amy Buxton and Kyle Buxton, 201 Ford Hill Road, $415,000.

RUSSELL

Jonathan K. Groff, trustee, and Land Lot Trust, trustee of, to Jerald L. Reinford, 239 Westfield Road, $35,000.

SOUTH HADLEY

Suzanne R. Normand, personal representative, Melide Normand, estate, and Melide C. Normand, estate, to Megan P. Heath, 41 West Summit St., $210,500.

Matthew J. Simpson to Monique Lauren Camuse, 5 Marion St., $289,900.

Thomas A. Douglas and Grace Douglas to Josephine Wermuth and Vincent Barry, 50 Bardwell St., $295,000.

Analytical Sciences Marketing Group LLC, and Anniemac Private Equity Cash2Keys to Thomas Douglas and Grace Hernandez Douglas, 47 Pynchon Road, $425,000.

David Archambault and Deborah Archambault to Michael Lebert and Kristine Stanley, 34 Hildreth Ave., $388,000.

Elizabeth Jane Starzyk and Elizabeth Starzyk Moriarty to Sarah J. Meirs and Juliette E. Meek, 115 Woodbridge St., $565,000.

Asherah B. Allen and Adrian Richmond to Matthew Simpson and Meredith Robinson, 200 East St., $425,000.

Colondres & Co LLC, to DGL Properties LLC, Silver Street, $125,000.

Colondres Co LLC, to Katharine Hastings Lowry, 36 Silver St., $498,000.

Tamara Adkins to Beth Pearlstein and Brian Gallagher, 73 Lyman St., $365,000.

SOUTHAMPTON

Caryl J. McPherson and Daniel J. McPherson to Benjamin Arthur McPherson and Claudia Nocente, 46 High St., $340,000.

Laurie Syms Bramwell, trustee, James P. Brodeur, trustee, Robert N. Brodeur Jr., trustee, and Symborski Family Trust to Julio A. Miranda Sanchez and Carol J. Patterson, 10 Golden Circle, $600,000.

SOUTHWICK

MHI Properties LLC, to Eric Dz-

iewit and Cheri Costa, 2 Lakemont St., $455,000.

Tanya Kellogg, trustee, and Constance K. Kellogg Trust, trustee of, to Jesse Sobczyk, 371 Rear North Loomis St., $52,000.

SPRINGFIELD

Aisha T. Williams-Garcia, Ivan G. Garcia and Ivan Garcia to Damarys Ocasio, 83 Gilman St., $280,000.

Amjad Real Estate LLC, to Eduard Yanyuk and Anastasia Yanyuk, 52 Price St., $346,900.

Amjad Real Estate LLC, to Eduard Yanyuk and Anastasia Yanyuk, 54 Price St., $346,900.

Angelo A. Gomez Pulgarin, representative, Jorge Enrique Gomez Orozco, estate, and Jorge E. Gomez, estate, to Keila Nakary Lorbes De Diaz and Mario Yeferson Diaz Viveiros, 125 Oakland St., $410,000.

Bedrock Financial LLC, trustee, and 53-61 Glenmore Street Trust, trustee of, to Jacob F. Dutko, trustee, Jacqueline M. Dutko, trustee, and Jacob & Jacqueline Dutko Family Trust, trustee of, 61 Glenmore St., $240,000.

Brittany Headley, representative, and Keith Anson Headley, estate, to Estate Whiz LLC, 120C Lamplighter Lane, $122,600.

Bruce Wright Group LLC, to Bar Belmont LLC, Lyman St., $1,100,000.

Cig2 LLC, to Victor L. Rivas III, and Yanayra Morales Perez, 16-18 Haumont St., $397,000.

Doryne J. Pederzani-Dinneen, representative, Dyann A. Pederzani, estate, and Dyann Andrea Pederzani, estate, to Joan I. Annexy, 785 Dickinson St., $285,000.

Elizabeth M. Labb, representative, Hilda A. Krol, estate, and Hilda Krol, estate, to Mario Coplin, 80 Jean Drive, $275,000.

Emilio Arroyo II, to Webster Units LLC, 20 Webster St., $230,000.

Emtay Inc., to Onstar Properties AA LLC, 273 Orange St., $523,000.

Fabiola Santana Romano De Meuses to Jose Martinez, 34 Wellesley St., $185,000.

Gemini Town Homes LLC, to Cruz N. Perez Ortiz, 62 Central St., Unit 402, $227,000.

Geoffrey Frost and Haleigh Frost to Arimendi Batista, 55 Gardens Drive, $299,000.

HSBC Bank USA, trustee, and Renaissance Home Equity Loan Series 2004-4, trustee of, to Thomas Minutillo, 25 Amherst St., $126,000.

Ivelisse Morales to Pine Hill Management LLC, 27 Middlebrook Drive, $245,000.

James W. Fiore to Cesar J. Reyes and Sharelys N. Concepcion, 42 Talmadge Drive, $299,900.

Juan C. Crespo to Keanu Mercado, 320 Oakland Ave., $350,000.

Juan G. Perez to Herman Lee Pittman IV, 11 Cheyenne Road, $305,000.

Karina Curl to Hugo Guzman and Dinorah Nolberto, 658 Sumner Ave., $429,000.

Lachenauer LLC, to D & A Home Construction Inc., 0 W S Fort Pleasant Ave., $53,000.

Lillian G. Habin to Ryan J. Kelder and Krista Efantis, 865 South Branch Parkway, $275,000.

Marc A. Mercado to Michael Masciadrelli, 63 Granger St., $290,000.

Mark R. Pellerin, representative, and Patricia A. Pellerin, estate, to Skyspec LLC, 85 Bircham St., $152,000.

Megan C. Masse to Xiomara Perez, 552 Dwight Road, $329,000.

Melvin Coleman to Raquel Hernandez, 44 Border St., $365,000. Mik Wedel to Christiane Bitar and Michael Bitar, 30 Jerilis Drive, $315,000.

Nicole Barnett to Joshua D. Wheeler, 55 Florida St., $290,000. NRES LLC, to Mer Franco Reyes and Felisandro Valdez Rosando, 67 Villa Parkway, $277,000.

Oakland Street Properties LLC, to Rafael Lendof, 290 Oakland St., $495,000.

Oakland Street Properties LLC, to Rafael Lendof, 294 Oakland St., $495,000.

Our Legacy LLC, to Taina Lundi and Rikelme Andre Louis Jr., 77 Coleman St., $300,000. Pah Properties LLC, to Juan Angel Pagan, 56 Marshall St., $289,000. Patrick A Donnelly to Yolanda Ivette Montalvo, 99 Rosewell St., $295,000.

Patti Glenn, receiver, Springfield City and Zelta B. Morgan to Springfield City of Homes Development LLC, 56 Bay St., $80,000. Phantom Holdings LLC, to Wilmane W. Alcin, 140-142 Cherry St., $365,000.

Reynaldo Espada-Lombay and Sasha Espada to Victor C. Colon Vazquez and Kiara L. Arvelo Ruiz, 114 Riverton Road, $390,000.

Robert Lichtenfels, representative, Lisa Lorraine Lichtenfels, estate, Lisa L. Lichtenfels, estate, and Lisa Lichtenfels Wilson, estate, to Bert Wright, 146 Bay St., $100,000.

Roberto Cruz to Patricia A. Watkins and Willie B. Watkins, 1201 Allen St., $300,000.

The unopened flower buds do look just like small artichokes. Unfortunately, artichokes are not nearly as cold hardy as cardoon. I grew them with the same winter treatment and they were stone-dead in spring. Moving on to figs, which is a forward-looking story because I’m not sure what to expect from the two plants of this story. I grow lots of fig plants, all of which weather winter here fine by various methods which I detail in my book “Growing Figs in Cold Climates.” The past two winters, I’ve tried a new method that could prove in many ways easier to implement and suited to a broader range of cold-winter fig enthusiasts. To rehash some of what I mention in my book, figs are subtropical plants, with their dormant stems cold hardy into the ‘teens. Many varieties bear fruit each year on new shoots.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

151 Capital Drive LLC, to 151 Capital LLC, 151 Capital Drive, $4,120,000.

Samalid M. Martinez, trustee, and Samalid M. Martinez Revocable Trust, trustee of, to Northern Heights Blue House LLC, 70 Chestnut St., Unit 608, $90,000.

Sonarik M. Ruiz to Jasmine Taylor, 86 Belvidere St., $307,000.

Steven Hull and Susan D. Hull to Destiny Pemberton, 54 Bernard St., $260,000.

Tac P. Diep and Tac Phuong Diep to Frantztes Chery and Jeanine Borelus Chery, 11-15 Groveland St., $319,000.

Thomas E. Whelihan and Patricia A. Whelihan to Xtreme Homes LLC, 49 Corona St., $125,000.

Wilfredo J. Semidey and Sara Semidey to Michele Golding, 29-31 Knox St., $380,000.

William Brown and Brenda Traver to Sen Thi Huynh and Wing Yun Chak, 1688 South Branch Parkway, $385,000.

William Valois, conservator, and Patricia Valois to Manchester Enterprises LLC, 178 Penrose St., $155,000.

SUNDERLAND

Nhu L. Nguyen and Vincent J. Tran to Dieu Le and Trang Le, 147 Plumtree Road, $625,000.

Riverdale Realty Associates LLC, David S. Solomon, trustee, and Joan K. Solomon Trust, trustee of, to Y & S Properties LLC, 2005 Riverdale St., $1,250,000.

Cheryl Ocana to Lockhouse Development LLC, 28 Colony Road, Unit 28, $140,000.

Kate Dinatale, Kate MacDougall and Matthew J. Dinatale to Andrew Crory, 53 Warren St., $308,000.

Scott M. Blair to Richard M. Kuras and Cheryl A. Kuras, 210 Wolcott Ave., $250,000.

WESTFIELD

Benjamin N. Seguin and Samantha N. Seguin to Bruce Fowler, 3 Butler St., $275,000.

Brian S. Marshall and Karen A. Marshall to Oleg Kaletin and Ana Kaletina, 153 Prospect St. Extn, $438,000.

Brian William Parent, Katelyn N. Wheeler and Katelyn N. Parent to Marin Timircan and Maria Timircan, 166 Montgomery Road, $376,000.

Jerry Peake and Nisa Peake to Vivette S. Thompson, 29 Sunrise Terrace, $475,000.

Olga Misiruk and Neyla Misiruk to Olena Nimets, 13 Madison St., $240,000.

Rene J. Soucy to Denise A. Dulude, 19 Sher-

Like cardoon, fig roots could survive winters here, perhaps helped along with a little mulch. But unprotected, the stems would die to the ground. New shoots would sprout from ground level but fruits would not have time to ripen. With my new method, the plants are grown directly in the ground, outdoors. No need to bend the plant down to or below ground level and cover it with soil, then disinter it the following late winter or early spring. Pruning and training are a slight variation of the espalier pruning I describe in my book for growing figs in a greenhouse or a hoop house. What I did with one fig plant, a young one, was to plant it in the bottom of a shallow trench at a forty-five degree angle, then train one sturdy stem, with the help of a bamboo rod, horizontally at about ground level in the trench. The other plant was older so I instead cut the main stem to a low horizontal stem, training that stem parallel to and a few inches

wood Ave., $350,000.

U S Bank Trust, trustee, and Master Participation Trust LSF9, trustee of, to Robert M. Levesque, 67 Woodside Terrace, $250,000. Westhampton

Pablo De Leon to Liza Beth Weldon, Northwest Road and South Street, $165,000.

WILBRAHAM

AC Homebuilding LLC, to David T. Martins and Deborah A. Martins, Sandalwood Drive, Unit 111, $554,356.

Frank Kulig to Neil Horner, 22 Brainard Road, $365,000.

Michael Tetreault Jr., and Melissa A. Tetreault to Arlana Kaye Cordeiro, 1 Conifer Drive, $445,000.

Paul Henry, Beth Henry and Beth Seretta to Robert F. Engel and Kristy Leigh Smith, 225 Maynard Road, $490,000.

Todd Dennis Heald and Ann-Marie Heald to Jonathan D. Lightner, trustee, Christine L. Lightner, Trustee, and Jonathan D & Christine L. Lightner Revocable Trust, trustee of, 12 Brooklawn Road, $512,000.

WILLIAMSBURG

off the ground. In either case, I removed all other stems.

The stem of the plant growing just above ground level, and especially the stem of the plant growing at or slightly below ground level, will pick up some heat from the ground below. To capture and retain some of the ground heat through winter, I covered the plants with some plastic and then piled on leaves and straw.

Fast forward to today, two days before spring: I couldn’t help but try to peak beneath the covers.

If all goes as planned, spring warmth will coax buds to awaken.

I’ll remove any but wellspaced shoots that grow vertically from the horizontal stems, shoots which will yield ripe figs beginning near their origin and ripening progressively with the growing shoot. Starting growth on a portion of older stem, the buried horizontal stem, yields new shoots that will bear fruit. That fruit will ripen.

Brian S. Kaplan, Brian Kaplan, Beth M. Kaplan and Beth Kaplan to Brian S. Kaplan, trustee, Beth M. Kaplan, trustee, and Kaplan Family Trust, 5862 Chesterfield Road, $100.

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