Lots of theater this summer in the arboretum, but let's not forget those beautiful trees! In fact, there's a tour coming up in mid-July, in the redwood grove, which isn't a bad place to be in the summer heat.

First, the plays:

• As You Like It — The Davis Shakespeare Ensemble presents one of the Bard's most celebrated comedies, in a production that ventures not into the forest of Arden but into the hills of Appalachia (as played by the arboretum!).  Concludes Thursday-Sunday (June 27-30), gazebo. Tickets: online; by email; or by telephone, (530) 802-0998.

• The Importance of Being Earnest (Oscar Wilde) and Love's Labour's Lost (William Shakespeare) — Two comedies, both about the battle of the sexes, comprise Common House Productions' Summer Theatre Festival. Opening nights Friday and Saturday, July 5 and 6, and continuing on various nights through July 21, Wyatt Deck.

See separate story for more information, including the complete schedule.

MORE IN THE ARBORETUM

• Redwoods in the Valley — Cool, even on the hottest summer days, the T. Elliot Weier Redwood Grove is a welcome respite in July, and, on one July day in particular, you're invited to take a tour to learn all about the redwoods, and the pros and cons of growing this kind of tree in the Central Valley. 9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 13, meet on the Wyatt Deck.

• Folk Music Jam Session — Pull out your fiddles, guitars, mandolins, penny whistles, pipes, flutes, squeezeboxes you name it! and join your fellow musicians during the lunch hour for a little bluegrass, old-time, blues, Celtic, klezmer and other world music. All skill levels welcome. Listeners, too! Noon-1 p.m. Friday, July 19, Wyatt Deck.

All programs are open to the public, and all are free except As You Like It, The Importance of Being Earnest and Love's Labour's Lost. More information: (530) 752-4880 or arboretum.ucdavis.edu (for directions, click on Plan Your Visit). Keep up with arboretum news by reading The Leaflet e-newsletter. To start receiving it, send an email to arboretum@ucdavis.edu, with newsletter in the subject line.

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