These two trees standing side by side at Chateau-sur-Mer are Sweet Gums, named after their seed capsules that look like spiky "gum balls." In the fall, the Sweet Gum's star-shaped leaves blaze with a vivid orange and red. The Wetmores collected trees from all over the world, but these two are native to the United States. What makes them unusual in this landscape is that they shouldn't be able to grow this far north. Newport has its own unique microclimate that tricks the Sweet Gums into thinking they're back home in their native south. According to our Landscape Curator, Jim Donahue, "The southern tip of Aquidneck Island really juts out into the ocean and it's pretty close to the Gulf Stream... It means that our lows aren't as low and our highs aren't as high, in terms of temperature." You can learn lots about Chateau's landscape by downloading the app and taking the tour at your leisure. #preservationsocietyofnewportcounty #newportri #newport_mansions