The Root of the Problem:
Keeping Trees Alive
The August loss of a beloved old tree—a giant
red oak, Quercus rubra, near Tyler Annex on College Lane—prompted Michael Marcotrigiano,
director of the botanic garden and professor of biological sciences, to offer his
thoughts on keeping campus trees healthy:
“A campus is a challenging environment
for trees. Most landscape trees are native to wooded areas where roots live in soil
that is evenly moist, loose and airy. Root systems on trees can expand far beyond
the tree canopy. Helping trees live a long life means taking care of their roots.
In cities and on campuses, root damage commonly results from soil compaction. This
commonly happens when vehicles or construction material are parked over roots. Excessive
human foot traffic also causes compacted soil. If roots die they cannot provide adequate
water and nutrients to the tree, and the limbs die. With water, mulch, proper pruning,
and the avoidance of compaction and unnecessary excavation, we can help tree roots
thrive. Educate your colleagues on the risks of stressing trees. Protecting a tree’s
root zone will help our campus trees live for centuries.”
Visit www.smith.edu/garden/Home/oak.html for more from Michael Marcotrigiano on the
red oak.
Because the Smith College campus was planned
and planted in the 1890s as a botanic garden and arboretum, it should come as no
surprise that today the campus landscape encompasses 125 acres and includes more
than 1,200 varieties of trees and shrubs. Some of the trees are over 100 years old
and unique to this area, yet still able to survive New England winters. A walk across
campus offers evidence as to how trees enrich the open spaces among academic buildings,
the walkways across campus and vistas around paradise pond while serving as learning
resources to students.
With thanks to the staff at the botanic garden, here
are 10 champions of Smith’s
tree population.
One of the oldest on campus
Maidenhair Tree, Ginkgo biloba, near Sabin-Reed Hall
One of the most unusual
Dove Tree or Handkerchief Tree, Davidia involucrate, near College Hall
One of the
largest of its kind in New England
Shagbark Hickory, Carya ovata, behind Tyler Annex
Most fun to hide in
Weeping Beech, Fagus sylvatica ‘Pendula’, beside Hopkins House
Most valued
wood
Black Walnut, Juglans nigra, between Lawrence and Morris houses
Most beautiful fall
color
Sour Gum or Black Tupelo, Nyssa sylvatica, between Alumnae Gym and Washburn House
Now
extinct in the wild
Benjamin Franklin Tree, Franklinia alatamaha, near Lanning Fountain
Said to be the
most disease-resistant American elm
Valley Forge American Elm, Ulmus americana, recently planted on College Lane not
far from the main gate
Said to be the embodiment of all history
Cedar of Lebanon, Cedrus libani, in front of Wright Hall
Most recently mourned
92-foot-tall Northern Red Oak tree, Quercus rubra, which had to be cut down in August
after extensive studies determined it to be a safety hazard
For a nifty brochure that
offers an easy, self-guided walking tour of campus trees, stop by the Lyman Plant
House or visit the Smith Botanic Garden at www.smith.edu/garden.
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