Abstract Detail

Teaching Section

Yost, Susan E. [1].

Establishing a campus Arboretum: benefits and challenges.

An Arboretum is being established at Delaware State University as a component of the educational programs of the Claude E. Phillips Herbarium (DOV). In 2006, a Campus Tree Walk was initiated, comprising 87 species of established mature campus trees which were labeled, and mapped on a brochure. These trees are used in teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, and in the Herbarium's outreach programs. Mortality of these labeled mature trees was 16% (14 trees), over the five year period from 2006 to 2011. Since other individuals of some of these species existed elsewhere on campus, total loss of species was 7%. The greatest cause of mortality was building construction (57%, 8 trees), followed by storm damage (21%, 3 trees), too large/too close to adjacent building (14%, 2 trees), and unknown causes (7%, 1 tree). Mortality of mature campus trees could be reduced by incorporating tree plantings into the campus master plan, and selecting appropriate species for mature tree size to plant near buildings. In 2010, an additional 57 young trees were planted to further increase tree diversity on campus. Mortality of the young trees planted last year was 5% (3 trees): 1 because of heat/drought, 1 broken, and 1 dying on arrival. These newly-planted trees were selected for their educational and ecological value; 61% were native to Delaware, and 39% non-native. Natives include American chestnut (Castanea dentata), hazelnut (Corylus americanus), American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), butternut (Juglans cinerea), American crabapple (Malus coronaria), red mulberry (Morus rubra), American plum (Prunus americana), beach plum (Prunus maritima), chestnut oak (Quercus prinus), American linden (Tilia americana), American elm (Ulmus americana), and slippery elm (Ulmus rubra). Non-natives planted include horse-chestnut (Aesculus carnea), monkey-puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana), dove-tree (Davidia involucrata), and franklinia (Franklinia alatamaha). The University's curricula and community outreach are enriched by developing the campus trees into an Arboretum, with tree labels, brochure, map, and the planting of new tree species.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Delaware State University, Claude E. Phillips Herbarium, Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources, 1200 North Dupont Highway, Dover, DE, 19901, USA

Keywords:
botany education
campus Arboretum
botany outreach.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Khorassan Ballroom/Chase Park Plaza
Date: Monday, July 11th, 2011
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PTE003
Abstract ID:189