Celebrate Arbor Day with our seedling giveaway
Celebrate Arbor Day with Campus Ops!
Departmental staff, led by groundskeeper Sara Biltz, will be giving away tree seedlings to celebrate the annual day when people are encouraged to plant trees.
Seedlings will be distributed on a first-come-first-served basis from 8-10 a.m. Friday, April 28 in the NEW Center Atrium. The event is open to the public.
Among the 180 specimens being shared are seedlings for Eastern White Pine, Black Gum, Chinkapin Oak, Sugar Maple, Redosier Dogwood and Sweetbay Magnolia. (descriptions below)
WHICH TREE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Evergreen Trees
Eastern White Pine – Pinus strobus -- This is one of the fastest growing evergreens. Adaptable to many conditions, it has long, soft needles and grows 75’-100’. Good tree for specimens, naturalizing, windbreak or dense screen. White pines are not picky about lighting conditions - growing in full sun to full shade conditions. White pines are well suited to poor soils and drier sites, but grow best on sandy or loamy, well drained, acidic soils.
Shade Trees
Black Gum – Nyssa sylvatica -- A native tree of great ornamental and wildlife value that grows to 40’ tall with a 30-foot spread This handsome pyramidal tree has lustrous dark green leaves that turn a brilliant red in fall. Female trees produce a small blue fruit that birds relish. Grows on dry upland sites as well as wet sites, in full sun or part-shade.
Sugar Maple – Acer saccharum -- The sugar maple sap is the source of the popular maple syrup produced in Ohio. Sugar Maple thrives when it is planted or transplanted into rich, moderately deep soils having even moisture coupled with good drainage. Growing up to 70’ tall, its leaves have brilliant tones of yellow, orange and red in the fall.
Chinkapin Oak -- Quercus muehlenbergii – This large native tree grows 60’ tall by 80’ wide. It prefers moist, well-drained, rich, alkaline soils, but is often found growing near the top of hills in dry soils. Its leaves resemble smaller versions of the foliage of Swamp White Oak. A great choice for attracting wildlife.
Ornamental Trees
Sweetbay Magnolia – Magnolia virginiana -- Sweetbay magnolia typically blooms a little later in the spring, which allows us northern dwellers a greater chance of actually seeing a magnolia bloom in our landscape. Sweetbay has a white, fragrant bloom that is smaller than most magnolia blooms. But this magnolia can take the cold, the heat and the wet, heavy and poor-quality soils many of us have to offer! The open growth habit of Sweetbay magnolia also lends interesting form to your landscape. In northern Ohio landscapes, this tree typically grows to about 25’. You’ll love the large, clustered, orange fruits and so will the birds – this featured tree has four-season interest!
Shrubs
Redosier Dogwood – Cornus sericea - An open form, multi-stemmed shrub reaching heights of 7’-10’. Bright red stems offer winter interest in any landscape. A great plant for field windbreaks, riparian plantings & urban settings. Fruit and twigs are used by wildlife. Very tolerant of pruning to maintain size and promote new growth, which offers the best red color. Very adaptable to a variety of soil and light conditions.