You’ve surely trudged through their fallen leaves over the last few weeks.
Apple Tree (Malus domestica) One of the more famous trees in campus, this self-seeded wild tree is located on University College Hill and pre-dates campus.
But do you really know anything about the thousands of trees on campus? Did you even know The University of Western Ontario has been designated as an arboretum?
“I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t appreciate all the trees on campus,” says Jane Bowles, Sherwood Fox Arboretum director. “They are a great resource.”
Established in 1981, the arboretum encompasses all the planted trees on campus and, as an extensive, labeled collection, it represents a section of the Earth’s biodiversity – in Western’s case temperate region woody plants.
With a current database of approximately 2,400 trees – and 350 various species – the arboretum presents a much larger range of trees than can be found in parks or nurseries.
Bowles says no records exist as to the oldest trees on campus. However, with many trees pre-dating the university, some of the older trees may date from the time of European settlement (late 1790s or early 1800s) or even pre-date European settlement. “Some of the trees in the small woodland behind the (Richard Ivey School of Business) show ‘old growth’ characteristics and may be around 200 years old,” Bowles says.
From a maintenance standpoint, Jim Galbraith, Supervisor (Grounds and Recycling), says Physical Plant staff will check the trees and keep them as healthy as possible. He notes 50 to 60 new trees will be planted each year, with approximately 15 or so being donor trees.
As far as his favourite, it’s hard to say. “If you asked me today and then tomorrow I’d give you two different trees; they’re all nice,” says Galbraith, adding as planting continues the goal is to increase the number of native species on campus.
But Bowles does play favourites when it comes to her top tree on campus. “I love that big Bur Oak outside Staging (building),” she says. “It was right outside my window when I was a grad student, so I got to know it very well. It’s a very magnificent tree.”
List of trees
Cucumber Tree (Magnolia acuminata). Located behind Ivey Spencer Leadership Centre (Windermere Road), this tree is one of the largest magnolias and one of the hardiest in cold weather. It is a tree that tends to occur singly as scattered specimens, rather than in groves.
Mimosa Tree (Albizia julibrissin). Taken inside the courtyard at Sydenham Hall, this tree is from a cutting taken from a tree that grew in the courtyard of the Physics and Astronomy Building, until they started the construction. This tree doesn’t normally grow this for north, but thrived in the sheltered courtyard.
Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera). Taken behind Elgin Hall, the tulip tree can grow to more than 50 m (165 feet), often with no limbs until it reaches 25-30 m (80–100 feet) in height. The flowers are pale green or yellow with an orange band on the tepals.
#5 Black Gum tree (Nyssa sylvatica). Located behind Elgin Hall, the black gum is a medium-sized deciduous tree which grows around 20-25 m (65-80 ft) and a trunk diameter of 50-100 cm (20-40 inches).
Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus). Located behind Elgin Hall, the Kentucky Coffeetree is listed as ‘threatened’ in Canada under the Species at Risk Act and threatened in Ontario under the Endangered Species Act. Has the biggest leaf of any tree in Ontario.
Blue Ash (Fraxinus quadrangulata). Located on the curve of Middlesex Drive (just west of the traffic lights), this native Carolinian tree is listed as ‘special concern’ under the Species at Risk Act. It is recognized by its square twigs.
Fern-leaf European Beech (Fagus sylvatica). Located behind the Don Rix Clinical Skills Building, this deciduous tree belongs to the beech family Fagaceae and tends to have a long, slender light-gray trunk with a narrow crown and erect branches.
Borneyensis European Beech (Fagus sylvatica cv Borneyensis). Located in front of Middlesex College, it is a cultivated variety of the European Beech.
Pawpaw (Asimina triloba). Located to the south of Middlesex College, this Carolinian tree is listed as rare in Ontario. It is a genus of small clustered trees with large leaves and fruit found in well-drained deep fertile bottomland and hilly upland habitat.
Apple Tree (Malus domestica). One of the more famous trees in campus, this self-seeded wild tree is located on University College Hill and pre-dates campus.
Purple European Beech (Fagus sylvatica). Located in front of University College, this species is another cultivar of European Beech. It’s round, broad, symmetrical canopy with branches naturally sweep the ground and is recognizable by its unique trunk base.
Ginkgo Tree (Ginkgo biloba). Located on the northeast corner of University College, the tree has an angular crown and long, somewhat erratic branches, and is usually deep rooted and resistant to wind and snow damage. During autumn, the leaves turn a bright yellow, then fall, sometimes within a short space of time (1-15 days).
Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum). Located along the walkway between University and Middlesex colleges, this tree is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree reaching 6-9 m (20-30 ft) tall. The bark is smooth, shiny orange-red and peels in thin, papery layers.