Photos by Becky Phillips, WSU Today
Horticulture students and other members of the university community welcomed a tall burr oak sapling to the WSU Arboretum near the Lewis Alumni Center Wednesday afternoon under cloudy – but dry – skies.
The tree-planting celebration – sponsored by the Horticulture Club – takes place each spring as a way to honor graduating seniors. Nearly every year, since 1985, the club has purchased and donated a tree to the Pullman campus.
Each year’s tree is of a variety specifically chosen by the WSU Arboretum Committee.
“We look for unusual species … and something that
will do well (in this climate),” said Bobbie Ryder, senior campus planner for Capital Planning and Development and member of the Arboretum Committee.
will do well (in this climate),” said Bobbie Ryder, senior campus planner for Capital Planning and Development and member of the Arboretum Committee.Trees species can originate from all over the world, but must be hardy enough to thrive under zone 6 growing conditions – i.e. winter on the Palouse.
James Holden, Horticulture Club adviser, said the tree planting is a way to celebrate all of the group’s activities – and the tree itself is something students will want to come back and visit in the years after commencement.
To help locate the trees, they are all planted on a grid and can be identified by global positioning system (GPS).
When schedules allow, it also has been tradition for the university president to take part in the planting ceremony. Although President Elson S. Floyd planned to attend Wednesday’s event, he was unable to participate due to last minute conflicts with budget meetings.
(Photo – James Holden and burr oak sapling)
