With the vernal equinox just around the corner, the spring months will bring warmer weather and a chance to enjoy a new designation for The University of Memphis. The Tennessee Federation of Garden Clubs and the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council deemed The U of M a certified arboretum late last year.
The U of M is one of four newly certified arboretums in Memphis. The others include the Sea Isle Park Arboretum, Victorian Village-Memphis City Beautiful Arboretum and Zadie E. Kuehl Memorial Park Arboretum.
"We have quite an array of native and non-native trees on campus," said Scott Franklin, associate professor of biology.
Some of the requirements to achieve arboretum status include that the area must be open to the public, have at least 30 species of trees identified and tagged and maintain acceptable maintenance practices.
The University has more than 30 species of trees according to Joellen Dimond, horticulturist for The U of M, but most are hybrids and do not count, according to arboretum regulations.
The U of M is at arboretum level one, which requires at least 30 species of trees. The highest level is four, which requires 120 species.
"We have lots but you only need 30 ... we are working on getting the 60 type status," said Dimond.
Campus Landscape services usually plant in the late fall and winter, which are considered the best times of the year to do so, according to Dimond.
"We try to plant at the best times of the year, they live and thrive better that way," said Dimond.
Students are also taking pride in the new title.
"Whenever I feel studious I can take pride in knowing I can sit outside and study in an arboretum," said communications major Dustin Warren.
The trees that are part of the arboretum have black tags six feet up on the trunk for those looking to identify the wide variety on campus.
Those interested in finding all 30 can soon find a map online at the physical plant Web site. A date for the dedication ceremony has not been set.
