Semesters of the Trees | Sustainability | Michigan State University

Semester of the Trees

Mon, January 18, 2021 12:00 PM - Fri, April 30, 2021 11:00 PM at Semester planned events

Since the founding of MSU in 1855, Spartans have nurtured and cultivated the campus arboretum. This stewardship was emphasized by Professor William J. Beal who increased the diversity of the campus trees to support teaching, research, and outreach demonstrations encouraging the citizens of Michigan to plant more trees. Today, with over 20,000 trees in MSU’s campus arboretum, this legacy of stewardship continues. Every Spartan tree has a story.

Those stories are not only a part of the MSU legacy, but also represent a culture that embraces the natural beauty of the campus and preserves it for future generations of Spartans and neighboring communities. To better preserve this legacy, raise awareness, and reduce the campus carbon footprint, MSU recently updated their comprehensive tree replacement policy, celebrating replanting over 300 trees in 2020.

To build a larger awareness and community around the preservation of the diverse campus arboretum, MSU Sustainability has declared the spring 2021 the “Semester of the Trees”, and works to promote a number of events and opportunities where community members, staff, students and alumni can engage and become a part of preserving our tree legacy. Check back for updates on activities.

Upcoming Events

Check back for updates on activities. Don't see your event but want it listed? Please contact us.

2021 Virtual Maple Education Event | Jan 21
Six presentations from experts in the fields of maple syrup and value added products, estate planning, specialty crop lending, and transitioning to organic certifications. Hosted by MSU Extension.

Hanover Forest Science Seminar Series | Feb 2, 3:30 pm
Georgios Arseniou: Using Terrestrial Laser Scanning and Digital Image Analysis to Quantify the Above-ground Surface Area of Urban Trees. Hosted by the MSU Department of Forestry.

Hanover Forest Science Seminar Series | Feb 9, 3:30 pm
Chris Fernandez: The Influence of Mycorrhizal Fungi on Soil Carbon Cycling in Forests. Hosted by the MSU Department of Forestry.

Winter Twig Identification Webinar Workshop | Feb 11, 6 pm
Learn to identify common Michigan trees using bark and twigs at the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary! Hosted by MSU Extension.

Hanover Forest Science Seminar Series | Feb 23, 3:30 pm
Jeff Dozer: Forest Bird Monitoring Using Acoustic Recordings and Hierarchical Models. Hosted by the MSU Department of Forestry.

Bio Diversity: Strengthening Native Plant Communities Webinar Series | March 7 & 8 , 3:30 pm
Michigan Native Plant Conference, which brings hundreds of attendees together to hear top keynote speakers, attend multiple breakout sessions, and network with other like-minded, friendly souls on relevant and timely topics in the native plant movement.

Hanover Forest Science Seminar Series | March 23, 3:30 pm
Kendall DeLyser: Impacts of Forest Management on Carbon Sequestration and Storage for Climate Change Mitigation. Hosted by the MSU Department of Forestry.

Hanover Forest Science Seminar Series | April 13, 3:30 pm
Bruce J. Ross: Getting the Apple Off the Tree: Career Pathways – Increasing Diversity In the Natural Resources. Hosted by the MSU Department of Forestry.

MSU Science Festival Begins | April 1
The MSU Science Festival returns in 2021 with hundreds of activities for the MSU community to engage with science in fun and creative ways.

Earth Day | April 22
Celebrate Earth Day throughout the month of April with a variety of programs and activities.

MSU Science Festival: MSU Teaches, Talks and Walks Trees: The Spartan Tree Campus Legacy | April 28, 6:00 pm
With over 20,000 trees in MSU’s arboretum, every tree has a story and is part of the MSU legacy. Learn about the important role trees play in sequestering carbon, combating climate change and creating a sustainable, resilient campus! Also, explore how campus trees are part of experiential learning, research and education.

Arbor Day | April 30
Celebrate Arbor Day with these great suggestions from the Arbor Day Foundation!

Virtual Spartan Arbor Day 5K | May 1
The Spartan Arbor Day 5K race highlights the importance of MSU campus green spaces and raises funds for planting trees across the vast 5,400+ acre Michigan State University campus in East Lansing, Michigan. Help our Landscape Services team reach their goal of 300+ tree plantings on campus each year! This year, participate in our inaugural virtual 5K from anywhere in the world. Participants will receive a Spartan Arbor Day 5K t-shirt, wooden participation medal repurposed from campus arboretum trees, and an official race bib.

News and Media

Resources

Campus Tree Management Plan
MSU Campus Plants Research Guide: History
A guide to literature and websites about the MAC/MSU campus plants through history
Virtual Sustainabilty Walk: The Spartan Tree Campus
Take a virtual tour of some of the unique and historical trees found on MSU's main campus.
Campus Tree Map
This map contains digital records of over 20,000 trees at MSU.
Beal Botanical Gardens
Originally designed by famous botanist William J Beal, who also began campus woody plant arboretum. Over 14,000 trees planted today used as living teaching tools in the oldest continuously operated botanical garden in the United States. The garden turned 146 years old in 2019.
College of Agriculture & Natural Resources: Department of Forestry
MSU Shadows
The MSU Shadows program repurposes wood from trees that are removed from campus into a variety of unique, household goods.
Heritage Tree Program
The MSU Heritage Tree Program offers trees grown from seeds of historic trees seen on the Michigan State University campus. The program identifies any tree that was established on campus prior to the founding of the Agriculture College of the State of Michigan in 1855.