The Smith College campus is a scenic landscape that has provided a garden setting for academic life for over a hundred years. The entire campus, originally planned and planted as a botanic garden and arboretum, TREESTREES was designed by the landscape architecture firm of Olmsted, Olmsted, and Eliot. Today, the Botanic Garden encompasses the 125 acre Campus Arboretum, the Lyman Plant House and Conservatory, and a variety of specialty gardens. The plant collections are documented and labeled to provide a resource for teaching, research, public education, and botanical displays.

We invite you to enjoy the trees on the Smith campus. The Botanic Garden was established during a period of active plant explorations and widespread introductions of hardy plants from Asia. Among the interesting trees on campus are numerous mature Asian specimens. While this walking tour represents only a sampling of our collection and does not include trees on the other side of Elm Street, you will make the acquaintance of many Spring blossoms of the mountain silverbell, Halesia monticola, (number 39 on tour) shower down onto beautiful and unusual trees. We hope that you the gardens beside the President’s House. will enjoy the tour, that your appreciation of trees will increase, and that you will be inspired to go home and plant a tree.

The Botanic Garden of Smith College Northampton, MA 01063 413-585-2740 www.smith.edu/garden The Margaret P. Holden ©1999

Botanic Garden Botanical illustrations by Alexandra Chitty (Smith class of 2001)

of Smith College © 2005 Botanic Garden of Smith College River birch, Betula nigra (number 25 on tour) Trees of the Botanic Garden of Smith College

Trees offer us much more than beauty. Forests provide oxygen and habitats for animals. Most trees reproduce from seed; and while some trees without showy flowers (e.g., pines, maples, and oaks) depend on wind to spread pollen, many tree species over the others have evolved showy flowers that attract vast array of tree history of our planet. bees, birds, and bats to assist in pollination. The species arose Remarkably, exciting diversity we see among trees is a result of A during the tree stories are still adaptations to the many different environments evolution of higher plants. unfolding. The latest that trees inhabit. The Smith College Botanic Deciduous hardwoods and is the discovery of a Garden cares about the diversity of tree species on broadleaf and needle new conifer, the Wollemi Earth. We are actively engaged in preserving evergreens now form a mosaic pine, in 1994, just 93 miles biodiversity for future generations. The Garden of green across the land. Some from Sydney, the largest city in Australia! Many not only plants trees to enhance the tree species exist in many parts of the globe, while more unknown tree species exist in the tropics and scenic beauty of the campus, but others remain isolated in remote regions. Botanists explorations continue to document the many species also uses trees as learning tools for have documented the rise and fall of thousands of of life on Earth. students and visitors, and we exchange seed with botanic gardens worldwide.

There is much to learn from the labels on our plants. In addition to common names, which can vary from place to place, the labels display univer- Scientific Name Cultivar Name sally accepted scientific names. Common Name The labels also give the plant Family family and infor- Nativity Accession Number mation on geo- G Last two digits indicate year graphic origin. In added to our collection most cases the (2002 for this dogwood) year that the specimen was placed in G PA indicates pre-1971 the Smith landscape is on the label. (when we began our current numbering system) Smith College Campus 1. Ginkgo biloba of pendulous branches. ‘Camperdownii’ originated member of the tea family is now extinct in the wild. from a seedling found growing at Camperdown All trees in cultivation are descendents of those Maidenhair Tree Ginkgoaceae (China) House near Dundee, Scotland, in the early 1800s. distributed by the Bartrams. The striking white Growing on earth The graft union is visible on the trunk where the flowers with golden stamens appear late in the for 150–200 million furrowed and cross-checked barks join. The rough, summer and in autumn the leaves turn orange, red, years, this gymno- sandpaper-like leaves turn yellow in fall. Olmsted’s and purple. Franklinia is only marginally hardy in sperm is the only original plant lists include this tree as well as the western Massachusetts. This specimen died back to remaining member Ginkgo, Sciadopitys, and Cercidiphyllum. the ground after the extremely cold winter of 1980 of an ancient plant but has since recovered. family. In autumn, its deciduous leaves 4. Cornus kousa turn a golden yellow Kousa Dogwood 6. Taxodium distichum var. nutans and cascade to the ground, sometimes all within one Cornaceae (also known as T. ascendens) Pond Cypress day. Asian cultures consider the ginkgo sacred and it (Japan, Korea, China) Taxodiaceae (SE United States) is said to have medicinal properties of improving This kousa dogwood is a brain function. It is an excellent urban tree as it is This deciduous conifer with its buttressed trunk is true four-season tree and tolerant of difficult conditions (avoid females which rare in this region. Tolerant of wet swampy areas, it is more disease resistant produce messy, malodorous seed). This magnificent grows naturally in the southern United States and than the native C. florida. It also male is over one hundred years old. ranges north to Delaware. It often extends aerating blooms later than our native flowering projections called “knees” up from the water. In fall, dogwood, with an outstanding display of flowers the threadlike leaves turn a rusty orange before 2. Sciadopitys verticillata shrouding the tree in June after it dropping. Our records indicate that this tree had a Japanese Umbrella Pine has leafed out. The showy white trunk diameter of 11" in 1931. Sciadopityaceae (Japan) bracts that surround the small The unique needles of Sciadopitys radiate around the yellow flowers are pointed at the stems like the spokes of an umbrella. Pollen of this tips. In late August through October 7. Cercidiphyllum japonicum species was found in North American fossils from pendulous red fruits resembling Katsura Tree the upper Triassic period. Scientists hypothesize that raspberries hang from the tree. The Cercidiphyllaceae New England was part of its prehistoric range before fall color combines a brilliant palate (Japan & China) being reintroduced from Asia in 1861 by the of reds, oranges, and yellows. Notice The katsura is Massachusetts Agricultural College. It is the only the beautiful mottled bark. dioecious (separate species in its family and, despite its common name, female and male is not a true pine. In 1914, this specimen had a plants). While the trunk diameter of 3" and is now one of the largest 5. Franklinia leaves emerge in spring with a in Massachusetts. alatamaha reddish purple color, in autumn Benjamin Franklin Tree they turn a bright apricot yellow Theaceae (Georgia) and give off an aroma reminiscent of burnt sugar. 3. Ulmus glabra ‘Camperdownii’ First encountered growing As the tree ages its bark becomes shaggy. Paper-thin (also known as U. x vegeta ‘Camperdownii’) along the Altamaha River in winged seeds are folded within the tiny pealike Camperdown Elm Ulmaceae (Garden Origin) Georgia in 1765 by pods that appear in clusters along the branches of Creeping in habit, this cultivar is grafted onto the American botanists John and this female. Her male counterpart is across the understock of an upright elm for a dramatic display William Bartram, this campus, next to Clark Hall. 8. Metasequoia glyptostroboides 11. Juglans regia 14. Carya ovata Dawn Redwood Taxodiaceae (W China) English or Persian Walnut Shagbark Hickory Delicate fernlike leaves complement the noble size Juglandaceae (E Europe) Juglandaceae and structure of this majestic tree. Fossils of While native to southeastern Europe, this species (E North America) Metasequoia were found in rocks of the Eocene is often found growing in the wild east to China. In fall, the rich sulfur epoch (54–35 million years ago). It was thought to The nuts, which grow to 2" in diameter, have yellow leaves contrast be extinct until 1941 when Chinese botanists been harvested since the earliest times, and the beautifully with the deep brown discovered a small grove in China’s Szechwan trees have long been cultivated commercially. branches. The tree produces nuts that province. This tree was planted in 1948 from seeds Today California is one of the largest English are sweet and much sought after by collected from those trees in China, and was walnut producers. As a folk remedy, the leaves and humans and squirrels alike. The recognized by the National Arborist Association as fruit were used to treat a wide variety of ailments distinctive shaggy bark peels in long vertical strips that one of the largest in New England. An extremely including anthrax, asthma, dysentery, eczema, and are free at both ends. This species can reach heights of fast grower, it has reached this size despite being syphilis. Its high quality wood is used for up to 90 feet. This specimen is over 100 years old and relocated to its current site in 1964. furniture. This particular tree was planted here in is among the largest of its kind in New England. 1939 when it was only six feet tall. 9. Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis 15. Quercus rubra Honey Locust Fabaceae (North America) 12. Stewartia koreana Northern Red Oak The reddish-brown seedpods rattle on the branches Korean Stewartia Theaceae (E Asia) Fagaceae (E North America) of this particular specimen through the winter, One of the great attributes of this tree is the Although this tree was not on the although there are cultivars available that do not intermingled mosaic of colors of the exfoliating original 27 acres belonging to Smith produce pods. The pods and the pinnately bark. Rich lavender and jade hues curl away to College, it is noted as being one of the compound leaves are clues that the honey locust is reveal the golden undersides. In July, this hardy oldest and largest trees on the campus a member of the legume family. The species can camellia relative produces 2–3" white flowers. The today. The wood of this important lumber tree has a easily reach heights of 60 feet, and the leaves stunning bark and exotic flowers make it an reddish color and the leaves turn red in the fall. provide a fine texture with light dappled shade. The excellent choice for the home landscape. The Unfortunately, in 2006 this tree was removed as it had variety inermis does not have the vicious thorns Botanic Garden grew this specimen from seed become structurally unsound and it was a hazard. typical of the species. acquired from the Arnold Arboretum in 1952. 16. Liriodendron tulipifera 10. Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Cumulus’ 13. Sophora japonica Tulip Tree or Tulip Poplar Apple Serviceberry Rosaceae (hybrid of Chinese Scholar Tree or Pagoda Tree Magnoliaceae (E North America) A. arborea and A. laevis, both of E North America) Fabaceae (Korea and China) Neither a tulip nor a poplar, this An early spring bloomer, Amelanchier is also called A handsome late summer bloomer, Sophora creates magnolia relative bears broadly shadbush or shadblow since it flowers when the a milky carpet of fragrant bell-shaped flowers on lobed waxy leaves of a shad-fish spawn. This hybrid produces masses of the ground below when shedding its blooms. A distinctive shape. Its extremely small white flowers that are larger and showier than member of the legume family, it produces green straight trunk was used for either parent species. Juneberry is another name that pods resembling irregular strings of beads. This canoes and is now a common is used because the flowers are followed by maroon- species is highly tolerant of urban pollution. timber wood. Mature trees purple, edible berries, which are quickly eaten by produce tulip-shaped flowers high in the upper birds. In the fall the foliage turns an orange or branches. Winged seed, to be dispersed by the wind, reddish shade. Serviceberry is generally a good form in conelike structures that perch on the bare choice for a small tree in the landscape. winter branches. 17. Aesculus hippocastanum 20. Populus deltoides ‘Discovery,’ U. parvifolia ‘Dynasty,’ Ulmus ‘Homestead,’ U. wilsoniana ‘Prospector,’ and Common Horsechestnut Cottonwood Salicaceae (E North America) Ulmus ‘Morton,’ known in the trade as Accolade®. Hippocastanaceae (N Greece & Albania) Often regarded as a weedy tree, cottonwood is very This stately tree is commonly found in cities and messy in the landscape, dropping lots of leaves, gardens throughout Europe. The deep brown flowers, twigs, and branches. The wood is weak and 23. Thuja plicata polished fruits are encased in a spiky sheath. very susceptible to storm damage. The name Western Red Cedar or Giant Arborvitae Though the nuts are toxic cottonwood derives from the silky or cottony hairs Cupressaceae (NW America) surrounding the seeds, which are released in great to humans, squirrels are This stately tree has aromatic overlapping leaves profusion in late spring. In fact, this specimen often seen collecting resembling the scales of a serpent. The evergreen seeded itself here. The species loves moist areas, them. The leaves leaves are a rich glossy green above with faint white especially along rivers, and in the home landscape emerge from very markings beneath. Clusters of small cones form along the roots often find their way into sewer systems. large sticky buds and the branches. Native Americans made canoes from are palmately the hollowed out trunks and wove the fibrous inner compound. In late bark into mats, baskets, and hats. The tough roots spring showy 21. Acer saccharum ‘Newton Sentry’ Newton Sentry Sugar Maple were even used as fishhooks. Today, its durable timber pyramidal clusters of is the principal wood used to manufacture shingles. ivory flowers appear, Aceraceae (E and Central US) resembling Chinese temples. Its extreme columnar form makes this cultivar the narrowest sugar maple. While this growth habit is 24. Juglans nigra rare in the wild, it can be particularly useful in the 18. Oxydendrum arboreum Black Walnut landscape. This tree was discovered near the entrance Juglandaceae (E and Central United States) Sourwood Ericaceae (E United States) to Newton Cemetery in Newton, Massachusetts, Clusters of pendulous white The finely grained wood was used for plane propagated, and introduced into the nursery trade in propellers and is still flowers are produced in 1885. It has yellow-orange fall color. The columnar midsummer by this rhododendron prized for high quality sugar maple just to the right that is not as slender is furniture. Black walnut relative. It is one of the earliest the cultivar ‘Temple’s Upright.’ trees to reveal its striking fall timber was once so colors, starting mid to late valued that nighttime summer. Long, dry seed capsules 22. Ulmus spp. operations of “Walnut Rustlers” stole whole contrast with the arching canopy Elm Hybrids Ulmaceae (Horticultural Origin) trees using helicopters. of blazing red leaves in early fall Dutch elm disease has killed millions of American The inner surface of and are a good identification elms, Ulmus americana. Although “disease resistant” the pulpy green nut feature in the winter. elms are on the market, it is still risky to plant too husk contains a many as they might eventually succumb to the powerful black dye. disease. Along Green Street we have planted hybrids Acer japonicum The nuts are oily and 19. that do not have any American elm “blood.” While Full Moon Maple sweet but hard to they will not mature to look like American elms, Aceraceae (Japan) crack. Nearly all parts of this tree exude a chemical they are somewhat similar, are less prone to disease, called juglone, which stunts or prevents the growth Reaching heights of only 10–15 feet, this and grow just as fast. They include Ulmus parvifolia of other nearby plants. small elegant tree flaunts a firey explosion ‘Emer II,’ known in the trade as Allee®, U. japonica of color in the fall. Its handsome leaves are deeply incised with seven to eleven palmate lobes. 25. Betula nigra tropical effect. It blooms in 31. Fagus sylvatica ‘Atropunicea’ late July with small River Birch Copper European Beech (pictured on cover) individual flowers borne in Betulaceae (E and Central United States) Fagaceae (Central Europe) great quantity. The fruit This graceful tree grows naturally along rivers, clusters persist into winter, Smooth beech bark was used as a substrate for reducing soil erosion with its tightly woven roots. attracting birds. Yellow recording the written word since the first fledgling Historically, the wood of this Massachusetts native was prickles form on the young forms of writing were developed. The Anglo-Saxon used for ox yokes, wooden shoes, and rice cask hoops. stems of the deeply ridged bark. word beece (beech tree) gave rise to boc, which meant Sap can be fermented to make birch beer or vinegar. character or letter, from which came our modern River birch flowers in the spring, with male and female English word book. Interestingly, an astonishing catkins on the same tree. It is the only birch that 29. Davidia involucrata var. vilmoriniana number of cultivars have arisen from the European disperses its seed in the spring. This huge specimen Dove Tree or Handkerchief Tree beech, while no named cultivars have come from the had a 10" trunk diameter in 1914. Nyssaceae (Central China) American beech, Fagus grandifolia.

26. Nyssa sylvatica 32. Cedrus libani Sour Gum Tree, Black Gum, or Black Tupelo Cedar of Lebanon Nyssaceae (E and Central United States) Pinaceae (Lebanon, NW Syria, Central Turkey) In classical mythology, Nyssa was the name Hailing from the mountains of Asia Minor, this species given to a water nymph. This Growing outside of its usual hardiness range, this was first introduced to America during colonial times. native tree flourishes in swampy elegant tree is one of the more unusual specimens on This tree was planted at Smith in 1955 when it was woods and displays sprightly campus. It was moved to its current location in April 15" tall and was moved here in 1981. After especially fall colors of scarlet 2000 during the Fine Arts Center renovation. cold winters it sometimes shows signs of winter red, burgundy, Davidia is often described as the most handsome of damage to the needles. Male cones on the lower yellow, and purple, flowering trees. In May, graceful white flowers appear, branches release clouds of powdery yellow pollen in the pleasantly with two long pendulous bracts of unequal size. In fall, while female cones form on the upper branches. contrasting with the wind, these dangling bracts wave among the Cited in religion and mythology, it is said to be the small blue fruits. leaves like white handkerchiefs or twittering doves. embodiment of history, and to cut one down signifies the end of history itself. 27. Maackia amurensis 30. Platanus x acerifolia Amur Maackia Fabaceae (Manchuria) London Planetree 33. Ulmus americana American Elm Ulmaceae (E North America) Named for a Russian naturalist, Richard Maack Platanaceae (Amerasian hybrid) (1825–1886), this tree bears pinnately compound The regal fountain-like structure of the American elm, This hybrid is a cross between the American leaves and tightly packed, small pealike white flowers the state tree of Massachusetts, is what made it so P. occidentalis and the European P. orientalis. It in midsummer. The smooth bark is an olive-bronze beloved. North American landscapes changed forever was first found growing in London during the stippled with yellow diamond-shaped patterns. with the arrival of Dutch elm disease. Caused by a Renaissance. In winter, the white snow accentuates fungus spread by bark beetles, the disease was first the remarkable olive-green, sienna, and ivory colors detected in America in 1920. The beetles arrived as of its exfoliating bark. Globular clusters of bristly 28. Kalopanax septemlobus stowaways on elm logs that were shipped to the United fruits send particles of fluff into the spring air. It is Tree Aralia States for wood veneer. By 1987, the nation had lost commonly used as a street tree because of its Araliaceae (Asia) 40 million elms. The few remaining on the Smith tolerance of low soil oxygen. This specimen is a This tree’s large, glossy, palmately lobed leaves create a Campus are maintained by regular fungicide injections. New England Champion. 34. Acer griseum 38. Quercus robur ‘Fastigiata’ and liked it. When he returned to the college, he asked Upright English Oak the head horticulturist, Bill Campbell, if the campus Paperbark Maple Aceraceae (Central China) could acquire one. Mr. Campbell then pointed to this Fagaceae (Europe, N Africa, W Asia) specimen, already growing in the president’s front yard. This upright form of English oak was first discovered in a forest in Germany in 1783 and Thin glossy peeling bark distinguishes this small tree brought into cultivation. It breeds true from seed from other maples. The trifoliate leaves are bluish- about 80–90 percent of the time, with some green and change to scarlet in the fall. Delicate winged seedling variation. It is a good choice for urban areas Other trees of interest: seeds hold fast to the stems and helicopter into the as the species is very tolerant of air pollution, snow throughout winter. This tree is a wonderful compacted soil and poor drainage, as well as A. Acer palmatum ‘Ornatum’ – choice for the small garden. drought. The plant may reach upwards of 50' tall Red threadleaf Japanese maple with a spread of only 10' to 15'. Powdery mildew is B. Magnolia virginiana – Sweetbay magnolia sometimes a problem. 35. Fagus sylvatica ‘Pendula’ C. Corylus colurna – Turkish filbert Weeping Beech Fagaceae (Central Europe) D. Acer miyabei – Miyabe maple Planted in 1932, this tree has grown into something 39. Halesia monticola E. Acer diabolicum – Devil maple out of a Grimm’s fairy tale. The long weeping branches Mountain Silverbell F. Carpinus betulus – European hornbeam arch to the ground and take root, forming a tentlike Styracaceae (Appalachian Mountains) G. Syringa reticulata – Tree lilac chamber. In any season, it is a magical feeling to walk This dignified tree shrouds H. Aesculus x carnea – Red horsechestnut below the skeletal architecture of this biologically itself in early May with short-lived white bell-shaped I. Aesculus glabra – Ohio buckeye created dome. flowers. The four-winged seedpods that follow are distinctive in design and change from green to a J. Picea abies – Norway spruce light brown as they K. Acer mandshuricum – Manchurian maple 36. Zelkova serrata dry. The long floppy L. Quercus macrocarpa – Bur oak Japanese Zelkova Ulmaceae (Japan) leaves fade to a M. Paulownia tomentosa – Princess tree Though this fast growing tree does not have the yellow in fall and the N. Phellodendron amurense – Amur corktree graceful form of its relative, the American elm, it is smoky brown bark is resistant to Dutch elm disease. Leaves are elegantly often said to look like O. Acer campestre – Hedge maple serrated and the bark peels back exposing orange the hide of a crocodile. The tree P. Quercus palustris – Pin oak brown inner patches. is named for the eighteenth Q. Quercus prinus – Chestnut oak century English physiologist Dr. R. Tilia tomentosa – Silver linden Stephen Hales, who is considered 37. Fagus sylvatica ‘Roseo-marginata’ S. Tilia x europaea – European linden the founder of experimental plant physiology. Tricolor Beech Fagaceae (Central Europe) T. Styrax obassia – Fragrant snowbell The leaves of this beech U. Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Plumosa’ – are mottled with fresh 40. Fagus sylvatica ‘Laciniata’ Plume sawara falsecypress greens, pinks, and whites. Cut-leaf Beech Fagaceae (Central Europe) V. Abies homolepis – Nikko fir This tree, planted in 1966, The fernlike leaves of this beech cultivar turn a W. Abies concolor – Concolor fir has grown slowly due to subdued yellow in autumn. Knotty beech wood is the reduced amount of resistant to decay and is often made into clothespins, X. Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea Pendula’ – chlorophyll in the leaves. spoons, fence posts, and crates. A former president of Weeping purple beech Smith College once saw a cut-leaf beech elsewhere Y. Acer saccharum – Sugar maple