With its dark purple cones and dual-colored needles, the Bruns Serbian spruce (Picea omorika ‘Bruns’) earlier this fall became the 105th cultivated tree species on the CU Boulder campus. The newly planted specimen is tucked among the stand of evergreens in the northwest corner of Norlin Quad.
That’s just one example of the kind of facts and trivia attendees of next week’s campus tree walks will learn. Facilities Management and CU’s Museum of Natural History partner to host the tree walks each spring and fall.
This fall’s edition will be held on Monday, Oct. 22 and Tuesday, Oct. 23, beginning at 5 p.m. each day. Led by campus Arboriculture Manager Vince Aquino and retired Outdoor Services Director Alan Nelson, the walks start at the south entry to the Henderson Building (Museum of Natural History) and last about two hours. The walks are free and open to the public.
The tours are always slightly different as Aquino and Nelson lead attendees to various spots on Main Campus, discussing the natural and human history of some of the 105 species present.
The walks will be held in most weather conditions, so attendees are encouraged to dress accordingly.
If you go
Who: Free and open to the public
What: Campus tree walks
When: Monday, Oct. 22, and Tuesday, Oct. 23, 5 p.m.
Where: Meet at south door of theÌýmuseum
By the numbers
- 4 full-time arborists
- 3,844Ìýcultivated trees on campus, at last count, not to mention thousands more non-cultivated trees along the Boulder Creek corridor and other natural areas on campus
- 105 tree species
- 14 species native to Colorado, out of about 24 that are native to the state
- 8 years with Tree Campus USA designation
- Most-prevalent evergreen species: Colorado blue spruce (Picea), our state tree
- Most-prevalent deciduous species: Ash (Fraxinus)
- Biggest (and oldest) tree on campus: Plains Cottonwood on the south side of Old Main; stands 110 feet tall and dates back to 1879 or 1880
