University President Tony Allen and Cynthia Hong-Wa, Curator of the University's Claude E. Phillips Herbarium, hold the institution's Tree Campus USA plaque. The consecutive run of that University distinction made it necessary to extended the annual recognition onto a second plaque. — *In this photo:* University President Tony Allen and Cynthia Hong-Wa, Curator of the University’s Claude E. Phillips Herbarium, hold the institution’s Tree Campus USA plaque. The consecutive run of that University distinction made it necessary to extended the annual recognition onto a second plaque.

On Campus

University campus reaffirmed as a Tree Campus USA

Friday, April 21, 2023

Delaware State University recently received notification for the 12th consecutive year that it had once again earned the status of being named a Tree Campus USA.

To obtain this repeat distinction, the University has once again met the five core standards for sustainable campus forestry required by Tree Campus USA, including the existence of a Tree Advisory Committee, evidence of a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance and the sponsorship of student service-learning projects.

The campus tree collection has been accredited as an arboretum by the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program since 2011. The ArbNet website gives the following description of the University Arboretum:

“The Delaware State University (DSU) Arboretum is on the 400-acre main campus in Dover, the state capital of Delaware, located on the coastal plain of the eastern USA (USDA zone 7). The Arboretum is comprised of the hundreds of planted campus trees, totaling 172 different species of trees and shrubs (114 tree species, 58 shrub species). Each species is labeled; and a map of these trees/shrubs, with lists of scientific and common names with map coordinates, is on the DSU Arboretum brochure. The trees are documented with species descriptions, GPS locations, pressed plant voucher specimens, photographs, and scanned herbarium specimen images.

“The DSU Arboretum tree and shrub collection is diverse, and valuable for teaching, research, and aesthetic purposes. The 68 native species, which represent 40% of the total 172 species, also have ecological importance. The collection includes unique trees, such as a state record shingle oak, the second largest in Delaware; and a large black walnut, which is on the waiting list for state record tree.

“Recent plantings were selected to further increase the diversity of trees on campus, and for their educational, ecological, and ornamental value. These include Delaware natives such as beach plum, American chestnut, and chinquapin. Some intriguing non-native species are monkey puzzle tree, franklinia, and umbrella-pine. The DSU Arboretum beautifies the campus in all seasons, especially with spring-flowering trees, and fall foliage.”

Of the 597 arboretums worldwide, Delaware State University in one of only two HBCUs to have that distinction (the other being West Virginia State University).