The Arbor Day Foundation has given North Dakota State University recognition through its Tree Campus USA program.

The Arbor Day Foundation has several recognition programs to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. Two such programs are Tree City USA and Tree Campus USA.

The Tree Campus USA program recognizes excellence in campus tree management, as well as student and community involvement across the nation.

NDSU put together a Campus Tree Advisory Committee and developed a plan to meet all of the required standards before submitting an application to the Arbor Day Foundation.

“This is a very exciting time for NDSU,” says Todd West, NDSU Plant Sciences Department associate professor. “Obtaining Tree Campus USA status is a very positive step for NDSU with respect to promoting and celebrating trees on our campus, community and state. Trees are an important commodity in North Dakota, especially with the harsh growth conditions in the northern Great Plains. NDSU has a strong commitment to woody plants and has a research program dedicated to woody plant improvement.”

Each year, NDSU will hold an Arbor Day observance as required by the five standards for the Tree Campus USA program.

“An Arbor Day observance provides a golden opportunity to educate the campus community to the benefits of trees on campus and the region,” West says.

The Arbor Day observance will be held on the NDSU campus on Tuesday, Oct. 2 in conjunction with NDSU homecoming week activities. The observance will be on the west side of the 1300 block of North University Drive.

The observance will include the installation of a hydrangea research trial garden on the east side of the NDSU campus.

“Research is a vital component of NDSU, and this project is an excellent opportunity for the extension of the NDSU woody plant research project to be made available on the NDSU campus,” West says. “The garden will be open to those on campus and the entire state.”

The woody plant improvement program was developed by Dale Herman, NDSU emeritus faculty, and Larry Chaput, NDSU retired research associate. In the past year, West has taken over for Herman to continue the research program.

The NDSU woody plant improvement program has released more than 50 unique ornamental trees and shrubs suited for the northern Great Plains environment. Many of the trees and shrubs can be found planted on the NDSU campus.

NDSU woody plant introductions are being propagated for sale by commercial wholesale firms in the U.S., Australia, Canada and England. More information about the releases can be found at http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/plantsciences/research/releases/woody-plants.

NDSU is the first and only campus in the state to be given the Tree Campus USA recognition.

NDSU Agriculture Communication – Sept. 24, 2012