Get ready for the many cherry trees and other flowering trees on campus to peak in the next few weeks. Learn what species we have, where to find them and how 成人影片 keeps them blooming.
Spring is arguably the prettiest season on campus. It鈥檚 when our many flowering trees, most notably, the cherry trees, burst into bloom. But what types of cherry trees can we see, who cares for them and how do they keep them in top form? To find out, we spoke with Bob Conaghan, associate director of facilities.
According to Conaghan, two varieties of Japanese cherry trees, which vary in size and age, grace the campus. The majority are Kwanzan cherry trees, with deep pink blossoms that pleasantly contrast with the white to paler pink shades of the Yoshino trees.
The cherry trees that have 聽been planted along the baseball field are informally referred to by Conaghan鈥檚 grounds crew as 鈥渃herry lane,鈥� he reported. The trees start blooming in mid-April. The Kwanzan (prunus serrulata) cherry trees in front of the Ruth S. Harley University Center are a favorite spot for grads to pose in their caps and gowns.
Conaghan, whose career at 成人影片 began 44 years ago, recalled a time when there was a single surviving black cherry tree鈥攑runus serotina鈥攂y the Hy Weinberg Center. Unlike the Kwanzan and Yoshino blossoming trees, black cherry trees are native to Long Island and bear fruit.
Meet Some Other Trees
For those eagerly awaiting the peak of the cherry trees鈥� blossoms, Conaghan noted that the Cornelian cherry dogwoods, which he planted a few years ago on South Avenue and between the Nexus Building and Swirbul Library, are always the first trees to bloom on campus with their lovely yellow flowers. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not a cherry tree, despite its name, but does have beautiful early blossoms.鈥�
He pointed out a native Long Island tree called an eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) by Hagedorn Hall that bursts into purple-hued flowers in May. 鈥淲alk from the UC to Nexus and you鈥檒l see a purple-leaf flowering plum tree on your left,鈥� he noted. 鈥淲e also have a few different types of magnolias that are also getting ready to bloom. One of my favorites, on the south side of Levermore Hall, is the cucumber magnolia, with its pretty yellow flowers.鈥�
TLC for Cherry Trees
Caring for the cherry trees is relatively straightforward, Conaghan said, adding, 鈥淧runing is important to keep a tree鈥檚 crown in shape. And they don鈥檛 like to be overwatered.
鈥淲e have a good system here, though,鈥� he explained. 鈥淲hen I took over the grounds, I threw out all pesticides and began an organic practice. We bring in insects such as assassin bugs and green lacewings to eat insects we don鈥檛 want. We engage in proper pruning and watering鈥攚hich all seem to be working to keep the trees in good shape.鈥�
Like all living things, however, the ornamental cherry trees have a lifespan. 鈥淪ome of the older ones have been here for 70 years鈥攂ut they won鈥檛 last forever,鈥� Conaghan said.
That鈥檚 why 鈥淲e continue to plant more cherry trees on campus. We like variety, but we mainly look for what is healthiest at local nurseries. If Kwanzan trees look healthier than Yoshino trees, we鈥檒l get them鈥攐r vice versa.鈥�
Boots on the Grounds
Conaghan鈥檚 grounds crew of four is led by foreman Jimmy Campbell, who is 鈥渁 miracle on two feet,鈥� Conaghan said. Beginning at 6:30 every morning, the crew polices the entire campus, not only cleaning up garbage, but also inspecting the shrubs, trees, flowers and grass. This daily check ensures that any problem鈥攚hether aphids in a tree or a lawn that is turning brown鈥攊s taken care of without delay and unnecessary expense.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 want plants to die on our watch,鈥� Conaghan insisted. 鈥淎nd we want our beautiful campus and arboretum to look the best it can. I鈥檓 not the one responsible for how nice the campus looks. The grounds crew is. These fantastic guys have a great knowledge of plants, flowers, trees. They make my job easy.鈥�