This year, the Purdue Arboretum reached another milestone. In 2019—together with Purdue Grounds Department, Campus Planning, and Architecture and Sustainability Facilities—they proposed that 1869 trees would be planted on campus over a period of 5 years, as part of a Tree Planting Master Plan initiative. This number quickly grew to 3738 trees, which was determined by doubling 1869—the year Purdue was founded.
The last group of trees to be planted this spring fell into the hands of arboretum director, Paul Siciliano and a team of volunteer students. Siciliano and the Grounds Department were there to help deliver trees to Horticulture Park, while the tools and decision-making power was left to the students’ hands. Siciliano notes that “Hands on experience like this gives horticulture and landscape architecture students a chance to learn more about trees and apply their knowledge from class.”
Student workers for the Arboretum were a part of the tree selection and location process at Horticulture Park. Their focus was to increase the population of native plant species.
Kayla Edgerly, Landscape Architecture Student, Purdue Arboretum Student Staff Leader
Madeline Budan, Landscape Architecture Student, Purdue Arboretum Student Staff Leader
Pictured left to right: Landscape Architecture Students and Arboretum Staff, Madeline Budan, Grace Wagner, Kayla Edgerly, and Josh Bailey
Siciliano and the students selected many native plant types like witch hazels, dogwoods, prairie crabapples, redbuds, serviceberries and more. These new plantings will positively impact the environment, wildlife, and the community for generations to come.
Siciliano regards the contribution of our students as a major factor in the success of the Arboretum. This final student-led planting at Horticulture Park is an example of their hard work and passion for creating a beautiful and sustainable landscape on Purdue’s campus. They’ve left a living mark on Purdue.