The University of Idaho’s sprawling Arboretum and Botanical Garden is home to the Chinese Spruce, a few Flowering Pear trees and even families of ducklings and migratory birds. It is also a carefully maintained and accredited academic resource.
Flowers are seen overlooking the northernmost pond in the University of Idaho Arboretum and Botanical Garden. philip vukelich | summer arg
According to the university, the “arboretum (has to have) more than 500 varieties of trees and woody plants, a dedicated curator, professional collaboration with other arboreta and an active education and conservation effort,” to be considered for accreditation by the Morton Register of Arboreta.
Horticulturist and arboreta superintendent Paul Warnick said the UI Arboretum was granted a level three accreditation after applying to the Morton Register – a system of aboreta-accreditation that acts as a way to identify the various arboreta that can be educational tools.
“The program is based on a four-level accreditation,” Warnick said. “We applied for and were granted a level three. A goal could be to achieve level-four status – and if there were other comparable arboreta at that level it would provide more motivation to strive for that improvement.”
Introduced through Arbnet.org, the Morton Register is still a fairly new way to credit arboreta.
“Since the program is brand new, for now it realistically does not mean a lot,” Warnick said. “The only way the program will provide value is if most of the other worthy arboreta apply for accreditation.”
Warnick said the arboretum is used by various types of academic courses as a living, breathing classroom.
“The Arboretum is used by a wide range of classes from plant materials, to entomology, to architecture design studios,” Warnick said. “Whenever the weather is decent there will be some class use during any given day.”
Separated into Asian, European, Eastern and Western North American sections, the Arboretum is one of the largest areas of green space on campus.
Director of landscape and exterior services Charles Zillinger said the unique organization of the Arboretum allows visitors to fully appreciate the many differences in plants that are fostered based on their geographical home.
“Having the new arboreta organized by geographical origin allows the visitors to see and realize where many of the plants they admire or have in their own yard or garden come from,” Zillinger said.
In the 102 years since the Arboretum was planted, it has become a campus staple. Former groundskeeper Charles Shattuck, after planting a “weedy14-acre slope,” introduced hundreds of new trees and shrubs in efforts to educate the students and also beautify the campus, according to the Unviersity of Idaho.
“Arboretum Hill,” the slope west of the Administration Building, was named for Shattuck in 1933 to honor his efforts.
When deciding on where to venture and explore in the Arboretum, the gravel paths and clear labels can provide clarity and background for the visitor.
“The layout of the new arboretum can be both a place for peaceful and secluded discovery, or provide some dramatic and beautiful viewscapes across many of the higher points of the valley,” Zillinger said.
But as with any green space, the view can change dramatically with each passing season.
“Every visit can be different depending on the path chosen,” Zillinger said.
CUTLINE:
philip vukelich | summer arg
Flowers are seen overlooking the northernmost pond in the University of Idaho Arboretum and Botanical Garden.
Chloe Rambo can be reached at [email protected]