2008 Woodie Awards
Diverse tree population ads character to Maguire
AnnMarie Gervasio '08
Issue date: 5/10/08 Section: Features
Episcopal Academy is serious about trees.
In fact, at one time, every native North American species that could grow in Philadelphia's climate existed on the school's Merion campus.
That project was the brainchild of Episcopal's own Dr. Doolittle, Fred Doolittle, to be exact. Doolittle was a classics teacher at Episcopal who started teaching there in 1905 and continued until he was 80. He founded the school's Forestry Club and planted the 600-plus species of trees on Episcopal's campus.
Doolittle's legacy at Episcopal extends beyond the school's
landscape. There is a prize given at the school in Doolittle's name and an outdoor classroom called the Doolittle Room.
Since Doolittle planted the trees, about one third of them have died. The school has never removed a tree just to remove a tree, according to Len Haley, director of Plant and Operations. But Haley said that the school does not re-plant the trees that have died because the trees that are still alive need room to grow.
Haley said Episcopal spends $10,000 to $15,000 per year on trees.
Haley added that he hopes Saint Joseph's University will take care of the trees as much as he has.
He inspects the trees twice a year and removes the rot.
In comparison, Saint Joseph's current campus has
60 to 80 different species of trees, most of which are
not native to North America. Instead, most of the trees on St. Joe's campus are hybrids or from other continents.
Karen Snetselaar, Ph.D., professor of biology, and Clint Springer, Ph.D, assistant professor of biology, both said that it was amazing that Episcopal has so many native trees.
Springer said it would be a horrible thing to lose the trees on the Episcopal campus because of such diversity. He said he is amazed at how long the trees have been around.
"It is important to maintain the trees because it would be a shame to lose it," Springer said.
Springer said he would like to see the university put plaques on the trees to identify species and indicate how old each tree is. He said such a measure would help people care about the trees.
In fact, at one time, every native North American species that could grow in Philadelphia's climate existed on the school's Merion campus.
That project was the brainchild of Episcopal's own Dr. Doolittle, Fred Doolittle, to be exact. Doolittle was a classics teacher at Episcopal who started teaching there in 1905 and continued until he was 80. He founded the school's Forestry Club and planted the 600-plus species of trees on Episcopal's campus.
Doolittle's legacy at Episcopal extends beyond the school's
landscape. There is a prize given at the school in Doolittle's name and an outdoor classroom called the Doolittle Room.
Since Doolittle planted the trees, about one third of them have died. The school has never removed a tree just to remove a tree, according to Len Haley, director of Plant and Operations. But Haley said that the school does not re-plant the trees that have died because the trees that are still alive need room to grow.
Haley said Episcopal spends $10,000 to $15,000 per year on trees.
Haley added that he hopes Saint Joseph's University will take care of the trees as much as he has.
He inspects the trees twice a year and removes the rot.
In comparison, Saint Joseph's current campus has
60 to 80 different species of trees, most of which are
not native to North America. Instead, most of the trees on St. Joe's campus are hybrids or from other continents.
Karen Snetselaar, Ph.D., professor of biology, and Clint Springer, Ph.D, assistant professor of biology, both said that it was amazing that Episcopal has so many native trees.
Springer said it would be a horrible thing to lose the trees on the Episcopal campus because of such diversity. He said he is amazed at how long the trees have been around.
"It is important to maintain the trees because it would be a shame to lose it," Springer said.
Springer said he would like to see the university put plaques on the trees to identify species and indicate how old each tree is. He said such a measure would help people care about the trees.
Be the first to comment on this story