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Tours

  1. Trees of the Botanic Garden

    Discover Smith's beautiful biodiversity of trees.

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    1. Start Your Tree Tour Here with the Ginkgo biloba

      Among the interesting trees on the Smith campus are numerous mature Asian specimens. While this walking tour represents only a sampling of Smith's collection and does not include trees on the other side of Elm Street, you will see many beautiful and unusual trees. We hope your appreciation of trees will increase, and you will be inspired to go home and plant a tree. Learn more on TreeSpeak.

       

      All of Smith's trees are labeled in the following way:

      Scientific name and cultivar: For example, Cornus florida 'Pendula'

      Common name: Weeping Flowering Dogwood

      Family: Cornaceae

      Nativity and Accession Number: Eastern North America 26602*A

      The last two digits of the accession number indicate year added to our collection (in this example, 2000). The letters "PA" indicate pre-1971 (when we began our numbering system).

       

      Ginkgo biloba

      Maidenhair Tree

      Ginkgoaceae (China)

      Growing on earth for 150–200 million years, the ginkgo biloba gymnosperm is the only remaining member of an ancient plant family. In autumn, its deciduous leaves turn a golden yellow and cascade to the ground, sometimes all within one day. Asian cultures consider the ginkgo sacred, and it is said to have medicinal properties for improving brain function. It is an excellent urban tree, as it is tolerant of different conditions. This magnificent male on Smith's campus is more than 100 years old. 

       

       

       

    2. Sciadopitys verticillata

      Japanese Umbrella Pine 
      Sciadopityaceaa (Japan) 

      The unique needles of Sciadopitys radiate around the stems like the spokes of an umbrella. Pollen of this species was found in North American fossils from the upper Triassic period. Scientists hypothesize that New England was part of this tree's prehistoric range before it was reintroduced here from Asia in 1861 by the Massachusetts Agricultural College. It is the only species in its family and, despite its common name, is not a true pine. In 1914, this specimen had a trunk diameter of three inches, and it is now one of the largest trees of its kind in Massachusetts.


       

    3. Ulmus glabra 'Camperdownii'

      Also known as U. x vegeta 'Camperdownii'
      Camperdown Elm 

      Ulmaceae (Garden Origin)

      Creeping in habit, this cultivar is grafted onto the understock of an upright elm for a dramatic display of pendulous branches. 'Camperdownii' originated from a seedling found growing at Camperdown House near Dundee, Scotland, in the early 1800s. The graft union is visible on the trunk where the furrowed and cross-checked barks join. The rough, sandpaper-like leaves turn yellow in fall. Olmsted’s original plant lists include this tree as well as the Ginkgo, Sciadopitys and Cercidiphyllum.


       

    4. Cornus kousa

      Kousa Dogwood
      Cornaceae (Japan, Korea, China) 

      This kousa dogwood is a true four-season tree and is more disease resistant than the native C. florida. It also blooms later than our native flowering dogwood, with an outstanding display of flowers shrouding the tree in June after it has leafed out. The showy white bracts that surround the small yellow flowers are pointed at the tips. In late August through October, pendulous red fruits resembling raspberries hang from the tree. The fall color combines a brilliant palette of reds, oranges and yellows. Notice the beautiful mottled bark.

       

       

    5. Franklinia alatamaha

      Benjamin Franklin Tree

      Theaceae (Georgia)

      First encountered growing along the Altamaha River in Georgia in 1765 by American botanists John and William Bartram, this member of the tea family is now extinct in the wild. All trees in cultivation are descendants of those distributed by the Bartrams. The striking white flowers with golden stamens appear late in the summer, and in autumn the leaves turn orange, red and purple. Franklinia is only marginally hardy in western Massachusetts. This specimen died back to the ground after the extremely cold winter of 1980 but has since recovered.


    6. Taxodium distichum var. nutans

      Also known as T. ascendens

      Pond Cypress

      Taxodiaceae (Southeast United States)

      This deciduous conifer, with its buttressed trunk, is rare in this region. Tolerant of wet swampy areas, it grows naturally in the southern United States and ranges north to Delaware. It often extends aerating projections, called “knees,” up from the water. In fall, the threadlike leaves turn a rusty orange before dropping. Our records indicate that this tree had a trunk diameter of 11 inches in 1931.

    7. Cercidiphyllum japonicum

      Katsura Tree

      Cercidiphyllaceae (Japan & China)
      The katsura is dioecious (separate female and male plants). While the leaves emerge in spring with a reddish purple color, in autumn they turn a bright apricot yellow and give off an aroma reminiscent of burnt sugar. As the tree ages, its bark becomes shaggy. Paper-thin winged seeds are folded within the tiny pealike pods that appear in clusters along the branches of this female. Her male counterpart is across the campus, next to Clark Hall.

       

    8. Metasequoia glyptostroboides

      Dawn Redwood

      Taxodiaceae (Western China)

      Delicate fernlike leaves complement the noble size and structure of this majestic tree. Fossils of Metasequoia were found in rocks of the Eocene epoch (54 to 35 million years ago). It was thought to be extinct until 1941 when Chinese botanists discovered a small grove in China’s Szechwan province. This tree was planted in 1948 from seeds collected from those trees in China, and was recognized by the National Arborist Association as one of the largest in New England. An extremely fast grower, it has reached this size despite being relocated to its current site in 1964.

    9. Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis

      Honey Locust

      Fabaceae (North America)
      The reddish-brown seedpods rattle on the branches of this particular specimen through the winter, although there are cultivars available that do not produce pods. The pods and the pinnately compound leaves are clues that the honey locust is a member of the legume family. The species can easily reach heights of 60 feet, and the leaves provide a fine texture with light dappled shade. The variety inermis does not have the vicious thorns typical of the species. 

    10. Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Cumulus’

      Apple Serviceberry

      Rosaceae (hybrid of A. arborea and A. laevis, both of Eastern North America)

      An early spring bloomer, Amelanchier is also called shadbush or shadblow, since it flowers when shadfish spawn. This hybrid produces masses of small white flowers that are larger and showier than either parent species. Juneberry is another name that is used because the flowers are followed by maroon-purple, edible berries, which are quickly eaten by birds. In the fall the foliage turns an orange or reddish shade. Serviceberry is generally a good choice for a small tree in the landscape.

    11. Juglans regia

      English or Persian Walnut

      Juglandaceae (Eastern Europe)

      While native to southeastern Europe, this species is often found growing in the wild east to China. The nuts, which grow to two inches in diameter, have been harvested since the earliest times, and the trees have long been cultivated commercially. Today, California is one of the largest English walnut producers. As a folk remedy, the leaves and fruit were used to treat a wide variety of ailments, including anthrax, asthma, dysentery, eczema and syphilis. Its high quality wood is used for furniture. This particular tree was planted here in 1939 when it was only six feet tall.

    12. Stewartia koreana

      Korean Stewartia 

      Theaceae (Eastern Asia)

      One of the great attributes of this tree is the intermingled mosaic of colors of the exfoliating bark. Rich lavender and jade hues curl away to reveal the golden undersides. In July, this hardy camellia relative produces two-to-three-inch white flowers. The stunning bark and exotic flowers make it an excellent choice for the home landscape. The botanic garden grew this specimen from seed acquired by the Arnold Arboretum in 1952.

    13. Styphnolobium japonicum

      Chinese Scholar Tree or Pagoda Tree

      Fabaceae (Korea and China)

      Formerly called Sophora japonica, this handsome late summer bloomer creates a milky carpet of fragrant bell-shaped flowers on the ground below when shedding its blooms. A member of the legume family, it produces green pods resembling irregular strings of beads. This species is highly tolerant of urban pollution.

    14. Liriodendron tulipfera

      Tulip Tree or Tulip Poplar

      Magnoliaceae (Eastern North America)

      Neither a tulip nor a poplar, this magnolia relative bears broadly lobed, waxy leaves of a distinctive shape. Its extremely straight trunk was used for canoes and is now a common timber wood. Mature trees produce tulip-shaped flowers high in the upper branches. Winged seed, to be dispersed by the wind, form in cone-like structures that perch on the bare winter branches.

    15. Aesculus hippocastanum

      Common Horsechestnut

      Hippocastanaceae (Northern Greece and Albania) 

      This stately tree is commonly found in cities and gardens throughout Europe. The deep brown polished fruits are encased in a spiky sheath. Though the nuts are toxic to humans, squirrels are often seen collecting them. The leaves emerge from very large sticky buds and are palmately compound. In late spring showy pyramidal clusters of ivory flowers appear, resembling Chinese temples.

    16. Oxydendrum arboreum

      Sourwood

      Ericaceae (Eastern United States)

      Clusters of pendulous white flowers are produced in midsummer by this rhododendron relative. It is one of the earliest trees to reveal its striking fall colors, starting mid to late summer. Long, dry seed capsules contrast with the arching canopy of blazing red leaves in early fall and are a good identification feature in the winter.

    17. Acer japonicum

      Full Moon Maple

      Aceraceae (Japan)

      Reaching heights of only 10–15 feet, this small, elegant tree flaunts a fiery explosion of color in the fall. Its handsome leaves are deeply incised with seven to 11 palmate lobes.

       

    18. Populus deltoides

      Cottonwood

      Salicaceae (Eastern North America)

      Often regarded as a weedy tree, cottonwood is very messy in the landscape, dropping lots of leaves, flowers, twigs and branches. The wood is weak and very susceptible to storm damage. The name cottonwood derives from the silky or cottony hairs surrounding the seeds, which are released in great profusion in late spring. In fact, this specimen seeded itself here. The species loves moist areas, especially along rivers, and in the home landscape the roots often find their way into sewer systems. 

    19. Acer saccharum 'Newton Sentry'

      Newton Sentry Sugar Maple

      Aceraceae (Eastern and Central United States)

      Its extreme columnar form makes this cultivar the narrowest sugar maple. While this growth habit is rare in the wild, it can be particularly useful in the landscape. This tree was discovered near the entrance to Newton Cemetery in Newton, Massachusetts, propagated, and introduced into the nursery trade in 1885. It has yellow orange fall color. The columnar sugar maple just to the right that is not as slender as the cultivar 'Temple’s Upright.'


       

    20. Ulmus spp.

      Elm Hybrids

      Ulmaceae (Horticultural Origin)

      Dutch elm disease has killed millions of American elms, Ulmus americana. Although disease-resistant elms are on the market, it is still risky to plant too many, as they might eventually succumb to the disease. Along Green Street we have planted hybrid elms that do not have any American elm “blood.” While they will not mature to look like American elms, they are somewhat similar, are less prone to disease and grow just as fast. Included are Ulmus japonica 'JFS-Bieberich,' known as Emerald Sunshine; Ulmus japonica 'Discovery'; Ulmus 'Homestead'; Ulmus wilsoniana 'Prospector'; Ulmus x hollandica 'Pioneer'; Ulmus 'Morton Plainsman,' also known as Vanguard; and Ulmus 'Morton Stalwart,' also known as Commendation.

    21. Thuja plicata

      Western Red Cedar or Giant Arborvitae

      Cupressaceae (Northwest America)

      This stately tree has aromatic overlapping leaves resembling the scales of a serpent. The evergreen leaves are a rich glossy green above with faint white markings beneath. Clusters of small cones form along the branches. Native Americans made canoes from the hollowed out trunks and wove the fibrous inner bark into mats, baskets and hats. The tough roots were even used as fishhooks. Today, its durable timber is the principal wood used to manufacture shingles.


       

    22. Juglans nigra

      Black Walnut

      Juglandaceae (Eastern and Central United States) 

      The finely grained wood of this species was used for plane propellers and is still prized for high quality furniture. Black walnut timber was once so valued that nighttime operations of “Walnut Rustlers” stole whole trees using helicopters. The inner surface of the pulpy green nut husk contains a powerful black dye. The nuts are oily and sweet but hard to crack. Nearly all parts of this tree exude a chemical called juglone, which stunts or prevents the growth of other nearby plants.

    23. Betula nigra

      River Birch

      Betulaceae (Eastern and Central United States)

      This graceful tree grows naturally along rivers, reducing soil erosion with its tightly woven roots. Historically, the wood of this Massachusetts native was used for ox yokes, wooden shoes and rice cask hoops. Sap can be fermented to make birch beer or vinegar. River birch flowers in the spring, with male and female catkins on the same tree. It is the only birch that disperses its seed in the spring. This huge specimen had a 10-inch trunk diameter in 1914.


    24. Nyssa sylvatica

      Sour Gum Tree, Black Gum or Black Tupelo
      Nyssaceae (Eastern and Central United States) 

      In classical mythology, Nyssa was the name given to a water nymph. This native tree flourishes in swampy woods and displays sprightly fall colors of scarlet red, burgundy, yellow and purple, pleasantly contrasting with small blue fruits.

    25. Maackia amurensis

      Amur Maackia

      Fabaceae (Manchuria)

      Named for Russian naturalist Richard Maack (1825–1886), this tree bears pinnately compound leaves and tightly packed, small pea-like white flowers in midsummer. The smooth bark is an olive-bronze stippled with yellow diamond-shaped patterns.


       

    26. Kalopanax septemlobus

      Tree Aralia

      Araliaceae (Asia)

      This tree’s large, glossy, palmately lobed leaves create a tropical effect. It blooms in late July with small individual flowers borne in great quantity. The fruit clusters persist into winter, attracting birds. Yellow prickles form on the young stems of the deeply ridged bark.

       

    27. Davidia involucrata var. vilmoriniana

      Dove Tree or Handkerchief Tree

      Nyssaceaa (Central China) 

      Growing outside of its usual hardiness range, this elegant tree is one of the more unusual specimens on campus. It was moved to its current location in April 2000 during the Brown Fine Arts Center renovation. Davidia is often described as the most handsome of flowering trees. In May, graceful white flowers appear, with two long pendulous bracts of unequal size. In the wind, these dangling bracts wave among the leaves like white handkerchiefs or twittering doves.

       

    28. Platanus x acerifolia

      London Planetree

      Platanaceae (Amerasian hybrid)

      This hybrid is a cross between the American P. occidentalis and the European P. orientalis. It was first found growing in London during the Renaissance. In winter, the white snow accentuates the remarkable olive green, sienna and ivory colors of its exfoliating bark. Globular clusters of bristly fruits send particles of fluff into the spring air. It is commonly used as a street tree because of its tolerance of low soil oxygen. This specimen is a New England champion.

    29. Ulmus americana

      American Elm

      Ulmaceae (Eastern North America)

      The regal fountain-like structure of the American elm, the state tree of Massachusetts, is what made it so beloved. North American landscapes changed forever with the arrival of Dutch elm disease. Caused by a fungus spread by bark beetles, the disease was first detected in America in 1920. The beetles arrived as stowaways on elm logs that were shipped to the United States for wood veneer. By 1987, the nation had lost 40 million elms. The few remaining on the Smith campus are maintained by regular fungicide injections.

    30. Acer griseum

      Paperbark Maple
      Aceraceae (Central China) 

      Thin glossy peeling bark distinguishes this small tree from other maples. The trifoliate leaves are bluish-green and change to scarlet in the fall. Delicate winged seeds hold fast to the stems and helicopter into the snow throughout winter. This tree is a wonderful choice for the small garden.

    31. Fagus sylvatica 'Pendula'

      Weeping Beech

      Fagaceae (Central Europe)

      Planted in 1932, this tree has grown into something out of a Grimm’s fairy tale. The long weeping branches arch to the ground and take root, forming a tent-like chamber. In any season, it is a magical feeling to walk below the skeletal architecture of this biologically created dome.

    32. Zelkova serrata

      Japanese Zelkova

      Ulmaceae (Japan)

      Though this fast growing tree does not have the graceful form of its relative, the American elm, it is resistant to Dutch elm disease. Leaves are elegantly serrated and the bark peels back, exposing orange brown inner patches.

       

    33. Fagus sylvatica 'Rosea-marginata'

      Tricolor Beech

      Fagaceae (Central Europe)

      The leaves of this beech are mottled with fresh greens, pinks and whites. This tree, planted in 1966, has grown slowly due to the reduced amount of chlorophyll in the leaves. 

    34. Quercus robur 'Fastigiata'

      Upright English Oak

      Fagaceae (Europe, North Africa, West Asia)

      This upright form of English oak was first discovered in a forest in Germany in 1783 and brought into cultivation. It breeds true from seed about 80–90 percent of the time, with some seedling variation. It is a good choice for urban areas, as the species is very tolerant of air pollution, compacted soil and poor drainage, as well as drought. The tree may reach upwards of 50 feet tall, with a spread of only 10–15 feet. Powdery mildew is sometimes a problem.

       

    35. Halesia monticola

      Mountain Silverbell

      Styracaceae (Appalachian Mountains)

      This dignified tree shrouds itself in early May with short lived, white bell-shaped flowers. The four-winged seedpods that follow are distinctive in design and change from green to a light brown as they dry. The long floppy leaves fade to a yellow in fall and the smoky brown bark is often said to look like the hide of a crocodile. The tree is named for the 18th century English physiologist Stephen Hales, who is considered the founder of experimental plant physiology.

    36. Fagus sylvatica 'Laciniata'

      Cut-leaf Beech

      Fagaceae (Central Europe)

      The fernlike leaves of this beech cultivar turn a subdued yellow in autumn. Knotty beech wood is resistant to decay and is often made into clothespins, spoons, fence posts and crates. A former Smith president once saw a cut-leaf beech elsewhere and liked it. When he returned to the college, he asked the head horticulturist, Bill Campbell, if the campus could acquire one. Mr. Campbell then pointed to this specimen, already growing in the president’s front yard!