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.