history

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE

ARBORETUM

HISTORY

The dual catastrophe unleashed by nature in the form of the devastating ice storm of January 1998

and the microburst in August of the same year caused immense, and in many cases irreversible

damage to the USM Gorham campus's historic landscaping. Despite intensive restorative efforts

undertaken by USM's Facilities Management crews and independent arborists, approximately 175

trees, many of which were 80 to 120 years old, were lost; including countless native species such as

northern red oak, sugar maple, and eastern white pine. In order to begin to compensate for the

extensive loss of trees, campus arborists began to plan for the future of the campus's landscaping.

After conducting a comprehensive landscape survey, it became apparent that the enhancement

of tree species diversity would be beneficial for resistance to future catastrophe, and would serve

as a botanical teaching tool for students and community members. Therefore, a decision was made

to increase tree species diversity by creating a campus arboretum.

The arboretum project gained momentum and support with a grant from the Maine Forest Service as

part of the Ice Storm Relief Fund appropriated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A formal kickoff

ceremony was conducted on Earth Day, April 22, 2001; the USM Arboretum walking tour was initiated

with the signing of the Tallories Declaration for Campus Sustainability by USM President Richard

Pattenaude on April 19, 2002. Monitoring and enhancement activities for the Arboretum's collection of

trees are ongoing in an effort to predict and provide for the future viability and diversity of the campus

landscape.