Alumni Park (Area C)

           Located in the area surrounding Corthell Hall and Robie-Andrews Hall, Alumni Park was created as part of a USM alumni effort to renovate and beautify the “original campus” area. Many beautiful and diverse plantings exist here, including a Fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) (C-1), a Sugar Tyme Flowering Crab (Malus sp. ‘Sutgzam’) (C-2), the tree form of a Corneliancherry Dogwood (Cornus mas) (C-3), a Goldfinch Magnolia (Magnolia acuminata ‘Goldfinch’) (C-4), European Weeping Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) (C-5), an Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis) (C-6), a tree form Winter Hawthorn (Crataegus viridis ‘Winter King’) (C-7), a Maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba) (C-8), and a Pin Oak (Quercus palustris) (C-9).

           The Fringetree, also known as a Grancy Gray-beard, is recognized by its white, whispy-petaled flowers that resemble an old man’s beard. The Sugar Tyme Flowering Crab is just one of the 600-crabapple types found in the U.S.  Unlike most crabapples, the Sugar Tyme demonstrates good Japanese beetle resistance.  The tree form of Corneliancherry Dogwood located here is a good basis for comparison with the clump form encountered by walkers in front of Robie-Andrews Hall. The native Allegheny Serviceberry in the west corner of Alumni Park is notable due to its four-season interest; its graceful habit in the winter gives the tree a year-round aesthetic appeal over many three-season trees. Its black, sweet fruits were once preferred by Native Americans, and are still relished by wildlife.  The European Weeping Hornbeam produces a yellow color in late fall, and is typically problem free from pest and disease.  Its hard, tough wood is a favorite of beavers.  The Winter King Hawthorn has a vase-shaped branching habit, with very distinct gray-green bloomy stems.  It, too, produces a fruit that persist through the winter.  Additionally noteworthy is the Maidenhair tree; its fan-like leaves are favorites of many. The tree also has more of a spreading habit than the Magyar Ginkgo, which was viewed at the base of the hill. Along with its beauty this tree demonstrates a tolerance to salt, and more importantly, air pollution.  Finally, one can view the Pin Oak, which is the fastest growing oak species. It possesses a tolerance to sulfur dioxide and city surroundings. Considering the current global circumstances, these tree characteristics will increase in importance.

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Pictures of trees in Area C.

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Cornelian Cherry Dogwood Cornelian Cherry Dogwood View Full-Size	Allegheny Serviceberry Allegheny Serviceberry View Full-Size
Finger Tree Finger Tree View Full-Size	Goldfinch Magnolia Goldfinch Magnolia View Full-Size
Maiden Hair Ginkgo Maiden Hair Ginkgo View Full-Size	Sugar Tyme Flowering Crabtree Sugar Tyme Flowering Crabtree View Full-Size
Winter King Hawthorn Winter King Hawthorn View Full-Size