Story by Opinion Editor Zoebelle Bean, Culture Article
On Monday, September 18th, Jessica Bowen, Director of Sustainability, invited the Aquinas College community to participate in Tree Tours with Ryan Wendt. These tours were an hour-long opportunity to get to know the 95+ tree species on campus and learn more about the woodlands of Aquinas.
Chief Editor, Mark Musgrave III, and the editor had a chance to participate in a Tree Tour, and not only did Wendt provide information on the campus trees, but he also presented some facts about the college along the way.
During the tour, Wendt covered trees such as Maples, Hickory trees, and Pines. Outside AB, Wendt introduced the Norway Maple, which is said to give good luck if you catch a seedling that falls. On the path from Holmdene to AB, Pignut Hickory trees can be seen, which were donated by former Professors. Outside of the Chapel, there are Redbud trees planted, otherwise known as Judas trees.
Some trees were dismembered or otherwise harmed in some way, including the White Willow by the Wege Pond bridge. A thunderstorm took out the top half though it still continues to grow. Not only that, but someone ripped the top off of a Tamarack tree planted close to the edge of the pond over this past summer, though Campus Safety doesn’t know who or why.
One tree has been dubbed the “cement tree” outside of the Advantage Center building. This tree has no growth and died in 2015 but is filled with cement so it is very difficult to remove. Father Bob Keller is in the process of decorating it with vines.
Along the way, Wendt mentioned several facts besides trees. He explained how the Gatekeeper’s House used to be offices for alumni but is now used for storage, and there’s still a t-shirt machine in the building. There’s also a “Holmdene” poll beside this building that used to be an actual gate, which guarded the main driveway to Holmdene before the road the college uses today was paved.
Wendt explained how the Circle Theatre parking lot used to be a soccer field and, according to Wendt, when the hospital sought more parking for their employees, they promised to give Aquinas a new field if they turned theirs into a parking lot, which is the Plymouth Lot today. Blodgett Hospital employees are still allowed to use the lot to park in for their shifts.
Tree Tours will continue to operate until October 27. If you want to request a time or inquire about this opportunity, contact Ryan Wendt at leaftour@aquinas.edu.
Featured Image Courtesy of Jessica Bowen
The Saint 