University of Arizona Campus Arboretum

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The majestic, mature Red Gum Eucalyptus trees at the University of Arizona's Women’s Plaza of Honor are affectionately called the “grandmother trees” because they pre-date the installation of the landscape there and because of the way they appear to watch over the younger plants in surrounding the plaza.

The space was specifically designed to build on the contribution of these large trees. Further, the construction of this space around existing mature trees was relatively unprecedented. While many large trees were lost prior to the 1990’s to make room for new building construction, the Women’s Plaza of Honor was the first project that invited the newly established Campus Arboretum to provide guidance throughout the construction process to provide protection to existing trees in an attempt to preserve the most valuable specimens and the heritage they reflect. 

Eucalyptus camaldulensis is a massive tree, compared to Sonoran Desert native trees. It can reach heights of 180 feet with a trunk over 7 feet in diameter. “Eucalyptus” comes from the Greek word meaning "well-capped," referring to the cap which encloses the developing flowers of the genus. The red gum’s flowers, hidden below the cap during development reveal themselves at maturity as bristly looking forms growing together in small clusters, which eventually mature into woody capsules after pollination. The term “gum” used in the common name refers to the sticky secretions many Eucalyptus exude from wounds. The tree is an excellent producer of pollen and nectar for honey, and its oil is used in aromatherapy, bath, and other hygiene products world wide.

Want to find out more about the history of trees on campus?  Check out our Arboretum History tour on Saturday, May 6 at 9:00 a.m.!

Edition: 
Phoenix
Tucson
Issue: 
May 2017