Historic | Washington University Arboretum | Washington University in St. Louis

American Basswood (removed July 2023)

Arbor Walk #17, Treekeeper ID #1937

This is one of the oldest and largest trees on campus. It has large green leaves and small, sweetly scented flowers. Recently, efforts have been taken to preserve and continue on the genetic lineage of this tree whose history follows that of WashU's Danforth Campus.

Chinkapin Oak

Arbor Walk #26, Treekeeper ID #1345

Native to the Midwest, the Chinkapin Oak can be easily recognized due to its small, toothed leaves. Unlike most oaks, the Chinkapin has unusually flaky and fissured bark.

Ginkgo

Arbor walk #12, Treekeeper ID #1649

THE CONSENT

BY HOWARD NEMEROV

Late in November, on a single night

Not even near to freezing, the ginkgo trees

That stand along the walk drop all their leaves

In one consent, and neither to rain nor to wind

But as though to time alone: the golden and green

Leaves litter the lawn today, that yesterday

Had spread aloft their fluttering fans of light.

What signal from the stars? What senses took it in?

What in those wooden motives so decided

To strike their leaves, to down their leaves,

Rebellion or surrender? and if this

Can happen thus, what race shall be exempt?

What use to learn the lessons taught by time,

If a star at any time may tell us: Now.

Hybrid Oak

Arbor Walk #125

The Heritage Oak is a hybrid between the English Oak (Quercus robur) and the Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa), two similar white oaks from different continents. These closely related species produce a sturdy, fast-growing oak with the large acorns of the Bur Oak and fall colors of the English Oak.

Kentucky Coffeetree

Arbor walk #7, Treekeeper ID #2253

This tree is a "seedless" variety of the native species. It is native to Missouri and the Midwest. Early settlers of Kentucky used the tree's seeds as a coffee substitute, hence its common name.

Tulip Poplar

Arbor Walk #13, Treekeeper ID #1888

This native tree’s common name comes from its flower that is shaped like a tulip. In 1991, WU was given this tree as a seedling. It was grown from seed taken from the original Tulip Trees planted by George Washington in 1785 at his Mount Vernon home.