Did you know that more than 60 tree species are spread across the Bluffton University campus?

Earlier this year Joanne Antibus compiled several tree maps of campus, which demonstrates the diversity of trees growing in the campus portion of the community.

The maps (posted as attachments to this story) are compiled by:
• Memorial and recognition trees
• Labeled gymnosperm (cone-producing) tree species
• Labeled angiosperm (flowering) tree species walk
• Angiosperm (flowering) tree species

While working on the ambitious project, she said that managing a diversity of tree species not only enhances the beauty of the campus, but also the health of the campus ecosystem.

Her husband, Dr. Robert Antibus, originally started the tree maps project. His project was intended to be a quick tree walk for campus visitors.

He then included his material into curriculum for botany, outdoor recreation and Institute for Learning in Retirement classes.

While the Icon is posting the maps and tree identification, binders containing additional information about each tree species are available for checkout at the Musselman Library at Bluffton University. The binder has over 40 pages of information.

On July 31 the Icon posted a story about a Bluffton Girl Scout troop that identified trees in the Village Arboretum.

To read that story CLICK HERE.