Arboretum & Landscape Committee
ACTIVITIES REPORT for 2000-2001 and 2001-2002
OVERVIEW
This report summarizes the activities of the Arboretum and Landscape Committee from fall 2000 through summer 2002. A summary of planting projects and design studies sponsored by the
committee is included. In reflecting on the overall picture of the University landscape for the last
two years, there are two circumstances that bear mentioning because of their major impact -
massive state funding cutbacks to the University, and a prodigious, record- setting drought.
State funding reductions: The recent series of deep state budget cuts have and will continue to
affect Grounds maintenance programs. The committee has been watching with concern planned reductions in sidewalk and pavement repairs, mowing, shrub, and mulching
maintenance cycles, as well as replacement tree planting. Additionally, a temporary hiring
freeze has left many grounds staff and management positions left unfilled - most notably the
recently vacated Landscape Superintendent position. In this time of fiscal cutbacks, the
committee is feeling increased pressure to use its Seward funds to support landscape projects, especially those which have no hope of being funded by other sources.
The drought: Adding to the blow of state financial cuts, central Virginia communities have been
monitoring steadily-declining rainfall totals over the last several years. With local reservoir
capacity hovering below 60 percent, the situation has hit full force at the University. All
planting , notably the project at Carr's Hill, is on indeterminate hold as is a ban on watering of
lawns, plants, and play fields.
Reduced demands for mowing in this drought have enabled Grounds crews to shift their efforts
to do nature's job of watering. With laudable ingenuity, Grounds crews have started collecting
waste condensate water generated by the University's buildings' mechanical chiller units
(reportedly up to a thousand gallons daily from some buildings) to water many trees and beds. The committee has been receiving monthly updates on the conditions of the Grounds from the
Landscape Superintendent's Office and hopes that the plant losses will be minimal come spring.
This "double whammy" of a drought and funding cutbacks to Grounds maintenance has
caused concern for many on the committee about the long-term sustainability of the grounds
and raised the ethical issue of adopting a long-term prudent stewardship of our water resources.
MAJOR PROJECTS REVIEWED
The Lawn: In January 2001, the committee approved a modification to the 1994 "100- Year
Lawn Tree Plan " which sought to unify the Lawn with a uniform planting of ash tree species
and cultivars only. The revised plan, presented by the Office of the Architect, called for
reintroducing maples (which have dwindled to only a handful) along with the ash trees. Members were divided on whether to throw out a plan that had been adopted less than ten
years ago, but were ultimately swayed by the argument that maples have historically been
present on the Lawn. Photos of the Lawn featuring the maple's blazing fall color that so many
enjoy tipped the scale in favor of change, and now several maples have been reinstated.
The University community suffered a dismaying loss of many of its largest heritage trees on the
Lawn over this last two years. In the summer of 2000, a major storm swept through the area,
heavily damaging many of the largest trees on the Lawn. That same year, the Committee faced
approving the removal of six declining ash and sugar maples, designated "hazards" by the
Landscape Superintendent's Office. Opposing 'camps' were established between those who
wished to preserve these heritage trees as long as possible and those who would felt the need
to eliminate these trees out of concerns for protecting the public and historic buildings. At an
impasse, a report was finally prepared by an outside professional tree arborist, giving hazardous
evaluations and tree care recommendations for the trees in question. In the end, five major ash
and sugar maple trees were removed in the winter of 2001 causing a sad and dramatic change
in the Lawn's appearance that will take many years to restore.
The debate over the fate of the Lawn trees forced the critical question over who - Facilities
Management or the Arboretum Committee - should have final authority in removing old and potentially hazardous trees. Officially charged with the right to oversee changes to the
landscape, the committee argued to maintain its role in the decision making. As the need to
clarify the decision making process was apparent, a review process for tree removals was drafted
between this committee and Facilities Management. The Landscape Superintendent is now
required to bring tree removal recommendations to the committee in a timely manner for
assessment. Additionally, the Landscape Superintendent now regularly apprizes the committee
on the health status of trees in a report at each meeting.
The committee has been pleased with the implementation of projects which are carrying out
the University Storm water Management Plan. Projects at O- Hill Dining, Emmet Street Parking
Garage, the Arena, and the Dell all incorporate innovative techniques for improving water
quality and better managing storm water. It has been especially exciting to see the ways in
which these projects are making visible and interpreting the ecologies of their sites to the public.
COMMITTEE- FUNDED DESIGN STUDIES AND PLANTING PROJECTS
In spring 2002, the Sub-Committee on Landscape Project Funding was re-instated to rank
landscape needs on the Grounds. From a list of nearly eighty projects developed by the Office
of the Architect, the sub- committee identified these priority landscape projects to fund. Many of
the priorities are for design studies, responded to the need to have plans in place to carry out
when funds became available.
-Priority 1: The Dell /Meadow Creek Day -lighting Study. (Design study $75,000)
-Priority 2: Landscape improvements to Clark Park and crosswalk improvements along University
Avenue at the Corner. ($15,000- 20,000)
-Priority 3: Brown College landscape study. (Design fees $10,000)
-Priority 4: Renovate the Lawn Courtyards at the Jefferson and Washington statues ( $10,000)
-Priority 5: Website and labeling system for memorial and landmark trees on Grounds ($5,000)
-Priority 6: Comprehensive, long -term archeological study of the historic Grounds ( $8,000)
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Committee Website: The Committee website was significantly expanded beyond its original
format using professional website design consultants who were hired to create new graphics
and operating systems. The site now gives general information about the committee and
memorial benches and trees. Work was begun on expanding the description of private and
officially designated memorial trees and will include photographs, horticultural and historical
data on the trees, and information about the donor/recipients.
Memorial and Founder's Day trees: The Committee was pleased to carry out its longstanding
role in nominating two recipients for Founder's Day trees. In April 2001, a 'Majesty' sugar maple
was planted in front of Pavilion II in honor of Architecture History professor Frederick Nichols for
his leadership in restoring the Rotunda for the Bicentennial. This is the first new sugar maple
planted on the Lawn in accordance with the newly modified 100- Year Tree Plan mentioned in
this report. As 2002 marked the 5Oth anniversary of the West Pavilion Gardens restoration by
the Garden Club of Virginia, the committee chose Alden Hopkins, the Landscape Architect for
the gardens to receive the nomination. Two dogwoods were planted at the top of the Garden
at Pavilion VIII in accordance with Hopkin's plans.
The committee approved the transfer of title of two Founder's Day trees. A dove tree planted at
Carr's Hill in 1997 honoring Landscape Architect Meade Palmer died, but fortunately we were
able to transfer the title to a second dove tree planted at Morea where Meade oversaw the
garden master plan. The long -leaf pine honoring the contributions of Guy Estes at the
Chemistry Building has not fared well. With the impending construction of MSENT Building on
this site, the committee voted to replace this pine on a location east of the Chem Engineering.
A number of private memorial trees and benches were donated. They include: Shumard Oak
and bench for Susan Woodward family at Gilmer Hall ; "Legacy' sugar maple and bench for T.
Braxton Woody east of Rotunda; bench for James Whalen at Culbreth; Alison Meloy memorial
bench at New Cabell Hall south terrace; a dogwood was planted for John Gary Lane at Pavilion
II and an amelanchier in honor of Robert Bott was added in Pavilion Garden VIII.
Blandy Farm Tour: We were very pleased to see the general upgrade in programs and facilities
at Blandy Farm. Most especially we enjoyed walking the completed Virginia native plant trail
which now reaches to Pea Hill. This year, the staff at Blandy agreed to a request to have small tree specimens raised in its nursery for eventual planting on the University Grounds. The
purpose of this arrangement is to be able to raise trees that are commercially unavailable or
limited in sizes to be planted out on the Grounds. In accordance with the terms drafted up in a
"Memorandum of Understanding" , sixteen trees will be planted in the nursery, most notably
some of the hard to find ash species designated for the Lawn.
THE COMMITTEE ROSTER
I am continually grateful for the dedication of the individuals on this committee. Last year we
noted with deep gratitude and sadness the stepping down of two important committee
members -- John Pfaltz of Computer Sciences and Wally Reed from the Department of
Environmental Sciences. Their combined decades-long service went beyond just attending the
monthly meetings. They actively advocated for the sake of the landscape and contributed to
the highest level on the committee. Linda Hosticka of Biomedical ; Jim Savage, Government and
student reps Ann O'Hara Wilkiemeyer, Architecture and Elizabeth Moriarty, College will also step
down. We also regretted the departure of several longstanding and important staff members
who have been connected to this committee -- Jeff Ertel, Landscape Superintendent and Murray
Howard, Architect for the Academical Village, both of whom have made important and long
lasting contributions and served as important liaisons between our committee and Facilities
Management. The presence of all these members will be sorely missed.
Respectfully submitted ,
Nancy Takahashi
Chair
October 2002
List of 2000-2002 TREE REMOVALS
The Committee approved removal of the following trees:
-Ash tree at Pavilion VI
-Sugar maple at Pavilion VIII
-Ash at Pavilion V/VII
- Oak at Miller Center
- Pin oak at Gilmer Hall
- 36 mixed woodland trees at NRAO Building
- Boxwoods at University Avenue crosswalks
- oak at Clark Hall
- 21 mixed woodland trees in Darden school woodlands
-two red maples at the Aquatics and Fitness Center
-crape myrtles at Peabody Hall
-3 ash trees at Whitehead Road
-pecan tree in Pavilion Garden II
-cedar tree at Zehmer Hall
-Crab apple at University Garden Apartments
-Locust tree Bonnycastle Drive
-oak at Dunnington Dorm
-maple in Pavilion Garden VI
-red maple in cemetery
-maple along Rotunda west walk
-holly at Carr's Hill
-maple on Lawn at Jefferson statue
-oak at Courtney Dormitory
-ash at Colonnade Alley/Pavilion IX
-boxwoods at Hotel A
-Ash on Rugby Road at Fayerweather Hall
-locust at Washington Hall
-Osmanthus at Culbreth Theatre
-elms at Dawson's Row
-tree removals for Baseball stadium
-crape myrtles at New Cabell Hall
-2 silver maples at Tennis courts
-beech tree at McCormick Road dorms
-magnolia at Page/Emmet Dorms
-2 oaks at Fitzhugh/Tuttle Dorms
-2 red maples and locust trees at Kent Dorm
-8 hemlocks, and 2 pines, 8 sycamores, and 1 weeping cherry removals at Clark Park
-3 japanese cherry trees, sycamore, saucer magnolia at French House
-red maple at Lambeth Dorms
-2 oaks at Fluid Research Building O-Hill
-white pine baseball stadium
-white oak and red maple on Venable Lane
-white pine behind Hancock Dorm
-6 or more trees along O-Hill Road
-2 catalpas at Halsey Hall
-Sophora and beech tree at Chem Engineering Building
-forsythia and one zelkova tree at E-1 lot
-Holly, maple and azaleas at Blake Center
-Cherry and Crab apple trees at Campbell Hall
-sycamore on Hancock Dirive
-white oak in Foster cemetery on JPA
-Locust at Pavilion III
- ash at Dawsons Row
PROJECTS REVIEWED BY THE COMMITTEE (fall 2000 through summer 2001)
-Recycling Center at Slaughter Recreation Center
-Pavilion V: steps and plantings
-Susan Woodward memorial bench and tree
-Gilmer Hall detention basin study and plantings
-Brown College Dogwoods
-Carruther's Hall, Michie Building parking lots
-Blandy Farm highway entrance
-Garrett Hall Precinct Plan
-Athletic field renovations at Madison Bowl
-McGuffey ash tree wood
-Whitehead Road Curb improvements and walks
-Lambeth Field renovations
-NRAO Landscape Plan
-Gilmer Hall Northside garden improvements
-T Braxton Woody bench and tree
-West Main Street Entrance corridor
-Arts Precinct Landscape Master Plan
-Fayerweather West Garden
-Multi-story Building Entry Court
-Aquatics and Fitness Center Addition
-Clark Hall Addition
-Jefferson Park Avenue Circulation Study
-Monroe Hall plaza: post and chain barrier
-Darden School : Stream channel stabilization project
-Lawn: 100- year tree plan for the Lawn
-Peabody Hall south plantings
-University statue maintenance
-Colonnade Club Alley entry and parking lot
-Whalen Memorial Bench
-Hazardous tree removal Policy and procedures(march 2001
-Mumford Gwathmey Landscape Plan
-McCormick Road Dormitories Landscape Plan
-Stadium parking lots bus pull-offs
-Utility projects at McCormick Road Dormitories and West Rotunda
-West Scott Stadium Parking Lot
-Carr's Hill Landscape Master Plan
-University Master Plan
-University Bench Policy
-Outdoor Recycling Container Prototypes
-Alderman Library Duct Bank Project
-Committee website development
-Dell restoration of Meadow Creek
-Baseball Stadium
-New Cabell Hall northwest entry
-tree protection measures
PROJECTS REVIEWED BY THE COMMITTEE (fall 2001 through summer 2002)
-Alison Meloy memorial bench
-McCormick Road Dorm Landscape Improvements/ phase III
-West Main Street Entry Corridor
-Observatory Hill Dining Hall replacement
-Lane Road Utility Project
-Pavilion Garden III Restoration
-Halsey Hall/ Dawsons Row Utility and Landscape Plan
-Material Science and Nano-technology (MSENT) landscape plan
-MR- 6 Building landscape plan
-boxwood plantings around Grounds
-E-1 parking lot steps and plantings
-Private Clinics accessible ramp
-John Gary Lane memorial tree
- Robert Bott memorial tree
-Emmet Street Parking Garage Landscape Plan
-Hope Garden at Pavilion IX
-Blake Center temporary trailers
-Art Museum Sculpture Space
-Campbell Hall South Addition and Landscape Plan
-Ruffner Hall Lot Landscape and Parking plan
-Meade Palmer memorial tree transfer.
-Basketball Arena landscape plan
-Blandy Nursery tree agreement
SEWARD FUND APPROPRIATIONS The following allocations, totaling $156,150, were
made:
Planting Design study for Gilmer Detention Basin $5,000
Plant installation at Gilmer Detention Basin $15,000
Plant dogwoods at Brown College $2,500
Gilmer Hall northside garden $16,000
post and chain barrier Monroe Plaza $1,800
Dell topographic and physical survey $7,600
GPS survey to locate memorial trees $2,000
purchase and installation of English boxwoods $ 22,000
Clark Park- design and Phase I improvements $20,000
McCormick Road Dorm plantings Phase III $11,250
Construction drawings for two crosswalk improvements at University Avenue at Brooks
Hall lawn
$20,000
Design study for landscape improvements to brown College east entrance
$10,000
design and Renovation of plantings, lighting, and paving at Washington and Jefferson
statues on the Lawn.
$10,000
Committee web site development and tree labeling for memorial and landmark trees
$5,000
Fund long term comprehensive archeological survey of historic Grounds
$8,000
In addition, the committee pledged the following financial support to these future
projects:
-Future allocation to fund additional site amenities for Meadow Creek day-lighting
project at the Dell ($75,000)
- Madison Bowl improvements along Madison Lane
($30,000)
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