Nature lovers need to go no further than the canopied campus of SUNY New Paltz to enjoy a rich variety of tree canopies, trunks, branches and blossoms getting ready to burst. There is a 1.5-mile self-guided tree walk through the campus that includes 25 native species of trees, all labeled on a map with their location, scientific names, a description of the tree’s bark or leaves, blossoms, needles and historical uses.
While the campus is home to hundreds of trees, some that stand alone, others that are in groves, a number of ornamental trees and the more forested trees in the southern woodlands of the SUNY grounds—these 25 species were selected to be part of the tour because they’re indigenous to the region. These include Sugar Maples and Silver Maples, Tulip Trees, Hemlocks, Eastern Red Cedar trees, White Pines, Red Oaks and massive Sycamore trees.
According to Eric Keeling, a Professor of Biology at New Paltz as well as the Chair of the SUNY NP Tree Committee that helped create and design the Tree Walk, the idea came from local naturalist, activist and farmer, Dan Guenther. “He was a real visionary and made this presentation to us and we set to work right away, getting students involved and members of the faculty and the community to get this project started.”
While there are tours where the public are invited, usually one in the Spring and one in the Fall, the Tree Walk is set up so that residents and visitors alike can grab a brochure, created by Carmen Calderone or follow one online and go at their own pace. There is even a shorter, ease-of-access route that does not include any stairs. For Keeling and members of the Tree Committee this walk is not only a way to showcase native trees and the campus itself, but also “a great way to engage with your environment,” he said. “We all need to put down our phones and appreciate another species. This is an easy way to do it. Trees don’t’ runaway, they do not require binoculars and they’re everywhere.” Keeling noted that trees are an easy subject for nature study skills.
“These trees were picked to represent the range of native trees that would be useful to be able to identify out in the woods in our region,” he said. To that end the first tree on the walk is a Red Maple located in the Old Main Quad off of Plattekill Avenue in the Village of New Paltz. Already the Red Maples are beginning to show the first signs of spring color with their red buds bursting before the other trees have leafed out. While it’s not officially on the list, there is a large Magnolia Tree that stands just outside the front doors of Old Main Building with its buds just beginning to unfurl. “One of the great things about going on the tree walk in the spring is that you’ll also see spectacular flowering trees along the path,” noted Keeling. One flowering tree that made the list is #18— Sweet Cherry Tree that’s near the Southwest entrance to campus.
The Old Main Quad also has a large Tulip Tree near the Old Library as well as Silver, Sugar and Norway Maples. From there the walk moves towards the Samuel Dorsky Museum and the Student Union building where there is a Sour Gum tree, cultivated as an ornamental tree but used as a shade tree. There is also a Hemlock tree with pine cones and a Grey Birch that has smooth, greyish-white bark with multiple trunks. From there, tree-enthusiasts can walk alongside the stream where there are a series of magnificent Sycamore Trees (Platanus occidentalis). They have massive trunks with distinctive, mottled bark flakes that leave green, grey, pale yellow and milky white spots beneath.
While they are not on the list, the campus pond has several Weeping Willows around it as well as Black Walnut trees with rich dark wood used to create stains. There is a small, but interesting Shagbark Hickory tree, #14, near the Children’s Center, that was somewhat challenging to find. It’s shaggy, peeling bark is edible and according to the tree committee “sweet tasting,” and was used for smoking. There is also a rare, American Elm, #15 that somehow escaped the Dutch Elm disease that wiped out most of the species throughout North America.
As the walk wraps around the campus, there are three, stunning Eastern Red Cedar trees just outside of Lenape Hall. The bark is a reddish-brown, fibrous and peels off in narrow strips. The needles are flat and the canopy is broad. Keeling points to trees #20 and #21 which border the outdoor college track and turf field. “There is a White Pine and a Pine Oak with a view of the Shawangunk mountains that is stunning. The White Pine has soft needles that are bundled in groups of five. This was known as “The Tree of Peace,” for the Haudenosaunee Nation according to the information provided by the tree committee.
One of the last trees, is also one of the largest trees on campus—a Chestnut Oak that appears to be split in two. It sits right at the edge of the Athletic Center and has broad, wavey leaves that will begin to create a large shade-canopy. “When I think of the Shawangunks, I think of Chestnut Oaks and Pitch Pines,” said Keeling. “The Chestnut Oaks are a species that the Mohonk Preserve pays close attention to in terms of conservation because they’re unique and are a signature tree of the Gunks.” These are rugged trees that enjoy rocky soil and ridgetops.
The tree committee encourages people who take the walk to stop at each tree and spend time observing the entire canopy, trunk and to study the leaves, their shapes, sizes and textures. “Look for flowers or cones and notice their intricate structures,” said Keeling. “You may see fruit, on the branches or the ground, in the form of a nut, husk, berry or seed-pod.” Trees are a full sensory experience, especially when pausing to listen for the sounds of insects, birds, or squirrels and other animals that find sanctuary amongst these wooded species. While each tree is unique, together they absorb 1/5th of our annual carbon emissions—a natural ecosystem service that helps to mitigate global climate change. They also bring flowers in the spring, shade in the summer and vibrant colors in the fall. For more information on the Tree Committee, the Tree Walk go to https://www.newpaltz.edu/media/sustainability-import/240419%20Campus%20Tree%20Map%20UPDATED.pdf or email Professor Keeling at keelinge@newpaltz.edu.
The campus tree walk was planned by the SUNY New Paltz Tree Committee during 2018–2022. The route and map were initially designed by student members on the committee, Ryan Usai (Biology) and William Reilly (Geography). Funds for the project have been provided by the Office of Campus Sustainability.
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