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East Tennessee State University Arboretum Newsletter Volume
1, Issue 3 Aboretum Certified! In March 2002, the ETSU Arboretum applied for certification by the State of Tennessee. We requested the highest level of certification (Level IV), a standard that requires self-guided walking tours, newsletters issued at least twice per year, and a minimum of 120 species of trees with identification signs. On June 14th, the Arboretum was site-visited by a team of six that included two professional arborists, two representatives of garden clubs, the regional forsester, Mr. Tom Simpson, and the head of the state certification program, Ms. Kay Fermann. The certification team examined more than 125 species in the Arboretum, offered suggestions for potential additions to consider and commented on large specimen trees that need careful attention. The Arboretum received notification of Level IV certification in July. A placard to this efect is being prepared for installation at Borchuck plaza in front of Sherrod Library.
Grant Funding: Our Chlorophyll Past—A 2002-2002 grant of $10,000 from the tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry helped launch the Arboretum. We purchased and planted over 70 new trees, installed sturday and informative signs on over 200 trees, disseminated two self-guided walking tour borchures and two newsletters, and sponsored an opening day celebration on Arbor Day that included a tree giveaway. A $1000 grant from the Shady Oaks Garden Club also supported borchure production. Many personal donations were used to purchase trees. Current—The Arboretum was granted the full funding request of $18,800 in a 2002-2003 Urban Forestry grant from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Forestry Division and USDA. These funds will be used to develop more public education activities including a speaker series, CD audio tours of the Arboretum, trips to regional gardens and nurseries, outreach to K-12 schools, and another Arbor Day celebration. A new Arboretum intern, Ms. Susan Antkiewicz, will coordinate these activities. Future—We expect to receive notification in the fall concerning two submitted proposals: one to enhance our speaker series and audio tours, the other to purchase plant material to develop an eastern Asia/eastern North America theme. |
| Upcoming Activities September 12th, 7:00 PM, MeadowView Conference Center, Seminar: “Dogwoods for Tennessee Gardens,” Dr. Stephen Garton (UT Extension Nursery Specialist) and Dr. Mark Windham (UT Plant Pathologist)
September 14th, Road Trip to North Carolina Arboretum and Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Center, Asheville
September 26th 7:00 PM, Sycamore Shoals State Park Auditorium, Seminar: “Bonsai: artistic Expression Through Horticulture,” Dr. Warren Hill
September 28th, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Sycamore Shoals Park, Bonsai Workshop: “Creating a Hinoki Cypress Forest,” Dr. Warren Hill
October 19th, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Unicoi County and Carter County Nurseries Tour
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