By Sara Sparling —
Continuing the Secret Life of Trees Series within the Underground Academy, Professor Janelle Allen recently returned to the spotlight this month to highlight the seven special types of trees on Miami’s Hamilton campus. Audience members gathered on Zoom, as well as in the Gardner-Harvey Library at Miami Middletown. While viewers did not gather directly at the Hamilton campus, she hoped that through pictures, and a virtual tour, audience members would be able to identify the trees on campus and be the voice for them, and hopefully they would be just as special to them as well.
Professor Allen started out by reminding the audience how important trees are to our ecosystem. They create an underground network with other trees, shrubs, and fungi. When deciduous trees drop their leaves, they’re releasing nutrients that can then be composed into soil for other plants to absorb. The best thing to do when leaves drop is to leave them. Most want to rake them or throw them away, but it’s better to leave them in place or use a mulching lawnmower that will start the decomposition process in the soil. The important thing to consider is maintaining biodiversity.
Of course, trees have been around for millions of years and are considered some of the longest living organisms on Earth. Most adult trees can live between 100 and 150 years. Therefore, if someone plants a tree in his or her lifetime, it is very unlikely it will be seen by them in its mature form. Professor Allen mentioned that one interesting aspect about the Hamilton trees is that some of them have been around for quite some time. She mentioned the healing and comforting properties of trees, and how important it is that we see them every day. An example she shared was those who are home-bound and recovering from a surgical procedure; they tend to recover much faster and more easily when they can see trees out their window or on a screen. The concept of “forest bathing” was also described, where one goes into a forest and takes a mental and physical break by standing in the middle of a forest. Why? To really smell the air and water vapor, touch the trees and ground, and just breathe. It can do wonders for a person’s general health and well-being.
Trees also help protect against climate change and fluctuations, aid in water and air quality, reduce energy costs, help block noise, and increase property value. When deciding which trees to plant, it is important to make sure to choose ones that are appropriate for the given climate, and to also be considerate to neighbors. If a tree has a large number of small leaves or an abundance of pollen in the spring and summer, it may not be a suitable option. Through photosynthesis, trees absorb significant amounts of carbon dioxide, and then release oxygen. They can also provide food such as berries and fruit, as well as habitats for animals and bugs.
The first tree Professor Allen talked about was the Ginkgo biloba, which can be seen from the faculty parking lot. This species first appeared nearly 300 million years ago and is very beneficial. They’re often found in newly developed areas or along roadsides to help purify air. They come from Southeastern Asia and can grow between fifty and eighty feet tall. It’s sometimes referred to as the Maidenhair Tree because the leaves closely resemble a Maidenhair Fern. Professor Allen said the female trees produce leaves that “smell like rotten butter due to the butyric acid.”
When one is facing the Conservatory, Ohio’s designated fruit tree, the Paw Paw, can be seen on the left side in between Mosler Hall and the Conservatory. Most people don’t believe trees in the East can produce flavorful fruit. Professor Allen said she’s been to festivals and has tried the fruit and strongly recommends others try it as well. She described this tree as her “happy little Bob Ross tree.” When these are found in landscapes, they’re usually in clusters because of their ability to propagate colonially through roots.
Another local species, silver maples often get confused with sugar maples. Professor Allen wanted to feature this species because she likes the shimmery look of the leaves, especially when it rains, because it gives off a silvery flash. The leaves are fairly short, growing only to about six inches. In the spring, the trees grow green-yellow flowers that can sometimes result in fruit if produced by a female tree.
In the back of the Conservatory is the American Hazelnut. It originates from Eastern North America and can grow eight to fifteen feet tall. The tree produces separate male and female flowers between March and April. In late August through September, edible nuts are produced. This tree produces catkins: tight leaf clusters that rely on the wind to be carried to produce more trees.
The Japanese Pagoda originates from China and Korea. It’s commonly used in teas and medicines and can often be found in newly developed areas. It blooms small white, fragrant flowers in late summer. If someone is looking for a more fragrant tree, Professor Allen said this would be a really good option. A fun fact is this tree was historically revered by Japanese Buddhists and planted around temples around the country. This is where the relationship with Japan comes from.
One of Professor Allen’s very favorite trees is the Sweetgum. She recalled planting these at her parents’ and her grandparents’ houses when she was young. It originates in the Eastern United States and Mexico. This tree can grow sixty to eighty feet tall, and can mature quite quickly. When Prof. Allen was young, these trees were sent home to be planted, which was definitely different from crabapples and Bradford pears—ones that are used often that are extremely invasive and not good for landscapes or ecosystems. Historically, Sweetgum sap was used in chewing gum by Native Americans.
The Norway Spruce grows all around Europe and is very hardy. There are some on campus, at the edge of the parking lot and surrounding forests, and they are quite tall. The height can vary depending on the climate they’re planted in. As a conifer tree, it does produce needles and they attach in a spiral pattern on branches, as well as cones.
There is significant discussion lately about threatened and endangered species, which includes trees, and it’s very possible for various species of trees to go extinct. Professor Allen stressed how crucial it is for more people to understand their importance, and why trying to conserve threatened species is worthwhile. We also hear often about significant floods in the United States. One explanation for this is because trees have been taken out and erosion control has been lost. Professor Allen hopes through using our knowledge of trees, we can help protect our environment and those around us.
At this point in her presentation, Professor Allen transitioned to the virtual tour of the campus where these trees can be seen. In total, there are about twenty-five different kinds. The virtual tour of campus was created in 2022 by an Applied Biology student. There is also an in-person tree walk with signage and information about each tree. She encouraged audience members to continue planting trees to provide a more welcoming and sustainable environment.
Please join Professor Allen next month via Zoom or at the Gardner-Harvey Library for her final installment of “The Secret Life of Trees” on December 5th, which will feature the Oxford campus.