These days, the Oval has fewer trees than in the past. But if the Arboretum Committee has its way, the heart of campus may have more greenery. (Eric Oravsky/Montana Kaimin)

University to restore circle of sentries: Gardeners hope to replace long-lost trees around Oval

by Justin Franz and Jessica Stugelmayer | February 17, 2010 | Montana Kaimin

Things could get a little greener this year at the University of Montana with the restoration of a circle of trees around the Oval.

Early in the University’s history, trees encompassed the Oval. But over the years, they fell victim to an invasive disease that forced the University to cut them down. Since then, it has been the hope of some on campus — including the Arboretum Committee — that the original appearance of the campus hallmark could be restored, according to Perry Brown, dean and director of the College of Forestry and Conservation.

It would be an important addition to the campus, according to UM student and an assistant gardener Chris Freistadt.

“It is important for education and the preservation of the species … and since the Forestry school is one of the best in the nation, they’ll need a diverse collection of species available,” Freistadt said, adding that the campus is also the state’s official arboretum.

Freistadt’s boss, UC garden supervisor Kelly Chadwick, agreed that the Oval could be an even greater asset to the campus.

“The Oval is one place I think should be planted and protected,” Chadwick said.

While there has always been a plan to restore the circle of trees, it really took off with the recent construction of the Native American Center. Along with the new building, the university was able to finance the planting of seven trees on the southwest corner of the Oval, according to Brown.

Once the trees were planted on the southwest corner, seven more were placed on the northwest side of the Oval. Now, Brown said, the committee is hoping for more money from the school to plant trees on the east side of the Oval. Brown said the hope is to plant these as soon as possible so that all the trees will grow at approximately the same rate.

“It is going to take them a long time to get big, but they’ll also be there for a long time,” Brown said. It could take about two decades for the trees to grow to the same size as some of the others on campus, but it will take more than a century for them to be fully grown.

Brown said each tree would cost about $200. There is the additional price of labor, but Brown hopes that some people will donate their time to help out.
Adding to the cost will be maintaining the tree in the early stages of its life, including protecting the trunk from water damage, deer and people.

“All trees demand maintenance, so you have to keep after it,” Brown said.

Brown hopes to have all the trees in the inner circle planted by spring 2011. Chadwick also said she hopes to plant within the year to keep trees around the same height and their formal look. The species will be a mix of sugar maple on the inside of the Oval and a mix of burr and red oak alternating on the outside. All of this will result in some stunning foliage come autumn, Chadwick said.
“I think you’ll see some vibrant colors,” Brown said.

Those vibrant colors could become a reality if fundraising by the Arboretum Committee is successful this semester.

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