Campus Maps
OSU Arboretum Map
OSU Facilities Management Landscape Services has played a pivotal role in enhancing our campus environment by developing comprehensive maps that showcase the integration of gardens, art installations, sustainability initiatives, and the campus arboretum. Through planning and collaboration, these maps serve as invaluable guides for both visitors and the campus community. They not only highlight the beauty of our gardens and the significance of our art installations but also provide essential information about sustainable practices and the diverse flora within our arboretum.
Landscape Services Maps
1. Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera)
Also known as Bois D’arc or hedge apple, this tree is native to Oklahoma and Texas but has been distributed widely in recent decades. The Osage Orange is the subject of many regional and historic narratives. Like how the wood was historically used to create hunting bows, and how pioneering farmers would plant them has hedge rows. This specimen certainly has historic significance as it predates statehood and the college itself. Look closely and you’ll notice arboriculture practices from bygone eras. Notice the cement placed in one of the pruning cuts? It was once believed that this practice aided the tree in compartmentalizing damage, but now this practice and ones like it are known to be obsolete. Look even farther up and you may see the cabling system which was installed roughly 10 years ago. This cabling system helps to prevent the tree from splitting.
2. Sugarberry (Celtis laevigata)
This Oklahoma native has high tolerance to urban conditions but is often overlooked and underused in the landscape. There aren’t very many on campus, but this lovely specimen sits just to the east of historic Old Central. They offer great value to wildlife, with their edible fruit that ripens in the fall. Arguably, the most interesting characteristic of this tree is the bark. A silvery-gray with a very distinctive ‘warty’ texture makes this tree easily identifiable. However, it can be confused with a very similar and closely related species, Hackberry (C. occidentalis). Can you find the other Sugarberry on campus, located at Theta Pond?
3. Red Pointe® Red Maple (Acer rubrum 'Frank Jr.')
This tree’s claim to fame is its beyond vibrant red fall color. In fact, it was specifically bread for this characteristic and can be found in the nursery trade. This specimen was planted in the spring of 2023 during the annual Arbor Day celebration and ceremonial tree planting. However, it was planted as an honorary 2020 Arbor Day tree, because the tree planting that year was canceled due to COVID 19.
4. Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
Top 10 most dominant species on campus
Southern Magnolia is a native species to North America, including southeast Oklahoma. This is the only evergreen in the Magnolia family, as it retains its large glossy leaves year-round. Large white, fragrant flowers bloom in the summer, which makes the tree extremely attractive. When allowed to grow in its natural form, branches will extend all the way to the ground, as you see in this beautiful specimen. This species is in the top 10 most dominant species on campus having been heavily planted in the 1940’s. It’s rumored we have President Henry G. Bennett to thank for our Southern Magnolia population. He was president of the University from 1928-1951 and is credited with implementing the first campus-wide building and beautification plan.
5. Slender Silhouette Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Slender Silhouette’)
It can be challenging to plant trees alongside buildings. Because of its columnar shape, this cultivar of the native sweetgum helps alleviate some of those challenges. You’ll notice them planted in many places across campus and a formal accent tree, complementing the height of buildings and allowing us to grow our campus canopy even in tight spaces. Other specimens can be found at the Greenwood School of Music, CEAT Endeavor Lab, the Colvin Center, O’Brate Stadium coaches entrance, Neal Patterson Soccer Stadium, the CVM Academic Center, and several other places on campus. These particular specimens took considerable damage during the October 2020 ice storm, but with proper pruning techniques and the tree’s own resiliency, you can hardly tell.
6. Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia)
Top 10 most dominant species on campus
Also known as the Lacebark Elm, this tree is native to China, Korea, and Japan but is well-suited for our urban Oklahoma environment. The lovely multi-colored, exfoliating bark provides year-round visual interest and has made this an extremely common ornamental tree. It’s tolerant to pollutants, salt, and the devastating Dutch elm disease. But, the wood can break easily in ice and wind and it can easily become weedy by self-seeding. Many of the Chinese Elm specimens found on campus, especially of a large size like this one, were donated to us decades ago from Carl Whitcomb of Lacebark Inc. He’s a retired professor and well-known plant breeder in the Stillwater area.
7. Taylor Juniper (Juniperus virginiana 'Taylor')
A special-bread cultivar of our native Eastern Red Cedar (J. virginiana), this tree also offers planting solutions for tight spaces. It has an incredibly upright and tight form, allowing us to plant as close as three feet from a building. This tree also allows for a very formal aesthetic, as can be seen here outside of the student union, as well as outside of Whitehurst, General Academic Building, and Engineering South, among other campus buildings.
8. Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)
Native to North America, this tree is mostly found east of the Mississippi River where it can grow over 90’ tall. While they won’t likely get that tall here, they are still lovely landscape statement pieces with their showy, tulip shaped flowers and vibrant yellow fall color. Another notable characteristic is it’s uniquely shaped four-lobed leaf. They are rare on campus, with a total population of nine. Four of which can be found here along the north side of Classroom Building. Can you find the other five, somewhere near the Nancy Randolf Davis sculpture.
9. Pin Oak (Quercus palustris)
In the Red Oak family, this species is native to the northeast and northcentral United States, extending into Canada. The epithet Palustirs is derived from the Latin word palus, which means swamp or marsh, referring to its native habitat. While they can sometimes struggle on campus because they typically prefer more acidic soil than we have, they are still plentiful and provide much shade and canopy cover. This Pin Oak is located in the Orange Grove, interactive art garden.
10. Shumard Oak (Quercus sumardii)
Top 10 most dominant species on campus
Shumard Oak is native to North America and is a popular tree in the urban forest as it is tolerant to urban conditions like air pollution, dry soil, and drought. The mature, open and rounded crowns provide abundant shade and allow for beautiful understory gardens, much like the one under this tree. This is the Pete’s Pet Posse Garden.
11. Butterflies Magnolia (Magnolia ‘Butterflies’)
This deciduous hybrid magnolia is the product of a cross between acuminata 'Fertile Myrtle' and M. denudata 'Sawada's Cream'. The most notable characteristic of this tree is its dramatic flowers. While they only bloom for about one week in the early spring, the large, almost canary yellow, somewhat tulip-shaped, aromatic flowers make the landscape pop. These specimens were planted to accentuate the Nancy Randolf Davis sculpture. Another allee type planting can be found in the Price Garden, leading into the Atherton.
12. Buckley Oak (Quercus buckleyi)
Native to the southern grate planes of North America, including parts of Oklahoma, this tree is closely related to the Shumard Oak but is more tolerant to the drought and heat that can be experienced on the planes. It can be told apart from its red oak relatives by its smaller leaf, acorns, and mature stature. It’s overall smaller. This specimen was planted as a replacement for an American Elm that was lost to lighting and general decline in 2020. Can you find another Buckley Oak on campus? Start looking near Bennett Chapple.
13. Survivor Elm (Ulmus americana)
The Survivor Tree - Dedicated on April 19, 2000 - In remembrance of the victims and survivors of the Oklahoma City Bombing. This Elm is a seedling of the 'Survivor Tree' that survived the Alfred P, Murrah building bombing on April 19, 1995. - This tree is a gift to Oklahoma State University on behalf of the College of Education and the COE Alumni Association - In Memory Of: Doris Adele Higginbottom
14. Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)
Top 10 most dominant species on campus
This tree is native to North America, including southeast Oklahoma, and is often found in swampy-bottom land. However, it’s incredibly resilient and can grow in a variety of soil and light conditions. This species is unique for several reasons. Whereas most coniferous trees are evergreen, this one will go ‘bald’ or lose its needles during the winter months. Another unique characteristic are the knobby roots sometimes called ‘knees’ that usually occur when this tree grows near or in waterlogged conditions. You’ll notice many of these ‘knee roots’ here at Theta Pond. This species is one of the longest-lived tree species in the world and these individuals will continue to serve the Cowboy Family for generations to come.
15. Burr Oak (Quercus macrocrpa)
Top 10 most dominant species on campus
This tree in the white oak family is native to the central plains and grate lakes regions of North America and is tolerant of many environmental conditions. One of its most notable characteristics is that of its namesake, large ‘burr’ like acorn. It’s this large acorn that’s made it fall out of favor for new plantings in recent years. It seems many people find the large acorns to be a maintenance issue. But the Cowboy Family still loves this tree! You can find it many places on campus, especially as a street-lined tree, like Monroe and Farm streets framing the original Agricultural Hall building. But one of the most iconic specimens on campus is here at Theta Pond.