Auburn University earns seventh consecutive Tree Campus USA designation

Auburn University has earned the Tree Campus USA designation from the Arbor Day Foundation for the seventh consecutive year for promoting healthy trees and engaging staff and students in conservation efforts.

More than 8,000 trees are located on the 601 acres of Auburn's campus and the count continues to grow. In 2015, 202 new trees were planted on campus. The trees are managed by Landscape Services, the Athletics Department, the Department of University Housing and others.

The university has supported the Arbor Day Foundation's five core values by establishing a tree advisory committee, creating a campus tree-care plan, dedicating an annual budget for tree care, establishing an Arbor Day observance and sponsoring student service-learning projects.

"Having been recognized as a Tree Campus USA in 2009 and recertified every year since is a true honor and reflects Auburn University's commitment to the care and preservation of one of our greatest resources," said Gary Keever, professor of horticulture and a Facilities Management landscape consultant. "However, this is not a time to rest on our laurels. We must continue to work toward reduced risk from our trees, greater canopy cover and improved tree protection and health."

"There are many campuses I admire in the way of trees that do not have the recognition of a Tree Campus USA," said Alex Hedgepath, who was recently named Auburn's first university arborist in the Facilities Management Landscape Services Department. "This award is a testimony to the commitment Auburn has to maintaining and growing an excellent tree program. I am proud to be a part of it."

Tree Campus USA is an Arbor Day Foundation program sponsored in partnership with Toyota. To find out more about the Tree Campus USA program, go to http://www.arborday.org/programs/treecampususa/.