CSU, Chico News

There are three remaining arboretum tours this fall on the California State University, Chico campus. The tours, led by biologist Wes Dempsey, professor emeritus, and grounds manager Bob Miles, take about an hour and provide information on the history of the various trees on campus, as well as on their botanical characteristics.

The third in the fall series of tours will take place tomorrow, Oct. 30, at 11 a.m. for an hour. Participants for the tours meet in front of Kendall Hall, the university administration building.

The last two tours of the season will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 13 and Wednesday, Dec. 4. Typically, a single tree tour covers 20 to 30 different species out of the more than 200 located on campus. Highlights of the tours follow:

Chestnuts and Horse Chestnuts Oct. 30
The chestnut and horse chestnut trees on campus are producing nuts now. Several American chestnuts that were planted by the Bidwells in 1870 grow just north of Chico Creek, along Sowilleno Avenue. Nearby, along the Campus Nature Trail, are several offspring of these trees. General Bidwell relates in his diary that he and Annie harvested the first crop from the chestnuts in 1880.

Fall Color Nov. 13
Some of the striking fall color displays that will be showing on campus will be featured. Among the most colorful are the tulip tree, the sweet gum, the Chinese pistache, and several maples and oaks.

Redwoods Dec. 4
In addition to the commonly planted coastal redwood, the campus has fine specimens of dawn redwood and Sierra redwood. Tour participants will also see the bald cypress, which is related to the redwoods and also has red-colored wood.

Guides Dempsey and Miles also offer information about selecting tree species for yards and caring for them in this area as part of the tour. For further information call 342-2293 or 898-6222.

###

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 29th, 2002 at 10:53 am and is filed under 2002 Fall.