Campus Trees
Roanoke College’s campus consistently ranks as one of the most beautiful in the country. Its beauty derives not only from its architecture and its people but also from its greenery — which includes some 1,000 trees of at least 77 different species.
Tree Campus USA
Roanoke was proud to be honored by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree Campus USA during the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. The recognition celebrated higher ed institutions for supporting healthy trees and engaging their campus communities to promote the spirit of conservation. Roanoke’s pursuit of the title was a student-led initiative organized by environmental studies majors who formed a tree advisory committee and collaborated with the Virginia Department of Forestry. Learn more.
History & Highlights
The history of our campus tree collection is a long one. Roanoke College’s founder and first president, Rev. David F. Bittle, personally curated and even transplanted trees for use on our original campus. That noble tradition of investing in our natural resources continues today with benefactors who’ve helped grow our tree canopy and add features celebrating our college’s legacy of environmental stewardship.
Tree of 40 Fruit
Blossoming outside Olin Hall Galleries, this tree is part botany and part artwork. Conceived of by artist Sam Van Aken, it is a complex, fruit tree grafting that at full strength will grow over 40 varieties of stone fruit and bloom in extraordinary hues of pink and crimson. The tree, planted during Roanoke’s 175th anniversary celebration, continues to be sculpted with regular annual visits from Van Aken to complete its transformation. Learn more.
Rooney Topiary
This living, growing — and somewhat imposing — incarnation of Roanoke’s mascot stands watch over campus near Kerr Stadium field. The 14-foot-tall topiary is a living symbol of the Maroon spirit. Made possible by generous donors in 2017, it was designed by Massachusetts-based artist Matt Larkin and later updated to feature a Nellie Stevens Holly tree at its center. Learn more.
Champion Dutch Elm
Measuring about 94 feet tall and about 21 feet wide, this mighty elm outside Fintel Library is one of the most venerated and celebrated trees at Roanoke. Believed to be over 200 years old, it predates the bustling campus that has sprung up around it. For years now, it's carried the title of Virginia’s Champion Dutch Elm, a crown given to the largest known tree of every species in the commonwealth. Learn more.
Presidential Trees
Roanoke’s deeply held commitment to environmental stewardship has spanned generations — a legacy symbolically represented by the Presidential Trees. This growing collection cultivated on the picturesque Front Quad is designed to honor each of the 12 presidents who’ve led the campus and contributed to its care. The plantings, each marked by a plaque, include Tulip Poplar, American Beech and Hickory trees.
Tree Tour
To better share its natural history with the community, Roanoke launched a digital tree tour that allows visitors to learn more about its most prominent and interesting trees with just the click of a button. More than 50 trees across campus are now outfitted with QR code tags that can be scanned with a smartphone to instantly access more information about that tree. The tagging project was undertaken to welcome more nature lovers to campus, highlight the importance of Roanoke’s tree collection and support future research and education initiatives.
In the Spotlight
Presidential Roots
On Oct. 27, 2023, Roanoke College President Frank Shushok Jr. continued the tradition of contributing to the Presidential Trees collection by planting a Sugar Maple on the day of his inauguration. Personally chosen by President Shushok, a Sugar Maple is as a symbol of strength, endurance and protection. Learn more.
QR Coded Campus
Point, click, discover. For the first time ever, nature lovers can dive in and learn more about Roanoke’s diverse tree canopy using nothing but their smartphones. The college has launched an innovative new digital tour with a mission to celebrate our natural resources and expand student learning opportunities. Learn more.
Bittle Tree of Life
Roanoke's campus is populated with sacred trees — trees planted for and by members of the community. None held a closer place in our hearts than the Bittle Tree, a Tulip Poplar that flourished for over 100 years after being planted by our first president, Rev. David F. Bittle. When the tree met its end due to storm damage, our campus came together to give it a new life that will carry forward into the next 100 years. Learn more.
Hands-On Learning
At Roanoke, learning isn't limited to the classroom. Our students in environmental studies, biology and more benefit from unique partnerships that let them get their hands dirty and apply their knowledge in real-world settings.
These learning opportunities happen across campus — where students have taken part in assessing our tree canopy and nourishing our campus garden — as well as in the wider community. Investing in the cultivation of our campus trees helps strengthen these hands-on initiatives.
Keep up with the latest from our student programs by following some of them on social media: