The Historic Tree Grove located near the Sperry Observatory on the Cranford Campus is part of a long-term Historic Tree Project at UCNJ. Each of the trees is a seed or cutting- grown offspring of a tree noteworthy in American history. They were transplanted into the Grove beginning in 1997 from a nursery established on Campus near the Kellogg Greenhouse in 1995. For us and for future generations these trees will serve as reminders of significant individuals and events in our country’s history.
The idea of collecting seeds and growing seedlings of historic trees began in the 1970’s when American Forests (the Nation’s oldest nonprofit citizens’ conservation organization) was collecting data on the locations of historic trees in America for our bicentennial celebration. American Forests once made seedlings of these trees available to foster an appreciation for trees in general, and our country’s rich history.
This project has been funded in part by a grant from the Division of Parks and Forestry of New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection, allowing UCNJ to purchase some of the historic tree seedlings American Forests offered.
The emphasis of this project has now shifted primarily, but not exclusively, towards collecting and growing the offspring of trees significant in New Jersey’s history. The nursery near the Kellogg Greenhouse is in part devoted to the goal of growing these seedlings before the parent trees are lost forever. A visit there will give you the opportunity to see the latest trees to be included in this project. One seedling of each historic tree will eventually be transplanted from the nursery into the Grove.
Since many (sometimes hundreds) seedlings grow from the seeds UCNJ collects from historic trees in New Jersey each year, the College has been able to occasionally offer seedlings to schools, municipalities, and historic organizations in Union County and throughout our State. Planted on school grounds, in parks, and at other public places, the seedlings give many people the chance to participate in saving pieces of New Jersey’s history.
This project, along with the College’s Arboretum of over 160 tree species, can enhance your knowledge of trees and nature.
If you know of an historic tree in our state that is not represented in our Grove, or have questions about the Grove, please contact Dr. Tom Ombrello at ombrello@rpybbk.com.
