The University of New Mexico Campus Arboretum has been established to make available to visitors and students, staff and faculty one of the state’s most outstanding botanical experiences — in the midst of one of New Mexico’s great public open spaces.
Maintained by the Physical Plant Department (PPD) arborists, UNM has a wide variety of native tress that provide a beautiful canopy and habitat for many bird species. Every year, in celebration of Earth Day and Arbor Day — Friday, April 27 — PPD plants trees to replace those lost by age and weather to keep the campus a beautiful place to work and play.
J. Sterling Morton, who served as President Grover Cleveland's Secretary of Agriculture, was the founder of Arbor Day. This holiday is meant to encourage people to plant and care for trees. Today, Arbor Day is set aside throughout the world to raise awareness of trees and the importantrole that they play in our environment.National Arbor Day is always the last Friday in April and New Mexico’s celebration of Arbor Day is always the second Friday in March.
UNM tree planting schedule to celebrate Arbor Day:
Monday, April 23:
10–11 a.m. – Lomas Parking Structure, west of main entrance – one, City Sprite Zelcova
Noon to 1 p.m. – Vassar Park, corner of Vassar and Campus – one, Chocolate Persimmons
Tuesday, April 24:
10–11 a.m. – Natatorium – one, Common Hackberry
Noon to 1 p.m. – Redondo Village – one, Texas Red Oak
Wednesday, April 25:
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Coronado Hall – three, Frontier Elm
Thursday, April 26:
10–11 a.m. – Alvarado Hall west – one, Snow Cloud Serviceberry
Noon to 1 p.m. – Alvarado Hall east – one, Spring Flurry Serviceberry
Friday, April 27:
Noon to 2 p.m. – Lobo Gardens, behind real estate office – one Jujube, one pomegranate, one Fuyu Persimmons