Love those big, gorgeous trees on the CC campus? So do others. The college, which has more than 2,100 trees, has been recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Campus USA program as a campus that effectively manages its tree populations, works with the greater community to facilitate healthy urban forests, and engages students in service opportunities related to forestry. To be eligible, a campus must meet the five core standards for sustainable campus forestry: establish a campus tree advisory committee; implement a campus tree care program; provide dedicated annual funding for tree care; observe Arbor Day; and provide service learning opportunities. CC has met all of these standards, earning recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation.

A devastating windstorm in early January felled 28 trees around campus. Many of the trees were chopped up for firewood, which was given away on a first-come, first-served basis by the CC grounds crew. Mike Spruce, CC’s arborist, (yes, that’s really his name), is planning a springtime tree planting event on Armstrong Quad for students, faculty, and staff volunteers.