| Virginia
Journal of Science.
2007. Vol 58 (1) : 3-16 |
| Trees
on K-12 School Campuses in Virginia Jeffrey L. Kirwan, P. Eric Wiseman, and John R. Seiler Department of Forestry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0324 ABSTRACT
Trees and saplings growing on K-12 school campuses were
investigated in 105 school districts across Virginia. There were
2812 trees (>12.5 cm stem diameter at 1.4 m above ground level)
inventoried across all campuses. The mean and median campus tree
population was 27 and 18, respectively. Loblolly pine (Pinus
taeda L.) was the most abundant species, accounting for 11% of all
inventoried trees. Red maple (Acer rubrum L.) was the most
frequently inventoried species, present on 44% of the campuses.
Sapling (trees with 2.5-12.5 cm stem diameter at 1.4 m above ground
level) populations were similar to tree populations. The mean and
median campus sapling population was 23 and 13, respectively.
Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida L.) and red maple were the most
abundant sapling species, each accounting for about 10% of all
inventoried saplings. Flowering dogwood, red maple, Bradford pear
(Pyrus calleryana Decne. ‘Bradford’), willow oak (Quercus phellos L.),
and ornamental cherry (Prunus spp.) were the most frequently
inventoried sapling species, each present on more than 25% of the
campuses. Across all campuses, species diversity was relatively
low: less than 10 species accounted for over 50% of the inventoried
trees and saplings. Prominent Virginia natives, in particular
Carya and Quercus species, were under represented in the inventory. |