Goal
1: To provide a diverse, well-maintained and well-documented
collection of woody plants hardy to the Allegheny Plateau.
The Indiana University of Pennsylvania campus holds a very
limited woody plant collection. A few species (4) account for a
surprisingly large share (52.4%) of the campus tree inventory. The
existing inventory is distinguished not only by its lack of
diversity but by its lack of character and seasonal interest
(consider the large ad nauseum collection of Red Twig Dogwood, Yew,
Canadian Hemlock and Pin Oak). A considerable portion of this
inventory is also marked by short-lived species prone to various
pests and pathogens (consider the genus Malus and Prunus for
example). In addition, many woody plants in Indiana University of
Pennsylvania's already limited inventory are invasive non-native
species (consider the large collection of Winged Euonomus, Norway
Maple and Japanese Barberry). We advocate the use of hardy woody
plants as a means of providing a more sustainable, diverse and
colorful inventory of woody plants for the Indiana University of
Pennsylvania campus.
- Implement a systematic tree maintenance program.
- Develop a preferred species list for all campus landscape
installations and work with facilities management to select
install and maintain plant collections.
- Complete the campus tree inventory and establish a plant
database.
- Promote landscape management techniques and practices that are
both sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Goal 2: To demonstrate the aesthetic, environmental and
functional application of woody plants hardy to the Allegheny
Plateau.
The Allegheny Arboretum at Indiana University of Pennsylvania is
not an exercise in campus 'prettification'. It is not something
undertaken to-pun intended-'spruce up' the place. The Allegheny
Arboretum at Indiana University of Pennsylvania would certainly have
beautification effects, but such effects are incidental to the
central purpose of an arboretum. Similarly, the purpose of the
Allegheny Arboretum at Indiana University of Pennsylvania is not
simply to have a diverse collection of woody plant specimens. While
diversifying the existing inventory is one of the arboretum's goals
the diversity goal must be augmented by objectives that seek to
demonstrate how woody plants can be applied in the landscape to
achieve environmental, educational and aesthetic purposes.
The following objectives seek to display the instrumental value,
native habitats, intrinsic qualities and architectural uses of plant
specimens. These four objectives make up the arboretum's 'quartet'
of garden types.
- Develop a campus wide "Granite Garden" that would
demonstrate the functional and engineering uses of woody plants
in the built environment. Woody plants, for example, have been
used for thousands of years to provide protection from wind,
precipitation and sun. Today the "green design"
applications of woody plants are being rediscovered. Green
infrastructure can advance a number of bioengineering objectives
such as reducing cooling loads, mitigating wind rake,
stabilizing soil, maintaining stream banks, reducing storm water
discharge rates, creating biofilters and reducing 'heat island'
effects to name just a few.
- Develop a series of "Niche Gardens" that would
display typical plant associations within natural habitats and
plant communities of the Allegheny Plateau. Pin Oaks, to use an
example, associate with other species sharing similar
environments. In flood plain complexes Pin Oaks associate with
among other woody plants, Betula, Acer, Lindera, Populus,
Onoclea, Salix and Platanus. Herbaceous associates might include
Osmunda and Onoclea to name just a few.
The idea of a niche garden is to display regional specimens
within and along side associates that would likely share a
common plant community typical of the Pittsburgh section of the
Allegheny Plateau.
- Develop several pocket "Display Gardens" that would
demonstrate and permit side by side comparisons of foliage,
bloom, bark, texture, seasonal interests and habit, among and
between species. A display garden, unlike a niche garden, would
display plants by family or genus rather than plant community. A
display garden would exhibit cultivars, as well as plants within
the same genus (or family) from other temperate forest
environments worldwide. For example it would be possible to
create a display garden ing woody specimens from only one genus
while exhibiting dozens of specimens from around the globe.
Consider the genus Viburnum, Ilex or Pinus each of which contain
numerous species and hundreds of cultivars ancestral to many
cool temperate forests around the world.
- Develop several "Specialty Gardens" that would
demonstrate the use of woody plants to enhance the historic
character, seasonal interest and spatial definition of the IUP
campus. Specialty gardens might include the construction of a
formal Victorian gardenscape around Sutton Hall. Specialty
gardens could also add seasonal interest. Consider the creation
of winter gardens (think Ilex and Hammelis) along major
pedestrian paths. Specialty gardens could create 'architectonic'
effects. Consider the installation of large canopy shade trees
to establish volumetric enclosure along campus streets or
augment spatial definition between buildings and campus public
spaces.
Goal 3: To establish "Green Linkages" between the
community and the university.
Connections between the community and the Arboretum at Indiana
University of Pennsylvania will take several forms. These would
include (1) physical linkages between campus and community, (2)
advocacy linkages with local groups and industry and (3) public
linkages with the surrounding community. Physical linkages might
include, but need not be limited to, arboretum extensions along the
Hoodlebug Trail, the 're-greening' of Wayne and Oakland Avenue and
improvements slated for Getty Heights Park. "green
improvements" along both campus and community pedestrian
circulation elements should be undertaken as projects of mutual
community/campus interest. These linkages are identified in the IUP
Campus Development Plan and the Indiana County Pedestrian and
Bicycle Circulation Plan as well as other relevant documents.
Advocacy linkages will take the form of connections with -what
we'll call-"street livability " advocacy groups, including
the Indiana Borough Shade Tree Commission, Livable Indiana
Neighborhood Connections (LINC), Penn State Master Gardeners,
Evergreen Club, Downtown Indiana and the Indiana Garden Club.
Indiana County is a major player in the "Green Industry".
Linkages with the Pennsylvania Nurserymen's and Landscapers
Association (PNLA) and the Indiana County Christmas Tree Growers
Association will be established. On campus organization such as ECO,
The COOP and Phi Eta Sigma (Freshman Honors Society) may be
interested in participating as well.
- Create pedestrian "safeways" as
"greenways" between the community and campus.
- Enlist interested community and green industry groups in the
establishment of the Arboretum at Indiana University of
Pennsylvania.
- Make the arboretum accessible, inviting and available for use
by the general public.
- Insure consistency with current community planning efforts.
- Make the Allegheny Arboretum at Indiana University of
Pennsylvania a formal component of the campus master and a
recognizable item within the campus five-year capital
improvements program.
Goal 4: To design an outdoor learning environment that will
invite use by the general public, visitors, Indiana University of
Pennsylvania as well as other educational institutions.
A traditional function of an arboretum is to provide
opportunities for educators, students and the general public to
identify plants and learn about their natural history. The Allegheny
Arboretum at Indiana University of Pennsylvania will continue this
tradition. In addition, the Allegheny Arboretum at Indiana
University of Pennsylvania will provide opportunities to learn about
applications of plant materials to resolve environmental problems
(see "Garden Quartet" Goal 2 above).
- Serve as an educational resource for a range of learners
(pre-school through university).
- Establish joint horticultural programs and educational
opportunities between campus and community by working with
campus departments whom is predisposed toward issues of
environmental design.
- Enhance local economic development by promoting 'green
tourism' in Indiana County.
Goal 5: To utilize existing and proposed facilities, both
community and campus, wherever possible to minimize the initial cost
of development.
Implementing the Allegheny Arboretum at Indiana University of
Pennsylvania requires financial, physical and human resources. As
noted above (Goal 3) many of these resources are already in place.
The campus has an existing inventory of trees (partial inventory
done in 1994, complete inventory in 1982). The university is and
will continue to be engaged in substantial capital improvement
projects. The community has a number of advocacy horticultural
organizations.
- Establish an Arboretum Board review procedure for all campus
capital projects.
- Promote the joint development of projects with like minded
community organizations.
- Encourage and cultivate gifts, donations and other financial
contributions to the arboretum.
