Here at the University of Oregon, we take trees pretty seriously. And if you haven’t realized it yet, just take a look at the sheer number of trunks and foliage in our midst. Believe it or not, before the University was established, this entire area was a prairie sans trees. So, in your time here, take a moment or two — or several — to appreciate the array of species we have living on this beautiful campus.

The oldest tree on campus. (Nate Barrett/Emerald)

We took a walk around campus with landscape architecture adjunct instructor and campus tree expert Whitey Lueck to show off some of the best trees the University has to offer.

Purple European Beech 

Located just outside Gerlinger Annex and its courtyard and a staple of the freshman weekend excursions between the dorms and West University, according to Lueck, this tree dates back to around 1925. You’ll probably recognize it as the tree with the cheeky tag, “Sup?”

Giant Sequoia

Behind the iconic Johnson Hall that houses University administration offices, you’ll find a Giant Sequioa with branches sprawled all the way down to the ground. And while its height is impressive, the most remarkable aspect is its relatively young age, with its planting dating back to around 1937, according to Lueck.

Big-Leaf Maple

If you’ve taken a tour through campus, then you should be familiar with Deady Hall, the original and oldest University building that housed the first classes taught here. Just outside the hall’s entrance stands a big-leaf maple that dates back to the early 1880s. Interestingly, the tree hosts licorice ferns that grow in the opposite season of the tree.

Coast Redwood

Located just outside the courtyard of Lawrence Hall, this coast redwood is native to coastal California and parts of Oregon. The tree actually split into two trunks when it was young and now, as a fully grown tree, the two trunks share the same roots.

Douglas-Fir Alleé

One of the most iconic walkways at the University is the pathway between Kincaid St. and Deady Hall. You’ll notice the succession of evenly spaced Douglas Firs —the state tree of Oregon. In fact, the trees go from younger to older as you walk up the hill towards Deady Hall.

DuckLife is the Emerald’s magazine for incoming freshmen, made available during IntroDucktion. This story has been reprinted from the magazine in its original form.