Japanese scholar-tree (Styphnolobium japonicum)

Japanese scholar-trees are resilient, wonderfully ornamental trees with high tolerance for urban conditions. These trees can reach heights of up to 75 feet. Their most recognizable feature are their large, creamy, pea-like flowers bloom in long, fluffy panicles late in summer and early fall when few other trees are in flower.

Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia)

Also called “lacebark elms” because of their lovely exfoliating bark with patches of shimmery silver, copper, cinnamon, and brown, Chinese elsms add visual interest and texture to campus walks.

green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica)

These beautiful trees, with their furrowed bark and spreading canopies, comprise up to a quarter of public trees in many American cities, and are prevalent throughout natural areas, adding up to around seven billion ash trees throughout North America . Though they are extremely tolerant to drought, compaction, and pollution; ashes face a significant threat from Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis), an exotic beetle first discovered near Detroit in 2002. Ashes have been lost in the tens of millions throughout the East and Midwestern parts of the country; the blight is predicted to beco

European beech (Fagus sylvatica)

European beeches were introduced to America in the 18th century, and have been enjoyed as popular shade trees ever since. This young European beech is a beautiful example the lovely, compact form, graceful branching, smooth silver-grey bark, and dense, lustrous foliage for which this species is known.

London planetree (Platanus × hispanica)

Discovered to be one of the most resilient urban street trees in 19th and 20th century Philadelphia, London Planes are planted in many locations across campus, particularly along Woodland and Locust Walks. Their distinctive ivory, olive, and cream-colored bark, impressive size, and attractive branching structure all contribute to London Planes’ ubiquity along city streets.

saucer magnolia (Magnolia × soulangeana)

This magnolia, located in the small grove behind the popular Love Statue on College Green, is profusely covered with pinkish-purple flowers blooming in March to April before leaves emerge. The blooms are large, some opening to a diameter of 10 inches across.

red oak (Quercus rubra)

The red oak is among the stateliest, most adaptable, and useful trees native to North American forests. Growing rapidly in a variety of climactic and soil conditions, red oaks reach heights of up to 90 feet with spreading branches and a broad, rounded crown.

American elm (Ulmus americana)

In the early 20th century, American elms were one of the most popular street trees in the country, planted in stately rows throughout neighborhoods all over America. But in 1928, Dutch elm disease began decimating American elm populations during one of the most devastating shade tree epidemics in urban history.

thornless common honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis)

Honeylocusts are common urban trees planted for their relatively delicate foliage, fast growth rate, and interesting ornamental seed pods. They are often planted in courtyards or in front of public buildings, where they are admired for the dappled shade produced by their lovely fine-textured foliage.

katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum)

Katsura trees are interesting trees native to China and Japan. With a dense, rounded crown, katsuras are a wonderful shade tree, and can grow 50-60’ in cultivation and rarely over 100’. These trees are dioecious, with males producing tiny red flowers and females producing green flowers in early spring before leaves begin to grow.

southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

Southern magnolias are admired for their large, fragrant flowers and dark, lustrous foliage with soft cinnamon undersides. Although it is common in the south, Southern magnolia can survive as far north as Maine and Michigan.

sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana)

Sweetbay magnolias are slender, graceful trees with smooth bark and beautifully fragrant, white flowers opening in late spring. In fall, these trees produce aggregates fruit containing red seeds, an important food source for migrating songbirds.