Julia Sand/Winonan

Arbor Day, April 26, is about celebrating trees; on Winona State Campus though, which has every native tree species to Minnesota, Arbor Day celebrates more than just the environment.

Trees are important for the environment by cleaning the air, retaining water and acting as shade on buildings to reduce energy costs; trees also provide aesthetic beauty. But on a campus like Winona State, where out of town-ers come only to have a tree tour, these trees mean much more.

“It is to highlight campus as a living laboratory and classroom,” Jim Reynolds, former Winona State professor and member of All University Arboretum and Land Stewardship committee on campus, said.

Tom Grier, professor, member of the Arboretum committee, and co-author of “Campus of Trees: Winona State University,” also said Arbor Day is to recognize the University’s understanding of the importance not only of student learning, but also of learning in harmony with the environment.

Reynolds said the trees around campus have information in front of them that say the tree’s popular name, scientific name and a QR code for scanning. The QR code brings up more detailed information and a picture of the tree in full bloom.

The long-term hope is that students will use campus’ trees, as well as native plants, grasses and eventually flowers, as learning utilities.

Rather than just a place to get from point A to point B, Reynolds said campus should be a “destination point where people can learn.”

To recognize these great aspects of the trees, Winona State is holding the first annual Arbor Day on Friday, April 26, which is National Arbor Day.

Arbor Day will start in front of Darrell W. Krueger Library with some opening comments at 9 a.m. A ceremonial tree planting will follow.

Specifically, the tree planting will be the replacement of three Magnolia trees: one that got hit by a snow plow, two that succumbed to old age.

“That’s what Winona does. If a tree dies, we replace it,” Grier said.

Tree tours given on Arbor Day will wind around campus, ending in front of the Integrated Wellness Complex where senior Kaitlyn O’Connor will be talking about the future garden she designed.

Rain or shine – or snow – Arbor Day will take place.

“The trees have to be out there, so we might as well be too,” Reynolds said.

Winona State also has a “WSU Arboretum” function on WSU Mobile app. Students are able to pinpoint where tree species are on campus as well as read information.

Arbor Day events are free and open to the public.

Contact Julia at [email protected]