Arboretum at Penn State Behrend facts for kids
The Arboretum at Penn State Behrend is a special outdoor area where many different kinds of trees and woody bushes grow. It covers 725 acres, which is like a very big park! You can find it on the campus of Penn State Erie, The Behrend College in Erie, Pennsylvania. It's open every day, and you don't need to pay to visit.
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Discover the Arboretum at Penn State Behrend
What is an Arboretum?
An arboretum is like a living museum for trees. It's a place where many different types of trees and woody plants are grown and studied. People can visit to learn about plants, enjoy nature, and see beautiful landscapes. The Arboretum at Penn State Behrend was officially recognized as an arboretum in 2003.
A Home for Many Plants
This arboretum is home to more than 200 different kinds of trees and woody bushes. Imagine all the different shapes, sizes, and colors of leaves you could see! Some of the plant families you might find here include maples (Aceraceae), hollies (Aquifoliaceae), palms (Arecaceae), and oaks (Fagaceae). There are also many types of pines (Pinaceae) and roses (Rosaceae).
In 2003, the college became a member of the American Public Gardens Association. This was a big step! It meant the arboretum could start new programs for learning, reach out to the community, and do important research. It also helped make sure the plants and natural areas would be protected for a long time.
Its History
The land where Penn State Behrend is now was once owned by Ernst and Mary Behrend. They loved plants and started collecting many unusual trees, even some from faraway places like Asia!
The arboretum received its first big gift in 1952. The Carrie T. Watson Garden Club donated many beautiful flowering crabapple trees. These trees added a lot of color and beauty to the campus.
