What is an Arboretum?
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An arboretum is a botanical garden devoted primarily to trees. It is a collection of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants that are cultivated for educational or scientific purposes. The Maud Gordon Holmes Arboretum is located on the Buffalo State campus at 1300 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14222. The entire campus comprises the collection, although the eastern and central portions of the campus contain the greatest variety of trees.
The Maud Gordon Holmes Arboretum is used by faculty and students. Our collection presents unique opportunities for students to closely study the complex ecological relationships that exist in this living laboratory. |
Friends of the MGH Arboretum
Formed in 2016, the Friends of the Maud Gordon Holmes Arboretum is a group devoted to the preservation, maintenance, and improvement of the arboretum. At one time, the arboretum contained more than 1700 trees representing approximately 85 different species, but that number has been reduced to around 1400 due to a combination of factors including the ravages of the emerald ash borer.
In the years since it was created in 1962, the arboretum has lost hundreds of trees that have not been replaced. While not as extreme, diversity has also suffered over the years.
- Trees add to the aesthetics of a campus, they absorb large volumes of rainwater, act as natural air conditioners, provide sustenance and shelter for wildlife, and convey a sense of safety and calm – particularly in urban environments.
The "Friends of Maud" meet regularly, take field trips, have an annual winter party, read books, and most of all raise awareness of the importance of the arboretum.
