Champ On The Move - Brief Article

They're planning a new arts center for Purdue University and from all accounts it sounds like a pretty impressive place. But we're even more impressed by what's happening there before construction begins. Rather than destroy the national co-champion smoketree, which currently calls that piece of earth home, Purdue has announced plans to move it.

It's the first time we know of that someone has attempted to save a national champ by moving it.

The dilemma was brought to Purdue's attention by Guy Sternberg, a landscape architect, AMERICAN FORESTS member, and Purdue alumni. Sternberg also put his call to save the smoketree on the Internet, and Purdue officials say they've gotten letters and emails from as far away as France and Japan.

In a letter to University president Steven C. Beering, AMERICAN FORESTS Executive Director Deborah Gangloff wrote: "I urge you to save this tree, as it is a significant link to our forest heritage and a beautiful example of the diversity of trees in the United States. It also serves as a living landmark on the Purdue campus."

Smoketrees are generally small trees with short trunks and wide-spreading crowns. The unusual name comes from its clusters of smoky-pink flowers, which from a distance resemble puffs of smoke as they fade. The tree is a popular ornamental for its beautiful autumn leaves of orange, yellow, or red.

The Purdue tree has been a national champion since 1984.

While there are never any guarantees when you attempt to uproot nature, AMERICAN FORESTS' big tree coordinator Katie Byrne offered kudos both to Sternberg for his championing of the tree and to Purdue, which is spending more than $20,000 on the move.

"The university is setting an important precedent by showing it is possible to balance progress with a respect for natural treasures," Byrne says. We hope others lucky enough to host a national champion accord their trees the same amount of respect."

The university has a long-standing reputation for showing respect for trees and the environment. It runs three Campus Tree Tours that showcase interesting trees.

Those wishing to show support for Purdue's action can contribute to a moving and maintenance fund. Send checks to: Purdue Research Foundation, Agricultural Development, 1140 Agricultural Administration Building, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47904-1140. On the memo line, note: Smoketree.

COPYRIGHT 2000 American Forests
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group