CHAMP ON THE MOVE.They're planning a new arts center for Purdue University Purdue University (pərdy  `, -d`), main campus at West Lafayette, Ind. and from all accounts it sounds like a pretty impressive place. But we're even more impressed im·press 1 tr.v. im·pressed, im·press·ing, im·press·es 1. To affect strongly, often favorably: 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 Guy Sternberg (born 1947) is the owner and operator of Starhill Forest Arboretum in Petersburg, Illinois. He is an arborist and author of Native Trees for North American Landscapes (2004) ISBN 0-88192-607-8 and (1996) ISBN 1-881527-66-2. , a landscape architect, AMERICAN FORESTS American Forests is a nonprofit conservation organization that promotes healthy forests and urban tree planting. The organization was established in 1875 as the American Forestry Association, by physician/horticulturist John Aston Warder and a group of like-minded citizens 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 Steven C. Beering served as president of Purdue University from 1983 to 2000. Previously, he was dean of the Indiana University School of Medicine. During his leadership, Purdue's main campus in West Lafayette, Indiana grew by more than 20 buildings. He replaced John W. , 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 United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. . 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 West Lafayette, city (1990 pop. 25,907), Tippecanoe co., W Ind., a suburb of Lafayette, on the Wabash River; inc. 1924. A primarily residential city, it is the seat of Purdue Univ. , IN 47904-1140. On the memo line, note: Smoketree. |
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