As Arizona’s Land Grant institution, the University of Arizona is charged with offering applied research, education, and outreach that addresses solutions to Arizona’s changing needs. This practical focus has led to major developments in urban horticulture. From the very beginning, trees and shrubs were planted and studied, creating an “oasis” of learning in desert horticulture. Throughout its history, UA faculty used the campus grounds as a test site for potential new agricultural commodities, introducing olives, citrus, and date trees, to name a few. Later, in response to population growth, urban development and concerns for resource conservation, faculty interests expanded to include arid-adapted landscape ornamentals that were also tested on the main campus grounds. As a result of this long-standing commitment, many of the trees on the main campus produce edible products that can be harvested and served.
With the goal of promoting sustainability, the Campus Arboretum provides leadership to promote conservation of resources including efficient use of water, labor, and chemical inputs in landscape management. Further, we maximize the benefits of campus trees by providing guidance on tree selection, preservation, and management to enhance longevity, tree structure, aesthetics, and safety. As you walk through campus, we hope you’ll appreciate the beauty as well as utility of this living example of urban sustainability research.
In this tour, you will learn how plants have been used for centuries to treat and remedy all sorts of ailments. Find out about the medicinal plants growing on campus. Learn about their historical uses and chemical properties. Plants growing all around us hold unique properties
just waiting to be discovered.
Tours start at the University of Arizona Memorial Fountain, west of Old Main at 9:30 am and last 60-90 minutes. Campus visitor parking is available and free on most weekends. Please bring water and a hat.
A campus map can be found at: https://map.arizona.edu/
