Trees

From Roots to Ripples: How Community Donations Transform the Arboretum and Public Garden

As we prepare for our annual spring fundraising campaign, we wanted to give you an update on how vital community donations are. Last year, the UC Davis and regional communities came together to support the Trees for Tomorrow campaign, ensuring that our campus continues to thrive with a diverse and resilient tree canopy. Thanks to generous donations, dedicated volunteers, and passionate student leaders, we have made remarkable strides in planting new trees, enhancing campus landscapes, and creating opportunities for hands-on learning.

Cork Harvest Comes to UC Davis

On May 30, 2024, under the shade of the UC Davis Arboretum’s 80-plus-year-old cork oak grove, a rarely seen exhibition of cork harvesting took place. This traditional practice, unfamiliar to most Americans, involves the careful stripping of a cork oak’s outer bark without harming the tree.

Trees for Tomorrow

Thank you to all donors whose gifts supported the Trees for Tomorrow campaign!

We are grateful to everyone who gave during UC Davis' Give Day, the Sacramento region's Big Day of Giving, or at other times this spring. Over 180 contributors provided $73,000+ in funding, exceeding our goal!

Crack Discovered in Trunk of Iconic Campus Tree

The expansive Japanese Zelkova (Zelkova serrata), which has graced the banks of Lake Spafford in the UC Davis Arboretum since the 1960s, grew to serve as a popular gathering place for picnics, wildlife viewing, family photos and more until the recent discovery of a large crack in its trunk. Experts studying the issue determined it is in danger of breaking apart and poses a significant hazard.