College marks 10th year as Tree Campus USA

ROCKY MOUNT — Nash Community College celebrated its historical 10th anniversary as a designated Tree Campus in the United States of America last month.

Earning the designation in 2014, Nash was among the first four community colleges in the state to become a tree campus.

Master gardener Ken White led the annual tree planting ceremony, selecting an American linden tree, also known as an American basswood. This new tree is planted near Building A.

Native to the Piedmont area, it is “super fragrant” and will serve a double-duty role as the strong fragrance will attract bees and serve as a pollinator tree. NCC is also a designated Bee Campus USA.

Basswoods can grow up to 60-80 feet tall, showcasing small, fragrant, pale-yellow flowers that become clusters the size of a pea. Reports show the tree has been in North America since 1752 and derives its common name (Basswood) from its source of bast, a plant’s vascular tissue.

The tree should begin to bloom in two years.

College officials said NCC is proud to be recognized as Tree Campus USA for the 10th year.

“We have immense pride in serving as a Tree and Bee Campus designee,” said Ken White, master gardener at NCC. “Planting these specific trees over the years has had a sizable impact on the development of organisms and improving natural habitats that may not have happened if we weren’t committed to promoting healthy community forestry.”

The Tree Campus USA program encourages healthy community forests by requiring colleges and universities to meet five core standards: creation of a tree advisory committee and a campus tree care plan, having an annual budget for campus tree care, hosting an Arbor Day observation and providing conservation-related student service opportunities.

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