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“Elmo”– the largest Slippery Elm in New England, is situated across the street from the infirmary located on the UConn Storrs campus. The scientific name for Slippery Elm, Ulmus rubra, refers to the red hairs that cover its buds, hence the name Elmo. While the average slippery elm has a trunk diameter of 20 inches, Elmo is a hefty 60 inches wide. |
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During the Spring and Summer of 2003, Elmo came under fire from the proposed Wilbur Cross parking lot scheduled to be constructed. The parking lot plans had the entranceway cut right underneath the overhanging branches of Elmo, which would have severed a large portion of its life-giving root structure. Through the valiant efforts of UConn’s Arboretum Committee, working with UConn’s then-new Director of Environmental Policy, Rich Miller, and Architectural & Engineering Services staff the entrance route was altered so as to curve around the reach of the roots. Elmo was saved! |
Lacebark Elm - Ulmus parvifolia, also called the Chinese Elm, is located between the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (CLAS) building and Wilbur Cross. The tree exhibits a uniquely patterned bark from which it gets its name. The Lacebark Elm was moved to its current location in 2003 to allow construction on Wilbur Cross. During the transplanting process, a crane from the "Big Dig" Boston public works project needed to be brought in when the previous crane nearly fell over. |
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Yellow Poplar - Liriodendron tulipifera, also called the tuliptree, is located on Fairfield Way at the site of the now-demolished Pharmacy building. This tree was preserved through the demolition process despite its proximity to the building |
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