Arboretum

 The Kennesaw State University Arboretum was established in 1976 and encompasses a patch of forested slopes on the Kennesaw campus with a high diversity of trees and shrubs native to Cobb County. 
The arboretum offers our campus critical ecosystem services such as promoting biodiversity, controlling water runoff, promoting soil stability, nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, as well as invaluable shade and cooling through transpiration.  The arboretum also supports KSU’s  academic mission as it is utilized as research and teaching space by classes across multiple colleges as well as being a serene recreational space for students and faculty. 

The largest tree specimen in the arboretum is Tulip Trees (Liriodendron tulipifera), while large specimens of White Oak (Quercus alba), American Beech (Fagus grandifolia), and other oak species can also be found.  Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) is the only common conifer in this forest.  Dozens of other tree species fill in the canopy and midstory of the arboretum, and labels are provided for many species.  

Poison Ivy commonly grows as “hairy” vines on tree trunks as well as a groundcover in portions of the arboretum, and yellowjackets sometimes nest in the rotting wood or old rodent tunnels. When visiting it is essential we all stay on the paths and avoid disturbing labels, flags, or experimental equipment.