McGlothlin-Street Hall

Abies firma A pair of momi firs.

Nameplates Many trees in the collection have identifying tags. These consist of a plastic nameplate adhered to a piece of treated wood, nailed directly into the tree. This technique allows the tags to "grow" with the tree rather than becoming covered with bark.

Pinus palustris longleaf pine

Chamaecyparis nootkatensis Alaska cedar

Cunninghamia lanceolata Close-up showing cones of the China fir.

Ginkgo biloba The Ginkgo (at right) is the only tree species with a fan-shaped leaf.

Asian Conifer Specimens

The sloping area between McGlothlin-Street Hall and the south residence halls features unique trees from across the globe. At the west end, look for:

Momi Firs (Abies firma): Native to central and southern Japan, these trees are named for their firm, plastic-like needles.
China Fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata): A distinctive evergreen from East Asia.
Alaska Cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis): Known for its graceful, drooping branches.

The Longleaf Pine Legacy

The Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris) on this slope carries a significant historical and ecological story.

Historical Range: Once covering 90 million acres from Virginia to Texas, only 3% of original longleaf forests remain today.
Longevity: These trees can live up to 500 years and grow over 100 feet tall.
Economic Impact: Prized for its resin-hardened timber, it was the preferred choice for building ships and antebellum houses. The famous “heart pine” flooring found throughout Virginia is typically made from this species.

Identification Tip: To see why it’s called "longleaf," compare its needles to the more common Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) growing just to the east.