Sierra College Arboreta
Background Information for the West Arboretum
The Sierra College West Arboretum, near Sewell Hall, was a project of the Science Club and Biological Sciences Department that was initiated in 1968 with the first planting of trees donated by Larry Hyder of Placerville. Roland Bergthold, Biology and Botany Instructor at the time worked hard to see it become a reality.
Ted Kitada, Supervisor of Grounds at Sierra College at the time, helped with the ground work, planting and provided advice on their care. Over the years, trees and shrubs have been added to the arboretum using both purchased and donated plants. Everett Butts, Wapumne Nursery, has donated many different species, which have added much to the variety that we have now. Many others including the staff at Sierra College (including Jim Wilson, Shawna Martinez, Harriet Wilson, Sherry Reese, Mark Laws and others) have donated plants and time. Overall, the students and staff of the Sierra College Biological Sciences department continue to care for and work in the Arboretum with assistance from the Grounds Department at Sierra College.
The primary effort has been to establish a variety of trees and bushes on the site. As these become more mature, adding to the diversity of the microhabitats within the arboretum, more shade and water loving plants will be added. Plans for walkways, benches, watering systems, stream construction, decorative fences and flower projects are examples of future projects for the arboretum, depending on time and funding.
The desert portion of the West Arboretum (Cactus Garden) was relocated during the parking lot expansion project, which was completed during the 1990 - 1991 school year. This was a Science Club project that was completed under the direction of Dick Hilton, Charles Dailey and Roland Bergthold. Again, Ted Kitada was a great help in designing and providing the new planting area for our desert plants adjacent to Sewell Hall. Many of the plants were donations from the Sacramento Cactus Society and came from the cactus gardens at the Sacramento Zoo. The resulting "Desert Arboretum" is an outstanding new addition to the former planting and is located at the west entrance to Sewell Hall.
The next project for the West Arboretum is a new watering system. Future plantings are on hold until the new watering system is funded and installed.
If you are interested in helping us fund and support the arboreta project, please let us know.
Copyright 2004 Sierra College Biological Sciences Department
Last updated: 09/29/04.
