The Ball State Arboretum urges visitors to explore our 780 acre campus, which contains hundreds of species of trees. Five tree trails have been designed and can be enjoyed by educators, students and community members. The Ball State Arboretum has been accredited at Level II through ArbNet; a global network for tree-focused arboreta.
Mission Statement
The Ball State University campus provides a living laboratory for students, visitors and the local community to study in a natural and aesthetically pleasing environment.
Goals and Objectives
- Continue professional protection and care for existing trees and shrubs; continue planting and removing trees and shrubs as needed to maintain a safe and diverse urban forest that promotes learning.
- Utilize the latest technology to document and monitor species, size, location, and maintenance activities, and continue to keep the tree inventory current.
- Continue university landscape management with a functional approach to screening, environmental balance, and aesthetic design. Utilize the knowledge of Landscape Services arborists and horticultural professionals to make management decisions in regards to tree maintenance and removal.
- Create and maintain an advisory committee of university members to develop and review policies and procedures.
- Create programs that provide education about the maintenance and growth of woody plant species and their proper use in the landscape.
- Grow a diverse range of both native and non-native woody plant species that can be viewed for their natural beauty and utilized for learning, recreation, and to bolster energy and storm water conservation efforts. Create plant collections throughout campus to enhance study among related species and native/non-native trees.
Tree Trails and Art Walk
Tree trails are available in PDF format. Download a PDF of all tree trails or select a trail from the list below.
Individual Trails
- Red Trail: 26 trees. 0.80 miles. Begins at the northeast corner of Worthen Arena and circles several buildings including the Gora Student Recreation and Wellness Center.
- Blue Trail: 36 trees. 0.95 miles. Begins on the east side of the R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning (CAP) and continues around Emens Auditorium to Bracken Library and passing Frog Baby on return.
- Yellow Trail: 37 trees. 1.09 miles. Begins on the west side of Woodworth Complex and continues through the green spaces surrounding the eastern residence halls of Studebaker West and East.
- Green Trail: 41 trees. 0.86 miles. Begins on the southeast corner of the Burkhardt Building and passes some of the largest trees and oldest buildings on campus. Visits Beneficence and the David Owsley Museum of Art.
- Orange Trail: 37 trees. 0.97 miles. Begins at the main entrance (north side) of L.A. Pittenger Student Center and loops around to Elliot Hall and Burris Laboratory School.
Tree Nursery
The Ball State University Tree Nursery was established in 1988 on 8 acres of ground located north of campus. The nursery was developed to supplement the University's tree planting goal of 7,000 trees and 750 different varieties of trees by the year 2000. We were able to exceed that goal with our current inventory of nearly 8,000 trees and approximately 625 species or cultivars on campus.
Total production space is available for 1,200 stations. Since 1993 over 250 trees have been harvested from the nursery and planted throughout campus. Most harvesting takes place in the fall; most replanting in the spring.
Contact
For more more information about the Ball State Arboretum, contact:
Michael Planton, arboretum director
Phone: 765-285-5092
View E-mail