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Lillian Anderson
Arboretum :
The Centennial Grove still has a few years to grow!
When someone mentions a Centennial project your first question might be, "What happened a hundred years ago?" This Centennial project is different. Kim Cummings and his friends are more interested in what will be happening a hundred years from now.
Inspired by winter walks on the Arboretum trails, Professor of Sociology and Anthropology C. Kim Cummings and a number of like-minded friends shared a vision: "how wonderful it would be if to the "natural" beauties of the Arboretum we could add the appeal of a collective project!" They eventually hit upon the idea of creating a long-maturing woodland grove which would "celebrate the noble hardwood species of southwest Michigan." They knew it would take time, but the longer it took, the more people who might get involved. One hundred years sounded like a nice, round figure.
An acre of land was selected near the entrance to the Arboretum. Some native species were already in place, others would be planted and carefully tended. Professor Cummings recognized that it would be impossible to establish a self-sustaining, traditional, southwest Michigan hardwood prairie on such a small plot. This Grove will require some effort to maintain, but the builders feel the effort will be worthwhile. They hope that, over time, the Grove will serve as a dramatic outdoor "room", providing a space for meditation and a respite from the relentless pressures of modern life. In addition, the cooperative effort of creating it will supply its own rewards of fellowship and shared physical exercise.
Clearing for the Grove began in the winter of 2002. From the start, students from K College's Human Development and Social Relations program have provided much of the muscle. Dead and dying trees have been removed. Honeysuckle and other invasive species are being cleared. To celebrate Arbor Day 2004 members of EnvOrg, K's student environmental organization, with the help of individuals from the local community, planted a variety of oaks, hickories, and chestnuts. This is just the beginning but Kim Cummings and his partners are in this for the long run. As Professor Cummings says, "The masons of yore were not present to see cathedral spires finally soar above the foundations on which they had labored! Happy is the one who might go to the hereafter with the delightful vision of a towering hardwood forest still in the making."
Inspired by winter walks on the Arboretum trails, Professor of Sociology and Anthropology C. Kim Cummings and a number of like-minded friends shared a vision: "how wonderful it would be if to the "natural" beauties of the Arboretum we could add the appeal of a collective project!" They eventually hit upon the idea of creating a long-maturing woodland grove which would "celebrate the noble hardwood species of southwest Michigan." They knew it would take time, but the longer it took, the more people who might get involved. One hundred years sounded like a nice, round figure.
An acre of land was selected near the entrance to the Arboretum. Some native species were already in place, others would be planted and carefully tended. Professor Cummings recognized that it would be impossible to establish a self-sustaining, traditional, southwest Michigan hardwood prairie on such a small plot. This Grove will require some effort to maintain, but the builders feel the effort will be worthwhile. They hope that, over time, the Grove will serve as a dramatic outdoor "room", providing a space for meditation and a respite from the relentless pressures of modern life. In addition, the cooperative effort of creating it will supply its own rewards of fellowship and shared physical exercise.
Clearing for the Grove began in the winter of 2002. From the start, students from K College's Human Development and Social Relations program have provided much of the muscle. Dead and dying trees have been removed. Honeysuckle and other invasive species are being cleared. To celebrate Arbor Day 2004 members of EnvOrg, K's student environmental organization, with the help of individuals from the local community, planted a variety of oaks, hickories, and chestnuts. This is just the beginning but Kim Cummings and his partners are in this for the long run. As Professor Cummings says, "The masons of yore were not present to see cathedral spires finally soar above the foundations on which they had labored! Happy is the one who might go to the hereafter with the delightful vision of a towering hardwood forest still in the making."
Centennial Grove