EOU Celebrates Arbor Day 2025 with Campus Tree Planting

EOU Celebrates Arbor Day 2025 with Campus Tree Planting

LaGrande, Ore. –  In honor of Arbor Day, Eastern Oregon University continued its tradition of campus beautification with a special tree planting event on Friday, April 25. This year’s planting took place around the dormitory areas between North Hall and South Hall, adding a mix of native and ornamental species to the landscape.

EOU grounds staff planted a diverse selection of trees, including Colorado Blue Spruce, Black Hills Spruce, Alaska Blue Weeping Cypress, Norway Spruce, Red Sunset Maple, Galaxy Magnolia, Heart Throb Dogwood, Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar, Autumn Blaze Maple, Pacific Sunset Maple, and Eastern Redbuds. These additions are expected to enhance the campus environment throughout all seasons and contribute to EOU’s ongoing sustainability and beautification efforts.

“We chose these trees to add more color to campus and to give the dorms a little more privacy,” said Toni Diacetis, EOU Grounds Maintenance. “We also wanted students to have more to enjoy when they look out their windows. When selecting trees, we consider not just their appearance but also how they’ll perform with our sun exposure and climate. Ultimately, it’s about creating a more beautiful, educational environment for our students to connect with nature.”

EOU has been recognized as a Tree Campus Higher Education Institution® by the Arbor Day Foundation since 2016. The designation aligns with the university’s broader strategic goal to maintain a welcoming and thriving university environment.

In previous years, EOU’s Arbor Day events have included meaningful additions such as the planting of a Friendship Tree, grown from a ginkgo seed that survived the Hiroshima atomic bombing—a living symbol of peace and resilience. The tree features a QR code linking to its story, inviting reflection and learning.

Eastern Oregon University is proud to be one of only eight colleges and universities in Oregon to carry the Tree Campus designation, showcasing its ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship, education, and the well-being of the campus community.