Photo Courtesy of Shannon Murphy & Miranda Padilla
Take time to appreciate the beautiful fall trees before winter starts!
All year round, but especially in the fall, the beautiful trees of SUNY Geneseo’s campus make everyone’s day a little nicer. We all enjoy the amazing view from the top of the hill of the horizon disappearing into the tree line which disappears into the sky; with the peak fall foliage conditions of this week, the sunset only grows more beautiful. While these trees in the distance are gorgeous, we have many just as nice on campus. We walk past the nature that’s all around us everyday, and after a while, we often stop appreciating just how close the beauty of nature is. So, in no particular order, here are five trees on campus that are great reminders of the beauty near us.
First, the big tree with two trunks outside of Brodie Hall. Many of us who live off campus pass this beautiful tree every day as we walk to and from classes. Usually you can find little squirrels playing in the branches or running from the top of Brodie into the leaves. They might be loud and chittering in the morning, but the way they scamper in circles at the base and on the branches really makes it clear what a good home this tree makes. It also makes a wonderful view, with its lush top in full red and orange, raining its leaves down on the grass between the parking lot and Brodie Hall.
A very different—but no less beautiful—tree stands out to me because of its spidery trunk. If you sit on the bench by the bus stop outside of the bottom floor of the Union, you’ll see this young tree in its fall glory. With a trunk that is split into around five pieces, this tree looks more like a bush. But doubtlessly, this healthy tree will grow into one of the biggest, most beautiful on campus.
Another stand out for its leaves is the giant tree on the edge of campus, right in the crook of Newton Hall. It has not been measured, but it would be a good guess to say that this is the biggest tree on campus. This classic maple might be the most beautiful in fall; growing taller above its company, this tree also has a beautiful gradient of yellow, orange, and red. It looks like a tree from a storybook, perfect in every way,
A second smaller beauty is the little tree that the second floor of Milne Library looks out on. Despite being a new addition to campus after the construction work on the library was done, this little tree is already standing out. Taller and slightly wider than its companions, this seems like the sapling to watch. It already fills out its ungainly domed top, and is sure to be a giant one day.
This list would not be complete without an entry from the circle of small trees lining the campus green. These trees are known and loved by every student, giving shade and beauty to those who go to study, read, or just hang out by them. In the spring, these trees erupt into a beautiful pink and white bloom, but right now, they are vibrant with dark red berries. We all pass these trees, and the others mentioned, every day; the next time you do, be sure to take a moment to appreciate the beauty all around us.