Arboretum Collection

The arboretum collection, consisting of 100 specimens of woody plants, was formed by selection representative individuals of all woody plant taxa that were present on the Rice Campus in August 2002. Accessions to the collection subsequent to that date are made by acquisition of plants by purchase or donation. In addition to featuring native plants of Texas and northeast Mexico, the collection focuses on other major woody plant genera of eastern North America (specifically oaks, elms, ashes, hickories, maples and pines) or plants of particular horticultural interest in the region. For these taxa, selected non-native species will be acquired for comparative purposes as appropriate.  

A List of Species of Woody Plants on Rice Campus

The Holly Collection (Aquifoliaceae) 

• Ilex vomitoria --yaupon
• I. opaca -- American holly
• I. decidua -- deciduous holly  (to be added--tba)
• I. coriacea -- gallberry holly  (tba)
• I. cornuta -- Chinese holly

The Oak Collection (Fagaceae: Quercus)

Maple (Acer) collection

• Big-tooth maple (Acer grandidentatum) -- Native of Guadalupe Mtns, west Texas.(tba)
• Southern sugar maple (Acer barbatum)-- Native of southeast Texas.
• Chalk maple (Acer leucoderme) -- Native of southeast Texas.
• Red maple (Acer rubrum)-- Native of east Texas (existing tree).

The Hickory Collection (Juglandaceae: Carya, Juglans)

• Carya alba
• C. Texana
• C. illinoensis
• C. glabra
• C. Aquatica
• Juglans nigra

The Pershing Tree
General J.J. “Black Jack” Pershing, the commander of the American Expeditionary Force during World War I, planted the pecan tree located in Founder's Court Feb 5, 1920.


The Pershing Tree Today