As David Richardson approaches the rookery on UT Southwestern’s South Campus, he beams with pride. Not because of the egrets bustling about – which are surely captivating – but for the trees in which they nest.

He motions to the leaves, trunks, and roots, appreciating every tree for each one’s uniqueness and flaws.

Accounting for the alkaline (high pH balance) soil and water, UT  Southwestern has a diverse group of oak trees thanks to Mr. Richardson’s global seed exchanges through the International Oak Society. UT Southwestern’s main campus boasts trees from Greece, Turkey, Israel, Taiwan, and more.

In the 21 years that I’ve been here, I’ve probably planted close to 50 trees, he said. I’ve researched trees that came from similar soil and water environments around the world, receiving seeds for trees that would work here and then find a place on campus to plant them.

Mr. Richardson has worked for UT  Southwestern since 1998 and has been an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist since 2006. He’s part of the Landscape Services team, which is responsible for maintaining over 100 acres of green space as well as the campus’ indoor plants. The team maintains or is responsible for landscapes, irrigation, pest control, campus streets, sidewalks, and hardscapes with the goal of providing an inviting environment for visitors, students, faculty, and staff.

The O’Donnell Grove on North Campus houses some native live oaks and red oaks alongside oaks from Turkey and Israel. This photo is from 2003, three years after the Grove was established.

Mr. Richardson is largely responsible for landscaping on North Campus. For example, the O’Donnell Grove features some native live oaks and red oaks alongside oaks from Turkey and Israel. (The Grove is named in honor of Edith J. and Peter O’Donnell Jr. for their support of UT Southwestern.)

David Richardson, part of the Landscape Services team, displays his Special Service Award from the International Oak Society.

His efforts earned him the 2018 Special Service Award from the International Oak Society (IOS), given to individuals who contribute particular services to the Society or to the advancement of the knowledge of oaks. According to the IOS, Mr. Richardson “successfully organized the 5th IOS Conference in Texas, and through his efforts and personal initiative the campus of UT  Southwestern Medical Center is now an oak arboretum. Over the years, David has shared oak seeds and plants with fellow members and arboreta around the world as well as excellent information and advice for whoever wants to visit the oaks of Texas.”

One of the more unusual trees on campus: A Ginkgo biloba tree, which is native to China, lives near the South Campus koi pond. Ginkgo biloba is the only living species in the division Ginkgophyta (all others being extinct) and is found in fossils dating back 270 million years.

More unique plants contribute to the overall campus arboretum, as Mr. Richardson looks for trees that are special but will do well in the local alkaline soil.

• The koi pond area also includes a maple from Taiwan, the seeds for which Mr. Richardson collected himself. The maple sits next to another from Japan.
• Three trees on campus are from seeds provided by the founder of the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens.
• Upon obtaining a permit, Mr. Richardson collected native oak seeds from trees in Big Bend National Park and planted them on South Campus.
• Near the rookery live a younger oak tree from Greece, a maple from Mexico, and Viburnums native to North Texas.

Quercus brantii (Brant’s oak), native to Kurdistan. Located near the South Campus basketball courts, it arrived via the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens in Israel.

An egret looks over the rookery on South Campus.

A flowering Viburnum rufidulum (rusty blackhaw), which is native to North Central Texas.

Quercus graciliformis (Graceful oak) from Big Bend National Park, Texas. Located near the O’Donnell Grove on North Campus.

(Left) Quercus polymorpha (Mexican white oak) from Dolan Falls, Val Verde County, Texas. Located near the O’Donnell Grove on North Campus. (Right) Acer oliverianum (Taiwan maple) near the koi pond on South Campus.

A path weaves around Quercus stellate (post oaks) at the rookery on South Campus.

 

 

Efforts are continuing to further improve the Southwestern Medical District’s collection of trees. According to the Texas Trees Foundation’s 2015 State of the Dallas Urban Forest report, the Southwestern Medical District had less than 7 percent tree canopy (compared with 29 percent for the entire city of Dallas) and is a major “heat island” (an urban area that is significantly warmer than its surrounding areas). The recently devised Southwestern Medical District Urban Streetscape Master Plan “will create a ‘sense of place’ and a design that is magical yet functional, sensitive to ecological requirements, and will provide a safer vehicular and pedestrian environment – one that reduces stress and supports a community for healing a body, mind and spirit.”

“Trees are a large part of the solution to keeping Dallas healthy,” said Ruben Esquivel, Vice President for Community and Corporate Relations. “The Southwestern Medical District Urban Streetscape Master Plan connects UTSW with our community to improve mobility and our environment, encourages walkability and comfort, and increases safety for patients, visitors, students, and employees at UT  Southwestern.”

Mr. Richardson looks forward to a sustainable future for trees on campus.

“Since we have mild winters, springs, and falls, it’s nice to be outside in this area for most of the year,” he said. “At UT Southwestern, we’re doing our part to contribute to that future.”