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Beal Botanical Garden & Campus Arboretum
  • Visit & Events
  • Science
  • Education
  • Nuture Your Roots
  • Plant Collections
  • Campus Arboretum
  • Support
  • About

< Visit & Events

  • Overview
  • Events
  • Free Digital Guide
  • Garden Accessibility
  • Garden Etiquette
  • Public Tours
  • Exploration Map
  • Garden Collections Map

< Science

  • Overview
  • Beal Seed Experiment
  • Invasive Plants
  • Red Cedar Riverbank Restoration
  • Research and Teaching Permits

< Education

  • Overview
  • Classes
  • Beal Scholars
  • Resources
  • Public Tours
  • Tour Request Form

< Nuture Your Roots

  • Overview
  • Rooting Stations
  • Nurturing Campus
  • Extending Roots
  • Meditation Map

< Plant Collections

  • Overview
  • Core Collections
  • Thematic Collections
  • Augmented Reality Collection
  • Exploration Map
  • Garden Collections Map

< Campus Arboretum

  • Overview
  • Exploration Map
  • Historic Woodlands of MSU
  • Campus Tree Tour
  • Research and Teaching Permits

< Support

  • Make a Gift
  • Volunteer
  • Commemorative Trees and Benches
  • Donor Spotlights

< About

  • Overview
  • Mission & Strategic Plan
  • Our Team
  • Our Beal Scholars
  • History
  • Then and Now Historical Gallery
  • Resources
  • Media Coverage
  • Media Archive
  • Arts MSU
Home > Overview > Campus Tree Tour >

The Roosevelt Elm

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Beal Botanical Garden and Campus Arboretum Michigan State University 408 W. Circle Dr. Room 207 East Lansing, MI 48824

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SPARTANS WILL|© Michigan State University|

Beal Botanical Garden’s Spartan Tree Stories

7. The Roosevelt Elm

Ulmus x hollandica 'Vegata'

The Roosevelt Elm is no longer standing on the MSU Campus, but pieces of it remain. Archived materials of the tree are occasionally displayed at the MSU Museum.

The Roosevelt elm was planted on campus by President Theodore Roosevelt on May 31, 1907, to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the founding of Michigan State Agricultural College. It was planted next to house #1 on Faculty Row near the intersection of West Circle Drive and Beal Street. The tree was moved to across West Circle Drive into the Circle in February 1945 to make room for the construction of Gilchrest-Yakeley Hall. Sadly, the tree died in October 1947. Wood samples were collected from the tree, and some are in the MSU Museum and MSU Archives.

- Dr. Frank W. Telewski
Retired, Director of W. J. Beal Botanical Garden and Campus Arboretum
Professor Emeritus, Department of Plant Biology

A student kneels to read the Huntington Elm plaque that was presented by the Forestry Club to dedicate President Roosevelt's planting of the tree during his visit to M.A.C. during the 50th Anniversary Celebration in 1907. Note: This photo must have been taken before 1945 when the tree was moved from its original location to the south side of West Circle Drive. The lamp post in the photo is found on the north side of West Circle Drive, not the south side.
A student kneels to read the Huntington Elm plaque that was presented by the Forestry Club to dedicate President Roosevelt's planting of the tree during his visit to M.A.C. during the 50th Anniversary Celebration in 1907. Note: This photo must have been taken before 1945 when the tree was moved from its original location to the south side of West Circle Drive. The lamp post in the photo is found on the north side of West Circle Drive, not the south side.

A student kneels to read the Huntington Elm plaque that was presented by the Forestry Club to dedicate President Roosevelt's planting of the tree during his visit to M.A.C. during the 50th Anniversary Celebration in 1907.  Photo courtesy of Michigan State University Archives & Historical Collections.

Note: This photo must have been taken before 1945 when the tree was moved from its original location to the south side of West Circle Drive. The lamp post in the photo is found on the north side of West Circle Drive, not the south side.

A cross section of the Roosevelt elm that was cut down in 1947. It came from the tree that was planted during the Semi-Centennial celebration by United States President, Theodore Roosevelt. This piece was presented to MSU President John Hannah. Photo courtesy of Michigan State University Archives & Historical Collections.
MSC President Robert Shaw stands next to the Roosevelt Elm tree plaque that was presented by the Forestry Club during a formal dedication. Photo courtesy of Michigan State University Archives & Historical Collections.
MSC President Robert Shaw stands next to the Roosevelt Elm tree plaque that was presented by the Forestry Club during a formal dedication. Photo courtesy of Michigan State University Archives & Historical Collections.
The plaque affixed to a large stone dedicating the Huntington Elm. The dedication plaque reads: "Huntington Elm. Planted by: President Theodore Roosevelt. May 31, 1907. On the Fiftieth Anniversary of M.A.C. Erected by the Forestry Club." Photo courtesy of Michigan State University Archives & Historical Collections.

A student kneels to read the Huntington Elm plaque that was presented by the Forestry Club to dedicate President Roosevelt's planting of the tree during his visit to M.A.C. during the 50th Anniversary Celebration in 1907.  Photo courtesy of Michigan State University Archives & Historical Collections.

Note: This photo must have been taken before 1945 when the tree was moved from its original location to the south side of West Circle Drive. The lamp post in the photo is found on the north side of West Circle Drive, not the south side.

A cross section of the Roosevelt elm that was cut down in 1947. It came from the tree that was planted during the Semi-Centennial celebration by United States President, Theodore Roosevelt. This piece was presented to MSU President John Hannah. Photo courtesy of Michigan State University Archives & Historical Collections.

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