About MSU Shadows

Sycamore Trees at Spartan VillageThe MSU campus is a pristine and unique place because of the intensity and abundance of its tree cover. MSU has over 5,000 acres of a densely treed campus along with more than 3000 acres of forested farmlands around the main campus. There are 24,200 trees belonging to 1,885 different taxa represented in the MSU Campus Arboretum, which occupies the 2100 acres of the developed campus. The trees not only contribute to a very beautiful campus environment but are also a vast and invaluable resource for teaching, studying and conducting research.

MSU is very committed to the care and preservation of its campus trees, and there is a dedicated staff of qualified professionals assigned to that important task. However, despite the “extraordinary care” they provide, MSU Landscape Services has to perform regular tree removals, hazard abatement on the campus trees, and on adjacent forested properties. Trees are removed regularly for safety purposes, disease, insect remedial treatment, or during campus construction projects.

Historically wood harvested from these trees has been used primarily for firewood or biomass projects. In 2014 MSU formed the Sustainable Wood Recovery Initiate to look at a more sustainable approach to wood waste management.

The goal of the Initiate is to:

Develop a model recovery and repurposing supply-chain system for trees removed from MSU for the development of value-added products that provide economic, environmental and social benefits to MSU communities. The program also aims to serve as a pilot training model for forestry and other MSU students interested in urban wood recovery and processing.

The Sustainable Wood Recovery Initiate was formed in 2014 to look at a more sustainable approach to wood waste management.

Partners

Department of Forestry

Infrastructure Planning and Facilities - Landscape Services

Surplus Store

Sustainability