First tree for graduates planted

Last Monday, April 22, two graduation trees were planted in the Botanical Gardens. A magnolia tree and a cedar tree can now be found in the Evolution Garden, each with an adjacent bench. All graduates who obtained a Bachelor's or Master's degree since September 2022 can now admire "their" tree in the Botanical Gardens.

Inauguration
All graduates since September 2022 were invited to the inauguration, but there was a maximum capacity of thirty. A dozen graduates replied. They were welcomed at two o'clock in the conservatory of the Botanical Gardens. After a few short speeches from the organisation, Edwin Pos, Scientific Director of the Botanical Gardens, gave a short tour that included the two new trees.

The dozen alumni present expressed their enthusiasm for the initiative, which they found a suitable alternative for a graduation gift. “It's nice that the moment is being immortalised in this way. And it's sustainable too,” said an alumnus. The organisation wants to repeat this gathering every year and hopes for more participants.

The tree is a symbolic gift, says Margot van Sluis-Barten, Director of the University Fund. It immortalises graduation through something that can be passed on for generations and also symbolises the connection between generations, which is of great importance for both knowledge and sustainability.

The meeting was intended to congratulate the alumni, but also to raise awareness of the Utrecht Student Tree Fund.

“They’re actually very nice trees”
The planted trees have been carefully chosen by employees of the Botanical Gardens. The class of 2022-23 got a Magnolia acuminate, also known as "Blue Opal". It is a small tree now, but depending on the conditions, it can become four to seven metres high. As for the class of 2023-24, they were represented with a Calocedrus decurrens (cedar), which is a lot larger but can keep on growing to at least ten metres high. Both trees will live for generations.

The specimens, which are native to the United States, were chosen for their large size and remarkable characteristics, explains scientific director Edwin Pos. Besides, the trees are a nice addition to the Evolution Garden, which is currently being renovated. The magnolia is halfway through the garden and the cedar can be found by the new entrance. There are benches near the trees with a plaque indicating the graduation year.

Utrecht Student Tree Fund
The meeting highlighted the importance of the Utrecht Student Tree Fund (USB). The idea of planting trees as a graduation gift came from Tamara Luiken, a student representative in the University Council (from the Vuur party) and Ay Ling Thung, from the Green Office. In addition to the symbolic graduation gift, they also founded the USB, a fund that raises money for tree-planting projects. They hope to start a sustainable tradition of graduation gifts, says Matias Edelstein, a current student member of the University Council, also from Vuur. He adds that students often get flowers or meaningless graduation gifts, which are polluting because they cannot be used for long. By donating a tree, the university gives them something that can last a long time and is sustainable.

The USB is a collaboration between the Green Office and the Vuur party. It is supported by the University Fund. USB raises money for tree-planting projects and aims to raise more awareness of the need for biodiversity at the university. They are looking at possibilities in the province of Utrecht and would like to keep it as local as possible.