HSWT: 50 trees for the 50th anniversary

Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT) is celebrating its 50th birthday in 2021. A new tree is now growing for every year of its existence. The 50 newly planted trees form a walk-in arboretum. Many people have taken on tree sponsorships. This brings history and the present together.

The anniversary arboretum of Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT)is thriving on Weihenstephaner Berg . The educational institution is celebrating its 50th birthday under the motto “50 years of Applied Sciences for Life”. Each year is commemorated with a new tree. In total, many companions, graduates, friends and supporters have taken on a tree sponsorship. They all feel connected to the university’s past and want to accompany it into the future together. With the walkable tree trail, they are setting an example of solidarity. They want to support many generations to come in terms of recreation and information, study and research.

Over 200 years ago, a training company started in Weihenstephan. At first it was a fruit tree nursery. Thus began the tradition of the green training and research center in Weihenstephan. This first central nursery later became the Higher State Institute for Horticulture. From this, the State Research Institute for Horticulture finally emerged in the 1930s. And almost 30 years later, the research institute became an engineering school. With the creation of universities of applied sciences in the early 1970s, Weihenstephan also became a university of applied sciences. Consequently, on August 1, 1971, the School of Horticultural Engineering became the Weihenstephan University of Applied Sciences. This means that today’s Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences can look backon 50 years of historythis year.

All photos: HSWT

Over these five decades, the HSWT has dedicated itself to the life sciences relating to nature, the environment, nutrition and sustainability. Over the years, this has resulted in a unique profile. The starting point for all subjects is nature, people and all natural resources. Overall, the HSWT trains responsible engineers who will help shape the sustainable development of the future. HSWT is looking to the future, particularly in newly created courses such as the Master’s in Climate Change Management. It is facing up to the issues and challenges of sustainable development. These are already very important in science and society and will remain so for a long time to come.

Photos: HSWT

The location of the HSWT in Weihenstephan is characterized by thespirit of history and its architectural traces. According to legend, St. Corbinian built a cell here at the beginning of the 8th century after an apparition of an angel. The core buildings of the HSWT are still located on this site, the Weihenstephaner Berg. And this mountain is also home to the new Jubilee Arboretum. The new path with its 50 trees is located on its slopes. The path leads down the northern slope of the hill from the Weihenstephan footpath to Vöttinger Straße. Along the way, it introduces visitors to the diversity of the trees. At the same time, it explains their valuable contribution to climate protection and the ecosystem. But it’s not just visitors who learn here. The new arboretum is also used for teaching and research purposes. Here, young scientists and practitioners can observe how the different tree species deal with heat, for example. This is an important issue in times of climate change.

Photos: HSWT

For horticulture and landscape architecture students in particular, the arboretum is an outdoor lecture hall. Here they can see what they have learned in theory in reality and touch it with their own hands. Many generations will benefit from the newly planted trees. And it was precisely this look into the future that was important to HSWT on its anniversary. They wanted to set the course for sustainability for the coming decades. The 50 trees are a living reflection of HSWT’s consistent and future-oriented approach. After all, trees make a valuable contribution to protecting the climate. They store CO2 and therefore reduce the burden on the atmosphere. They also have a positive effect on the microclimate of cities. With transpiration, evaporation and shade, they make a positive contribution to urban quality of life. Trees have an equally important function for water and nutrient cycles and the preservation of biodiversity. With this in mind, the arboretum will serve science far beyond the anniversary year.

The new arboretum is not HSWT’s only contribution to sustainable development. Together with its tree sponsors, the university is also making contributions to a sustainable and ecologically healthy future elsewhere. In addition, every tree sponsorship supports the Bergwaldprojekt e.V. association. HSWT would also like to thank numerous tree sponsors. They all responded to a call from the university and chose one or more trees. Together as a duo, as a group or individually, they then financed them as a result. The sponsors include HSWT graduates, but also friends and supporters of the university, as well as the city of Freising, companies, businesses and institutions and HSWT professors. They all had their own personal reasons for becoming sponsors. But they all share the same values: a connection to nature and an awareness of sustainability.

Trees in the anniversary arboretum

The tree species for HSWT’s anniversary arboretum were selected by the director of the Weihenstephan Gardens. All of the trees are suitable for the location, which means that they can be expected to be suitably hardy and are also available in Europe. Apart from this, the trees selected are as diverse as possible. This is because diversity is needed for successful climate-favorable greening. The arboretum is therefore exemplary. Diversity grows here. Diversity increases the chances of greenery growing and thriving for a long time.

Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf recently added unusual plant compositions to another open space on the Vitra Campus in Weil am Rhein. See for yourself what awaits you on the grounds of the Vitra Design Museum.