SUU Honors Former President Sherratt, with Arbor Day Tree Planting
Published: August 29, 2016 | Read Time: 2 minutes
An active contributor to the Campus Tree Board, former Southern Utah University President Gerald Sherratt was the first to conceive of a plan to plant true cedar trees on campus.
As early as April this year, the SUU Campus Tree Board began making plans for an Arbor Day commemoration this autumn. It was in these planning stages that Gerald Sherratt, with a twinkle in his eye indicative of his characteristic enthusiasm, proposed his idea to get some true cedar trees planted in Cedar City.
“Don’t you think it’s strange that there aren’t any actual cedar trees in a City that’s named for them?” President Sherratt said on that occasion. It’s true, the pioneer settlers who named this city were actually referring to the Juniper trees which are abundant in the area’s foothills, but which come from an entirely different plant family. It’s like comparing Apples to Oranges, or, more accurately, Figs.
Thus, in the wake of his unfortunate passing, this year’s Arbor Day will be devoted to the memory of President Sherratt. On Wednesday August 31st, 2016, at 12:00 pm, the Tree Board will carry out plans to plant two large Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani) trees at the corner of Thunderbird Way and 300 West; and will dedicate the planting to the memory of this great leader, whose influence is as tangible, inspirational, and lasting as the stately cedar tree.
About the SUU Tree Board: Having recently achieved Tree Campus USA status through the Arbor Day Foundation, Southern Utah University now celebrates Arbor Day on an annual basis. The board features student, staff, faculty, and community members, and encourages participation from anyone with an interest in trees. Please join us for this commemorative event. Attendees are invited to help plant the trees by backfilling a few shovels full of soil into the planting hole. For more information about the SUU Tree Board or Tree Campus USA, please contact Professors Dean Winward or Fred Govedich.
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