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The University of Tennessee at Martin is unlike the other institutions in the Midwest region for a variety of reasons. First of all, it is neither a garden nor an arboretum. It is a university that is part of the University of Tennessee system. Set in a rural location, the school focuses primarily on studies in education and agriculture. The campus is also known for its excellent grounds keeping, mainly attributed to Guy Robbins, a gentleman living in this town of 10,000 people. The presence of the single Metasequoia on the UTM campus shows that Metasequoias are available readily and growing well in many small towns and random stretches along highways at many places in the interior of the USA. UTM is in the most unique climate in the Midwest region. While it is still within the massive Eastern broadleaf continental forest, it is very close to the Lower Mississippi Riverine Forest. UTM is within Hardiness Zone 7, a warmer temperate zone. Winds are light, precipitation is above average, soil moisture is above average, and the dominant soil order is Alfisols. |
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It was pleasure learning about the Metasequoias in Martin when I spoke to Mr. Robbins on the telephone. In a town like this where the local economy more or less lives and depends on the university itself, it is no surprise that there are many connections between those who live in the town and the university. This Metasequoia story begins when I heard about Mr. Robbins, a now retired horticulturalist and grounds manager. In fact UTM won a Grand Award from the Professional Grounds Management Society in 1993, largely because of Guy Robbins. Robbins not only spearheaded the acquisition for Metasequoias at UTM, but the entire town of Martin. In 1975 he acquired and planted a single Metasequoia that he received from the National Arboretum. That tree is now 60 feet tall with a base 23 inches in diameter, a very reasonable size for only 30 years. It shows that these trees can thrive in the fairly warm, humid climate of the Mississippi. So while the statistics may indicate that this is not a great site, there is clearly a greater story behind the numbers. Robbins and others at the university spread the word around town and planted Metasequoias in many places. Knowing that the Bald Cypress grows well in the area, he figured that Metas would grow fine too. He was certainly right, although Cypresses are more suited to the warm swampy climate than Metas are. According to Robbins, there are Metasequoias throughout Martin, many planted by him in 1975 from seeds he received from the National Arboretum. Unfortunately he did not have the time to run around time and collect data, and frankly I canít blame him.University of Tennessee at Martin 544 University Street Martin, TN 38238 |
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