Heritage Tree Map
For over 100 years, Clarke University has marked historic campus moments with tree plantings. From honoring a class to remembering a lost classmate or professor, our heritage trees are a beloved part of the campus community.
Though some information on heritage trees has been lost, the searchable table below catalogs the history available to us. You may review in full or search for years and memories you hold dear.
| Year | Name of Tree | Significance of Name | Type of Tree | Location | Status | Number on Tree Map |
| 1910 | Penelope | Wife of Odysseus and noted for her fidelity | Larch | In front of the east end of Eliza Kelly Hall near Clarke Drive | Existing (as of 2019) | 1 |
| 5/17/1911 | Fidelis | Latin for "Faithfulness" | 2 | |||
| 5/28/1912 | Minerva | Roman goddess of the liberal arts | 3 | |||
| 5/13/1913 | Multiple Pines | 4 | ||||
| 1915 | Electra | Persephones' companion in mythology | Cut-Leaf Maple | 5 | ||
| 1918 | Woodrow | Named for President Wilson and war effort | Elm Tree | Northeast Campus | 6 | |
| 4/27/1923 | Two Blue Spruces | Either side of future Mary Frances Hall entrance sidewalk | Non-Existing (last one destroyed by 1990's storm) | 7 | ||
| 1927 | Savitri | Possibly for the Hindu Princess Savitri (known for great wisdom/beauty) | Russan Olive | 8 | ||
| 5/17/1928 | Diane | Named for Roman goddess of chastity | Chestnut | In Front of Mary Frances Clarke Hall (last Mt. St. Joseph Tree) | Non-Existing | 9 |
| 5/22/1929 | Constance | Means "standing together" or "unchanged" in Latin | First Clarke College Tree | 10 | ||
| 1930 | Alethea | Possibly from the Greek word, Alethia, for "truth" | Mountain Ash | Near Recreation Building (Terence Donaghoe Hall's Physical Activity Center) | Non-Existing | 11 |
| 1931 | Galahad | The knight who was successful in the quest for the Holy Grail, according to late Arthurian legend | Arbor Vitae | Possibly in front of Eliza Kelly Hall | Existing (as of 2019) | 12 |
| 5/24/1932 | Parsifal | Title character in Wagner's musical drama about knights of the Holy Grail | Possibly Evergreen | 13 | ||
| 1934 | Centenia | 100th anniversary of founding of BVM's | Japanese Juniper | In front of Cloister Walk | Removed in 1993 in Kehl Center Construction | 14 |
| 1935 | Amaranth | Greek for "Unfading" | 15 | |||
| 1936 | Theodmetos | Possibly after Thedotos, Christian Martyr/Saint (6/7 feast day) | 16 | |||
| 1937 | Thusia | Means "that which is offered," (from annual ancient festival near Athens) | Mary Frances Hall Campus | 17 | ||
| 1938 | Euboulia | Means "benevolent" | 18 | |||
| 1939 | Phosphoros | Greek for "shining light" | 19 | |||
| 1940 | Thelema | Will of God | Tulip Tree | 20 | ||
| 1941 | Alce | Possible Latin reference to griffin in mythology | East of old chapel near Mary Bertrand Hall front entrance | Non-Existing | 21 | |
| 1942 | MacArthur | Probably after W.W. II general | 22 | |||
| 5/20/1943 | Nike | Greek for "Victory" (a reference to Second World War) | White Birch | Front Campus | Non-Existing | 23 |
| 1944 | Vulcan | Named after Roman god of fire because of successful class attempt to get a Smoker Room on campus | Ash (for cigarette "ash") | Cloister Walk Campus | Non-Existing | 24 |
| 1945 | Eirene | Greek for "Peace" (end of W.W. II) | 25 | |||
| 1946 | Didymos | Means "double" in Greek | Twin Pine Trees | 26 | ||
| 1948 | Amygdale | Latin for "almond" | 27 | |||
| 1949 | Didyma (Possibly) | Given a name for twins | Twin Dogwoods (Cynoxolyn) | Left of Mary Frances Hall Main Entrance | Non-Existing | 28 |
| 1950 | Semyda | Greek for Silver Birch | Silver Birch? | Mary Frances Hall Campus | Non-existing | 29 |
| 5/24/1951 | Twin Golden Chains (Chrysodidymoi) | Campus Park | 30 | |||
| 5/22/1952 | Homophrosynai | Represents concord and unity of the class | Twin Dwarf Evergreens | Behind MFH by Our Lady of the Sunset Statue | Non-Existing | 31 |
| 1953 | Chrysodidymoi | In front of Eliza Kelly Hall | Non-Existing | 32 | ||
| 5/19/1954 | Magnolia | In front of Cloister Walk | Removed in 1993 in Kehl Center construction; new replanted near street | 33 | ||
| 5/19/1955 | Imaginary Tree | Planted in front of a building not yet begun (MJH) thus imaginary | An Imaginary Tree | In front of an imaginary building (the yet to be constructed Mary Josita Hall) | The tree is still imaginary but the imaginary building became MJH | 34 |
| 5/16/1957 | Possibly in front of Rose O'Toole Hall | 35 | ||||
| 5/15/1958 | Possibly in front of Mary Josita Hall near entrance | 36 | ||||
| 5/19/1959 | Possibly "Sister Lucilda" | Dedicated to Lucilda O'Connor, BVM, the senior class advisor | Japanese Yew | East of Mary Josita Hall Main Entrance (or front of MJH) | Non-Existing | 37 |
| 5/17/1960 | Latin for "O Tree of Festive Beauty" | Hill almost under but just south of Mary Josita Hall bridge | Non-Existing | 38 | ||
| 5/17/1961 | Lo hicimos! | Spanish for " We did it" (reference to completion of graduation requirements) | Possibly a Yew,originally, but Viburnum lentago (Nannyberry) planted as replacement | Ten feet in front of Mary Josita Hall between center door and west end of building to the east of sidewalk; right of MJH entrance for replanted tree | First tree died; second tree planted on the occasion of the 50th homecoming of the class of 1961 | 39 |
| 5/17/1962 | Red Bud | In front of Mary Josita Hall (next to sidewalk, near street) | Non-Existing | 40 | ||
| 5/22/1963 | Hekaton Eikos | Greek for the number, "120," as they were the 120th Clarke graduation class | Possibly Maple | Behind Mary Josita Hall (South of Volleyball court) | Non-existing (lost in a storm in 2026). | 41 |
| 5/20/1964 | Latin for Small but mighty (as was our class) | Redbud | Front of MJH on the east of sidewalk entrance | Non-Existing | 42 | |
| 1965 | Il Coraggio Essere (Italian for "the courage to be") | Courage to be what we become after Clarke | Tulip Tree | Front Center of Mary Josita Hall near door (outside dorm room of class president Shelia Bregner) | Existing (as of 2019) | 43 |
| 5/18/1966 | Lacrima | Latin for "Tears" | Weeping Willow | Between Mary Josita and Mary Benedict Halls | Non-Existing | 44 |
| 5/24/1967 | The Sweetheart Tree | So named because many class members were engaged to be married | Linden | Between Mary Benedict Hall and Mary Josita Hall (in front) | Existing (as of 2019) | 45 |
| 5/22/1968 | Quixote | After Don Quixote (means a spirit of optimism and hope) | Silver Maple or Larch | Front campus between MBH and MJH | Existing (as of 2019) | 46 |
| 5/7/1969 | Aquarius | Zodiak sign and popular 60's song | Dogwood | 47 | ||
| 5/7/1970 | Sun Dance Tree | Named for the Sundance Kid in the movie, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid | Flowering Tulip Tree | Behind Mary Benedict Hall | Served as an impromtu memorial to Kent State deaths (Non-Existing) | 48 |
| 1971 | Son of a Bush | Word play on an expletive | Maple | West of Mary Benedict Hall main entrance sidewalk, near pines | Existing (as of 2012) | 49 |
| 5/5/1972 | Woodstalk | Word play on "Woodstock" from Peanuts comic strip | Oak | Mary Benedict Hall Campus | Non-Existing | 50 |
| 5/2/1973 | Shady Character | Play on "Shade Tree" | Decidous | West of chapel on Mary Bertrand Campus | Non-Existing | 51 |
| 1974 | Elma Mater | Play on "Alma Mater" | Linden Tree | In front of Physical Activities Center (PAC) | Died from disease and was removed in May, 2010 replantes as an ornamental pear | 52 |
| 5/1/1975 | Great Waldo Willow | Named for Waldo Pepper, W.W. I Flying Ace (after a movie about him at the time) | Weeping Willow | Outside Mary Frances Clarke Hall, across from Eliza Kelly Hall (planted to replace willow killed by summer storm) | Non-Existing | 53 |
| 4/29/1976 | Martha | Sought to honor "Mother" of our country on bicenntenial of U.S. | Cherry Tree | West of Terence Donaghoe Hall in middle of green space | Non-Existing | 54 |
| 5/15/1977 | Shady Lady | Play on tree shade and person of questionable character | Maple | Planted west of Mary Bertrand Hall Chapel, removed in 2/86 during construction and replanted 6/86 | Final location is "behind walkway in line of pines" (probably next to MJH main entrance sidewalk). Removed in 2005 for Street Lighting | 55 |
| 1978 | Treevolta | Probably after actor John Trevolta | Saucer Magnolia | In front of Catherine Byrne Hall next to sidewalk entrance | Existing (as of 2012) | 56 |
| 1979 | Tree-2, D-2 | Play on " R2 D2" in Star Wars Movie | Deciduous | Front of CBH (by entrance) | Non-Existing | 57 |
| 1980 | Gusto | After a Dubuquer nicknamed "Gusto" in honor of the Schlitz beer commercial!! | Flowering Crab | 58 | ||
| 4/28/1981 | Treedition | Pays tribute to the Clarke tradition of being a women's college by the last all female graduating class | Red Maple | Across street from Mary Josita Hall, behind the stone bench | Existing (as of 2019) | 59 |
| 1982 | Curiositree | Word play on "Curiosity" | Ash | Across street from Mary Josita Hall, behind the stone bench | Existing (as of 2019) | 60 |
| 1983 | Eighty-Tree | Word play on the year | Deciduous | Front campus near street between Mary Josita Hall & Mary Bertrand Hall | Non-Existing | 61 |
| 1984 | Our Tree | Variation of "Our House" Song | Flowering Deciduous | East of CBH entrance near st. | Non-Existing | 62 |
| 1985 | Phoenix | Mythic bird which rose from the ashes like Clarke College from the 1984 Fire | Flowering Crab | Behind Mary Frances Hall | Removed in Student Activity Center construction in 1999 | 63 |
| 1986 | Eighty-Sticks | Humorous reference to the year and the tree | Linden | In front of Catherine Byrne Hall (eastern end) | Removed in 2013 for new Science Building | 64 |
| 1987 | A Tree [clear you throat] Uhm | Humorous reference to newly erected Clarke atrium | Purple Leaf Plumb | Probably in front of Catherine Byrne Hall | Non-Existing | 65 |
| 1988 | A Crying Shame | Refers to type of tree | Weeping Willow | West of Terence Donaghoe Hall near back of building | Original tree died but was replanted on 4/27/90. (Existing). Replanted tree uprooted in July 2005 storm | 66 |
| 5/3/1989 | Synergy | Emphasizes global community outlook | Crab Apple | In front of Mary Josita Hall | Needs replanting and sign put back, died but replanted 8/25/2019 | 67 |
| 5/1/1990 | Steel Magnolia | After movie of the same name about women of empowerment | Pink Magnolia (Soulangena) | Front middle of Catherine Byrne Hall (close to building) | Existing (as of 2019) | 68 |
| 5/2/1991 | White Oak | South campus, below atrium | Died in about 1996 | 69 | ||
| 1992 | Unforgettable Moments | Probable reference to Clarke's impact on their lives | Red Maple | The Point | Removed in construction of Apartment Building | 70 |
| 1994 | Julio | Named after the dog of John Lease, of the music faculty. Julio often saw the chior off on its tours. | Silver Maple | Near the Point (where West Locust Street and Clarke Drive meet) | Relocated to right of main sidewalk of MBH (Existing as of 2010) | 71 |
| 1995 | Green Ash | Near the Point | Relocated to right of main sidewalk entrance for MBH (Existing as of 2010) | 72 | ||
| 1995 (Oct.) | Annie | Honors former faculty member and Clarke administrator, Ann Siegnst, BVM upon the ocassion of her wake. | Blue Spruce | Midway between the Atrium and Mary Josita Hall on Clarke Drive side of the center sidewalk | Existing (as of 2019) | 73 |
| 1996 | Scarlet Oak | Near the Point | Died in summer of 2001 of drought | 74 | ||
| 5/8/1997 | Elephant | An ironic reverse reference to its size | Fat Albert (Drawf Blue Spruce) | Left of main sidewalk entrance to Mary Frances Hall | Existing, and a replacement for Blue Spruce planted in 1923 groudbreaking | 75 |
| 1998 | Diana Teresa | After Princess Diana and Mother Teresa who had recently died | Autum Blaze Maple | Right of Mary Frances Hall Entrance | Existing (as of 2019) | 76 |
| 1998 | Memorial for last five BVMs living on campus | Grove of Lindens and flowering crabs | Front of Catherine Byrne Hall near Mary Miske Center for Science Inquiry entrance | Existing as of 2026 | 77 | |
| 1999 | Truman | From the movie, The Truman Show | Dwarf Flowering Crab | Grass island, northwest corner of Mary Frances Hall parking lot | Existing-Signage needed (as of 2019) | 78 |
| 2000 | Kristen | After Kristen Meissner (then Director of Student Activities) | Flowering Crab | Northeast corner of Aumnae Lecture Hall | Existing (as of 2019) | 79 |
| 2001 | Remembrance | After song about remembrance | Red Maple | Rectangular green space, in front of Apartment Building by circular patio | Existing- First tree died in 2003 and was replaced with Red Maple | 80 |
| 5/2/2002 | Apogee | Means "zenith" or "high point" of their achievements (also was class to graduate 10,000th Clarke student) | Emerald Maple | In front of library by Mary Josita Hall (near side walk) | Existing- First tree died in 2019 and was replaced on 8/25/2019 | 81 |
| 2003 | The Service Tree | Honors 200 hours of Clarke Community Service on the occasion of the 200th birthday of Mary Frances Clarke. | Maple | Between Clarke Drive and the Cornerstone monument near Eliza Kelly Hall | Existing (as of 2019) | 82 |
| 5/1/2003 | Francis | Named for St. Francis of Assisi in honor of his love of nature and advocacy for peace | Royal Red Maple | Behind the west end of Mary Josita Hall | Existing (as of 2019) | 83 |
| 4/27/2004 | Hero | Refers to all heroes in our lives, especially post 9/11 heroes | Honey Locust | Near lower end of west driveway to TDH parking lot | Existing (as of 2019) | 84 |
| 5/3/2005 | Legacy | Honors the legacies of soon to retire Clarke President, Catherine Dunn, and recently deceased Pope John Paul II | Ornamental Pear | Front middle campus of CBH (2nd tree from left in Congregation Grove as you face the building) | Needs replanting and sign put back | 85 |
| 5/2/2006 | Catherine | Honored Clarke President Catherine Dunn, BVM upon her retirement that spring. | White Oak | Right of front entrance sidewalk to Mary Frances Hall. | Existing (as of 2019) | 86 |
| 5/1/2007 | Believe | So named because if the class didn't believe in itself it would never have gotten this far (also a theme of the nursing graduates) | Prarie Crab Apple | Near upper end of west driveway to TDH parking lot. | Existing (as of 2019) | 87 |
| 4/28/2008 | Lucy | Memorial Tree in honor of Lucilda O'Connor, BVM who served Clarke from 1943-1998 | Northern Red Oak | In front of Catherine Byrne Hall (near sidewalk on east end) | Existing (as of 2019) | 88 |
| 4/28/2008 | Serendipity (last Spring tree planting) | While coming to Clarke may have been accidental, profound changes have occurred for the class here. The name also designates good luck for the future. | Autum Blaze Maple | In front of Catherine Byrne Hall (near the east end) | Existing (as of 2019) | 89 |
| 9/27/2008 | Kathy | Memorial Tree in honor of Kathy Decker who served Clarke in the Keller Computer Center from 1974-2006 | Northwood Maple | In front of Mary Frances Hall to the left of front entrance and behind memorial stone bench | Existing (as of 2019) | 90 |
| 2009 (9/10/2008) | The Thinking Tree (First Fall tree planting) | Represents being taught to think for ourselves at Clarke College | Chinkapin Oak | Behing Mary Benedict Hall beyond the drive (left of Pin Oak) | Existing (as of 2019) | 91 |
| 2010 (9/10/2008) | Branches of Time | Our roots (past values and traditions) bond the branches of time. | Pin Oak | Behind Mary Benedict Hall beyond the drive (right of Chinkapin Oak) | Died and replaced in 2014 (Existing as of 2019) | 92 |
| 2011 (9/10/2008) | Universitree | Play on words being the first graduates of Clarke University | Swamp White Oak | Behind Mary Benedict Hall beyond the drive (right of Burr Oak) | Existing (as of 2019) | 93 |
| 2012 (9/10/2008) | The Whomping Willow | Honors the protective tree in the Harry Potter book and movie series | Burr Oak | Behind Mary Benedict Hall beyond the drive (left of Swamp White Oak) | Replanted in 2010 after first tree died (Existing as of 2019) | 94 |
| 2012 (4/26/2012) | The Wangari Maathai | Honors Dr. Maathai for her efforts in conservation through tree planting, human rights, and women's issues | Blue Spruce | In front of the east wing of Mary Frances Clarke Hall | Existing (as of 2019) | 95 |
| 2013 (9/2/2009) | #Tree | Refers to the advent and online explosion of micro blogging with social media sites such as Twitter. With that, the hashtag (#), became an iconic part of life for the class of 2013. | Iseli Foxtail Spruce | Behind Mary Josita Hall, across from the kitchen access drive) | Existing (as of 2019) | 96 |
| 2014 (9/15/2010) | Single Jon | Specifically for Jon Heidler, a senior who quipped about being single since freshmen year; more generally for all seniors as they aren't afraid to be themselves. | Northern Red Oak | Behind Mary Josita Hall nearer Locust Street | Existing (as of 2019) | 97 |
| 2015 (9/14/2011) | Endurance | Refers to 4 years of growth and overcoming hardships with help from "coffee". | Kentucky Coffee Tree | Behind Mary Josita Hall and beyond Mulberry Tree | Existing (as of 2019) | 98 |
| 2016 (9/12/2012) | Groot | Named for the character "Groot" from the movie Guardians of the Galaxy; this name shows the connectedness between class members and their Clarke roots. | Scarlet Red Oak | Middle of green space just west of Terence Donaghue Hall | Existing (as of 2019) | 99 |
| 2017 (9/11/2013) | Nicole | Honors the life and spirit of deceased class member, Nicole Thing | Variegated Norway Maple | Nearer street in green space west of Terrace Donaghoe Hall | Existing (as of 2019) | 100 |
| 2018 (9/10/2014) | Sader for Life | Honors the University moniker "Crusader" which was retired their senior year in favor of "The Pride." | Northern Red Oak | Front of Mary Frances Hall and left of entrance | Existing (as of 2019) | 101 |
| 2019 (9/9/2015) | A-Tree-um | Word play on "tree" and "Atrium" where students hung out | Cleveland Flowering Pear | Northwest corner of Sacred Heart Chapel | Existing (as of 2019) | 102 |
| 2020 (9/14/16) | The Last Crusader | Represents Class Transition from being "crusaders" to becoming "the pride" | Ginko biloba (Autumn Gold) | Northwest corner of Alumnae Lecture Hall | Existing (as of 2019) | 103 |
| 2021 (9/13/17) | Quarantree | Referenc to the COVID-19 Pandemic | Royal Red Maple | In front of the Physical Activies Center | Existing (as of 2019) | 104 |
| 2022 (9/12/18) | Vincere (first name not in English since 1965) | Latin for "Overcome." References the class triumphs in overcoming their trials and tribulations, like COVOD-19 | Fall Fiesta Sugar Maple | Near Half Practice Field (behind blue shed) | Existing (as of 2019) | 105 |
| 2023 (9/11/19) | Twenty-Tree | Word play on the year of graduation | Tulip Tree | Left of Mary Josita Hall Campus Near Steps | Existing (as of 2019) | 106 |
| 2024 (9/19/20) | Unforgotten | Despite all the obstacles of the pandemic, the achievements of this class will never be forgotten | Burr Oak | Back Angel Campus near West Locust Street | Existing (as of 2023) | 107 |
| (2021) | Graziano | Memorial for Dr. Frank Graziano | Rising Fire American Hornbeam | Near Mary Miske Center for Science and Inquiry Greenhouse | Existing (as of 2026) | 108 |
| (2021) | Wahlert | Memorial for Board of Trustee Emeritus Bob Wahlert | White Oak | Atrium Front Lawn | Existing (as of 2026) | 109 |
| 2025 (9/1/21) | Timberfelli | Honors recently retired Psychology faculty member Tim Bofelli | Flash Fire Maple | Between TDH and Pit Parking Lot, near the street | Existing (as of 2025) | 110 |
| 2026 (8/31/22) | Going Places | First post-pandemic class is going many places after graduation | Maple | In front of Shrupp Library | Existing (as of 2022) | 111 |
| (4/22/2023) | Champion | In honor of the 2023 Clarke Women's Basketball National Championship | State Street Maple | In front of the Goodman Center | Existing (as of 2026) | 112 |
| 2027 (8/30/23) | Tulip Tree | In Front of Mary Frances Hall West Wing next to Bus Stop | Existing (as of 2023) | 113 | ||
| (9/30/2023) | acer platanoides | Honors Biology Faculty member Laura E. Birch, Ph.D., who served from 1997-2022. | Princeton Gold Maple | Behind where Eliza Kelly and Catherine Burne Halls meet. | Existing (as of 2026) | 114 |
| 2028 (9/13/24) | Scarlet Oak | Atrium lawn near Atrium sidewalk and Clarke Drive | Existing (as of 2024) | 115 | ||
| 2029 (9/12/25) | Norwegian Sunset Maple | Across the street from the PAC near the sidewalk | Existing (as of 2025) | 116 | ||
| 2030 (8/24/26) | Prairie Stature Oak | Atrium lawn near Atrium sidewalk and Clarke Drive | Existing (as of 2026) | 117 |