Bowdoin College
OP-T2-19: Native Plants

Native White Pines account for over 50% of the 1600 trees on campus, with Red Oak and Sugar Maples dominating the remaining species. The Pine remains the predominant and signature tree on campus, although throughout the College's history, large deciduous trees have been planted on the campus. The health of the trees is improved by increasing diversity of non-invasive species. Bowdoin's tree inventory requires planting of underrepresented and unrepresented native trees in order to avoid the introduction of monocultures. In site design, native shrub species are planted to minimize the impacts of the development process, reduce water use, and to reduce alteration as well as ecological disturbance. Site design strives to reconnect fragmented landscapes and establish contiguous networks with other natural systems both within the site and adjacent systems beyond its boundaries. Campus design standards attempt to avoid major alterations to sensitive topography, vegetation, and wildlife habitat.