Old Willow to be replanted on Old Main lawn April 19

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — After three years of growing in an on-campus nursery, the fourth generation Old Willow, one of Penn State’s most historically significant trees, is scheduled to be planted on the Old Main lawn at 4 p.m. Friday, April 19. To honor the occasion, the public is invited to attend the planting ceremony.

The third generation of Old Willow fell in a March 2021 windstorm, at which time horticulture technicians in the Office of Physical Plant carefully took cuttings and replanted them at an on-campus nursery in order to successfully grow an ‘offspring’ of Old Willow. This tradition goes back to 1859, when the original Old Willow was planted on campus by William G. Waring, professor of horticulture. The origins of that original willow tree (Salix babylonica ‘Pendula’) aren’t clear, but it is believed to come from a cutting taken by Penn State’s founding President Evan Pugh while traveling in Europe.

The original Old Willow, planted in 1859, fell in an August 1923 windstorm. A cutting of the tree had already been planted nearby in 1914 to ensure its continued legacy. The second-generation Old Willow shaded the Old Main lawn until the late 1970s, when it perished and was replaced by the third-generation tree, which grew until March 2021.

Old Willow is one of Penn State’s Heritage Trees, a program to distinguish historically, culturally and ecologically significant trees on campus.

“The history of Old Willow is inextricable to the history of Penn State,” said Bill Sitzabee, Penn State’s vice president of facilities management and planning and chief facilities officer. “Our Grounds Services team has been instrumental in continuing this 165-year tradition and we look forward to seeing the fourth generation of Old Willow grow into a mature tree in the many decades to come.”

Since 2021, OPP has grown 30 to 40 viable Old Willow descendants in its nursery, and in addition to the one being planted on the Old Main lawn, others were made available for planting at Penn State Commonwealth Campuses and other University locations.

The public ceremony to plant the fourth generation Old Willow is co-sponsored by OPP and the EcoAction student group. The ceremony will be held on the Old Main lawn, rain or shine, at 4 p.m. on April 19. No reservations required.