University hosting Newport Arboretum Week activities

Salve Regina is hosting several activities in conjunction with Newport Arboretum Week, which calls attention to the city’s legendary urban forest that is now suffering from significant losses in its population of magnificent Gilded Age era trees.

Newport is the first city in the United States with four professionally accredited arboreta – the Newport Arboretum, the Newport Mansions Arboretum and the Arboretum at Salve Regina and the Frederick Law Olmsted Park and Arboretum.

For a full slate of Newport Arboretum Week activities across the city, visit the Newport Arboretum website.

Public lecture: “The Eden of America: Newport Landscapes Through the Ages”

6 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, Ochre Court, $10, purchase tickets

Award-winning architectural historian John Tschirch will discuss four centuries of landscape design and horticulture in Newport. The preservation of heritage sites of international significance is of foremost interest to Tschirch, who has lectured widely in the U.S. and abroad on architecture, landscapes and historic cities.

Tree stroll

2 p.m. Thursday, April 27, Ochre Court

Tour Salve Regina’s grounds and groves with Mike Chester, the University’s superintendent of grounds, and Scott Wheeler, Newport’s tree warden and buildings and grounds supervisor. Interested participants should meet at the front gates of Ochre Court.

Arbor Day recognition and tree planting

3:30 p.m. Friday, April 28, McLean House

In recognition of Arbor Day, members of the Salve Regina community are invited to this ceremonial tree planting at the home of Sister Therese Antone, University chancellor. The introduction of the Persian Ironwood, or Parrotia persica, will be the first of its type added to the Arboretum at Salve Regina collection. Light refreshments will be served.

Trolley tree tour

10 a.m. Saturday, April 29, Antone Academic Center, register for the tour

Christopher Fletcher of Bartlett Tree Experts will narrate this trolley tour of Newport’s accredited arboreta. Coffee and pastries will be available beginning at 10 a.m. in the Antone lobby, with the trolley departing at 10:30 a.m. Seating is limited and registration is required.