Ginkgo Trees
The photo above is a scene that lives in the memory of thousands— two golden ginkgoes shimmering against a blue sky. The ginkgo tree holds a spot of special honor on the Birmingham-Southern campus, and not for its simple beauty alone.
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Ginkgo Trees
⭐ Ginkgo Trees
Darwin called the ginkgo "a living fossil." Ginkgo biloba is the only remaining species of a venerable genus that flourished with the dinosaurs. The ginkgo is said to be the oldest living seed-bearing plant, and, as such, it has become a symbol of longevity and of hope.
Outdoor Classroom
Below one of our beautiful Ginkgo trees is an outdoor sitting area made up of metal chairs that are shaped as, you guessed it, Ginkgo leaves! This area has been appropriately named the 'outdoor classroom' as our students and faculty alike enjoy taking advantage of this space to gather for an occasional outdoor lecture/discussion. It's especially popular when the air starts to get cooler and the leaves start to change colors!
About The Ginkgo Trees
At Birmingham-Southern, our own beloved pair of ginkgoes have been part of the landscape for decades, bearing fruit, providing shade, brightening the skyline with fall and spring color, and passing into local legend. Members of the Birmingham-Southern community like to reminisce about the late Dr. John Strohl, a chemistry professor who started dozens of seedlings from our trees and passed them along, becoming our own academic "Johnny Appleseed."
Rooted deep near Munger Hall, these ginkgoes are part of our past and of our future. It seems fitting, then, that the ginkgo—our ginkgoes—should be a symbol of appreciation for that dedication. They grace the Hilltop and represent enduring qualities of generations of Birmingham-Southern alumni—the loyalty and generosity that nurture the continuing mission of our college and assure its success in an uncertain future.
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