Campus Feature FFA Monument The Memorial Plaque remembers the founding of the Future Farmers of America and features the FFA motto, “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.” The memorial is a popular photo spot for FFA members to commemorate their achievements.
Campus Feature First Street Towers Native Landscaping First Street Towers, completed in 2009, was the first residential native landscaping project on campus. The facility has native plants mixed with traditional varieties (e.g. spring bulbs), but is centered on the native varieties, such as little bluestem grass, prairie dropseed, and deschampsia. The landscaping was accomplished with the active involvement of the Tower residents and managers, who identified various issues to be addressed by the Grounds Crew. The landscape currently being installed (and which…
IndoorCampus Feature FNR Hardwood – American Basswood Tilia Americana Summary Basswood is similar to the maples and ash in that it is the light-colored sapwood which is usually preferred. The color of the sapwood can vary from a very white color to a very light brown or flesh color. Board 1 represents the best material the species has to offer. There is very little grain pattern, and the wood can be easily dented with a fingernail. Small brown pin knots are evident.…
IndoorCampus Feature FNR Hardwood – American Beech Fagus grandifolia Summary Beech is a uniform grained wood and one of the most dense species presented here. It is low valued. The white sapwood is preferred. Young healthy trees will have wide, white sapwood and red-brown colored heartwood. Board 1 shows a characteristic flat sawn grain pattern. Boards 2 and 3 show small characteristic knots. Board 3 also shows the lightered colored sapwood in contrast to the heartwood. Board 4 shows a spalting pattern…
IndoorCampus Feature FNR Hardwood – American Chestnut Castanea dentate Summary American chestnut may have been the most important hardwood species in North America, but also the most ill-fated species. The tree is capable of rapid growth, attains a good size, and produces durable wood. The bark was used for tannin, and the chestnuts were a favorite of man and wildlife. Unfortunately, in 1904, a chestnut blight disease was introduced in New York. Within 50 years, the disease had spread throughout the entire…
IndoorCampus Feature FNR Hardwood – American Elm Ulmus Americana Summary This panel shows several different features of elm. Board 1 is a heavy rock elm; Boards 2, 3, and 5 are American elm. The heartwood in all four boards is a light tan color, and the sapwood is lighter as seen in the first piece. However, American and rock elm stain easily, and the lumber can be discolored by stain. Board 1 (rock elm) and Board 3 (American elm) are high quality…
IndoorCampus Feature FNR Hardwood – American Sycamore Platanus occidentalis Summary American Sycamore, or Plantanus occidentalis L., is a fast growing tree, but is not commonly used. Sycamore is used for furniture, drawer parts, pallets, and butcher blocks. The heartwood is a dark to reddish brown and the sapwood is whitish to light yellow. The rays are numerous and conspicuous to the eye. Looking at the panels on the walls from left to right, board one is clear and all sapwood. Board two…
IndoorCampus Feature FNR Hardwood – Black Cherry Prunus Serotina Summary Black Cherry, or Prunus serotina, has been used for a variety of things throughout history, with the most common use being fine furniture and cabinets. Cherry used to be used as a substitute for mahogany. Black cherry is usually a light pink color to dark red-brown, though the color will darken with exposure to sunlight. Cherry is one of our most beautiful and highly prized woods. When first machined, the heartwood color…
IndoorCampus Feature FNR Hardwood – Black Gum & Tupelo Nyssa sylvatica Summary Black gum, or Nyssa sylvatica Marsh., has been utilized for a number of practical uses in history such as concealed parts in furniture, veneer for containers, and more. The heartwood is somewhat greenish or brownish grey, while the sapwood is white to grayish white. Black gum is low in rating for steam bending and has zero resistance to decay. When studying the panels on the wall from left to right, Board 1…
IndoorCampus Feature FNR Hardwood – Black Locust Robinia pseudoacacia Summary Black locust has a history of being used in fence posts and railroad ties before the advent of modern wood preservation. Black locust ranges from greenish-yellow to dark brown when first cut. This wood is very resistant to decay and does not have a rating for steam bending. Looking at the panels from left to right, Board 1 shows a characteristic flat sawn appearance of the wood. Board 2 and Board 3…
