Length:              Roundtrip tour through campus; 4 3/4 miles

                            Dairy Bar to Letterbox;  1/4 mile

                            Visitors Center to Letterbox; 3/4 mile

                            North Hillside Road Climb; 2 miles round trip

                            Off Campus Bikeway; 2.6 miles to Four-Corners or 1.8 mile short-loop.

                             Separatist Road Bikeway; 1 1/4 miles

                             Easy drive by if you know the site. With a campus map you can start just about anywhere along the route.

Difficulty:          Easy. Paved sidewalks throughout the campus.

                             Moderate; North Hillside Road Climb and Hunting Lodge Road Bikeway. Hill climbs.

From I-84, take exit 68. Head south down Route 195 to Storrs, CT and the UCONN Campus. As you head down the hill into the campus, you’ll pass by the Towers Dorms on your right, then the yellow Dairy Barn on your left. After passing by the greenhouses of the Agricultural Biotechnology Buildings on your left, take the next left and proceed down the road, taking another left at the White Building. This brings you to the Dairy Bar parking lot. If you wish to shorten your journey to the Letterbox, you may park near the Visitors Center or simply pick up a campus map from there before you get started. To get to the Visitors Center, continue down Route 195 until you come to North Eagleville Road and take a right. You will see plenty of campus signs directing you to the Visitors Center.

Note: Free parking is limited on campus during the weekday, however, after 4pm and on weekends and holidays you'll have no problems. There is a parking garage near the Visitors Center, but parking at the Dairy Bar is free, although there is a time limit during the weekdays. All the buildings on campus have blue signs in front of them with there names. The campus map is displayed on blue sign boards throughout the campus. For maps and directions visit;  UCONN

Dendrology is the scientific study of trees. As a Forestry and Wildlife major at the University of Connecticut, I had to learn how to identify trees and shrubs from their leaves, buds, bark and even their smell. This allowed me to be able to identify trees in the middle of winter. As the years have progressed however, I find myself having a harder time identifying the tree species. So, in order to refresh my memory, what better way than to devise a Letterbox that identifies trees and shrubs along the route to the Letterbox. If you have kids, they’ll love to learn the tree names. I’ve also devised the clues to reach the Letterbox, as a tour of the campus and its buildings. Uconn also offers a self-guided tour of the campus’s unusual trees. For an on-line map visit; UCONN TREE GUIDE .

Note: The campus is continuously adding new buildings, so detours may spring up every now and then. I’ll try to update these clues as often as possible when new buildings arise or old ones are torn down. This includes the trees. Last updated September 2008.

                             GO HUSKIES!

Starting from the southeast corner of the White Building, find the American Sycamore tree (no tag). Head south between the Young Building (College of Agriculture) and the Ratcliffe Hicks Building, passing by a Crab Apple tree (tag #2065) on your right. From the front steps of the College of Agriculture, go past the second European Birch (#2036) on the left, and then cross over Route 195 via the crosswalk. Head up the sidewalk, to the left of the UCONN sign, to the flagpole at the top of the hill. Continue past the flagpole to Beach Hall, admiring the lawns as they sweep down towards Route 195. At the east corner of Beach Hall is a massive American Beech (#1103). Go around the back side of Beach Hall and spot the Presidents Garden to your left. It is opposite Gully Hall, which houses the offices of the University President and Chancellor. Take a left out of the garden and pass by a group of Japanese Maples (#1468-1478) on your right. Continuing southeast, spot a Black Pine (#1138) on your left and a massive European/Copper Beech (#1350) on your right across the parking lot. Pass by Manchester Hall on your left and arrive at Mirror Lake. Take the sidewalk around the right side of the lake. You’ll pass a large White Willow (#1167) along the left side. Continue to the southern end of the lake, then turn right and cross over Mansfield Road to the Music Building. Head right and spot the tall green obelisk at the rear of the building. Behind it is the Von Der Mehden Recital Hall.  Head left through the courtyard to the Music Library (circular, green glass building). This is the 0.8 mile mark. Then bear right out to Coventry Road. Turn right down the sidewalk and cross Coventry Road at the crosswalk. This will take you to the South Campus Residence Halls. Pass behind Hall A and Hall B, then turn right and pass between Hall B and Rome Commons & Dining Hall. The public may eat here if it’s open. Continue straight out to Gilbert Road and cross over to the campus walkway at 1 ¼ miles. This brick lined walkway travels north-south through the center of campus with numerous benches along the way. It takes you over Whitney Road and past the Dodd Research Center, which houses the University’s archives and special collections. Take a quick left up the sidewalk to the front plaza and check out the 12 ton granite book. The Homer Babbidge Library is right next door. The Bookworms Café is located just off the plaza inside the Library for a quick snack. Continue down the walkway behind the Library and just after you pass by the loading dock, turn right along the sidewalk that follows the access road. The big open field is where the old Co-op sat. Take the sidewalk left around Hawley Armory until you come to a road. Straight ahead is Koons Hall. Go around the right side of Koons Hall and down to Mansfield Bus Way. This is a large sidewalk, but is also used by the University’s busses, so stay alert. Head left (north) here and pass in front of the Wilbur Cross Building on your left at 1.8 miles. This used to be the campus library and its golden-domed cupola is a focal point on campus. To your right you’ll spot the familiar flagpole across the green. In front of you to the right is the CLAS Building (Collegeof Liberal Arts and Sciences). Turn left along the right side of Wilbur Cross and between Storrs Hall, the oldest brick building on campus and go to the back of Wilbur Cross. Directly across from Wilbur Cross is the Benton Museum of Art. Go down to the stone patio and enjoy the shade, benches and water fountain. This was the old entrance for the Museum. Directly between the Museum and Wilbur Cross is a large White Oak (#6362). Go around the left side of the Museum to its new front entrance at 2 miles. They have a gift shop and cafe inside. Next, go around the old sun dial, which is near the end of the Student Union Mall. The Gentry Building is on the north side of the sun dial, so head south (left) between the Student Union Mall on your right and the Center for Undergraduate Education to your left. You'll come to the north entrance of the Library and the East-West Campus Walkway. Notice the Oak leaf brick design in the walkway. Turn right and head up the walkway passing the School of Engineering's Information Technology Building on your left. Turn left just past this building and pass between it and the Business Building. In the middle of this large courtyard is a sculpture that kind of resembles the Leaning Tower of Pizza next to some granite steps that descend into the earth. Head to the right of the Whetten Graduate Center passing between the Graduate Residence Halls to your right and the Dodd Center parking lot on your left. You'll pass the West Campus Residence Halls to your right. This brings you back to Gilbert Road. Cross over to the sidewalk that heads towards South Campus's Hall C. Here you’ll spot two Shagbark Hickory trees (#12579/12580) on your left. Go around the right side of Hall C to the Nathan Hale Inn, where you can enjoy lunch at the cafe and bar. Head back to Gilbert Road by passing through the Alumni Residence Halls located to your left. Take Gilbert Road left up to Hillside Road, cross over and turn right. Pass by the Museum of Natural History and come to the Co-op Bookstore at 3 miles with its attached parking garage.

Note; Separatist Road Bikeway detour starts here. See clues below.

You then come to the dome of the Gampel Pavilion, home of the national champion men’s and women’s basketball teams. You can usually take a quick tour inside. Next comes the Field House and directly across the street is the Student Union. There are eateries located within, as well as a new movie theatre. When you reach the end of the Field House and Student Union turn left around the right side of the Field House. The track and field oval is to your left. The Alumni House is on the right with the new addition of the Husky Heritage Sports Museum. Go around the Alumni House to Alumni Drive and take a right down the hill. You’ll pass the UCONN Foundation on your right; it contains a lovely garden out back. You come back to Hillside Road again. Straight ahead is the Jorgensen Auditorium, with year round performances. To your left is the north parking garage and beyond that is the Visitors Center. Head down to the Visitors Center at 3 ¾ miles and check it out if you haven’t already.

Note; For two more biking detours from here See; North Hillside Road Climb and Off Campus Bikeway below.

Then head east up North Eagleville Road, in front of the Science Complex. Pass by the new Biology/Physics building to your right, great views from its top floor, which also contains a greenhouse. Pass by the Life Sciences Building and turn right at 4 miles. This will bring you to the new Pharmacy/Biology Building with its massive green (copper) exterior. Just past this is the Central Utility Plant, which has just added a new power plant and a massive smokestack. Directly opposite the Biology/Physics Building is my favorite building on Campus; the Chemistry Building. A work of art that has won many architectural awards. Travel around the right to the front of the building where it overlooks Swan Lake. Continue out to Glenbrook Road and turn right, passing the small Planetarium next to the lake. Here sits a large Scots Pine (#8180). Continue along the lake to the junction of Glenbrook Road and North Eagleville Road.  At this corner spot a couple of Japanese Larch trees (#8003/8004). Cross over North Eagleville Road and spot some stone steps leading up through a Hemlock and Mountain Laurel grove. At the bottom of the stairs to your right is an American Holly (no tag). At the top of the steps you’ll see a "Little Stone House".  In 1937, the Connecticut Grange built this stone house that "now" contains stones from all 50 states. Enter the Stone House and from its back archway, take a compass reading of 246 degrees. Walk to a White Pine with a large boulder on your left and two split rocks on your right. Go to the north side of the left split rock and under its ledge, behind a flat rock is the Dendrology 101 Letterbox. About 4 ½ miles to this point. Return to North Eagleville Road and head left to Route 195. Cross over at the crosswalk and turn left. When you come to the road to the Dairy Bar, cross over to the diagonal path that will take you to the greenhouses of the Agricultural Biotechnology Buildings. The Dairy Bar is right next door. About a 4 ¾ mile round trip.

North Hillside Road Climb; From the Visitors Center, cross North Eagleville Road to North Hillside Road. There is a sidewalk that leads up this road. About ¼ mile up on your left will be the turn-off for the Hunting Lodge Road Bikeway next to the blue security phone. Just past this point are the new tennis courts on your left. The turn-off for the Charter Oak Apartments is at 0.6 miles. Straight will take you to Route 44 in the future when they complete this road. Heading right up to Charter Oak will lead you on a loop around the apartment complex and back down Hillside Road for a total round trip of about 2 miles.

Off Campus Bikeway; From the Visitors Center, cross North Eagleville Road to North Hillside Road. There is a sidewalk that leads up this road. About ¼ mile up on your left will be the turn-off for the Hunting Lodge Road Bikeway next to the blue security phone. The trail surface is paved but in a bit of rough shape as it takes you behind the Motor Pool. Hold your nose as you pass by the sewage treatment plant. Here, you enter the woods and emerge at 0.8 miles at the Celeron Apartment complex. Pass through the complex to the main road and turn left. This will bring you to Hunting Lodge Road.

From here you have two options:

• Option A; Turn left and loop back to the Visitors Center.
• Option B; Turn right and travel all the way to Four-Corners (Junction of Routes 44 & 195).

Option A; Turn left along the paved trail and a cross-walk gets you across Hunting Lodge Rd in front of the Carriage House Apartments. The trail then travels south alongside Hunting Lodge Rd and out to North Eagleville Rd at 1.5 miles. Turn left and follow the sidewalk along N Eagleville Rd passing by the Uconn Police & Fire Dept. before returning to North Hillside Rd for a 1.8 mile loop.

Option B; Turn right and the paved trail takes you north alongside Hunting Lodge Road. The trail is in much better shape here. At mile 1.2 a parking lot for the Hillside Environment Park is on your right. Hiking trails located here. When you reach the intersection with Birch Road at 1 ½ miles the trail currently ends . 

Note; They are planning on extending the paved trail out to the Route 44 trail during the Fall of 2009. As of September, 2009 work has yet to begin.

However, you may continue on-road for a short distance to pick up the paved trail again. Take a right on Birch Road and stay straight at the fork in the road. Just before you reach Route 44 after 0.4 miles on-road, the paved trail will pick up again on your right and parallel Route 44. You'll pass by the Grand Union plaza at 2.4 miles and then come to CVS at the Four-Corners intersection of Route 195 where the trail ends after 2.6 miles.

While on Campus you can take a walk across Horsebarn Hill from a path that starts to the East of the White Building or go along Horsebarn Hill Road and visit the horse barn and other animal barns. The kids love this. This all occurs after you’ve had some of the best ice cream in the state at the Dairy Bar. Enjoy!

CRAB APPLE: Medium sized tree with a short trunk and stout, spreading branches. Stout, short twigs with leaves in close and tight. Dark brown bark, broken into irregular flaky plates.

AMERICAN BEECH: Massive trunk with smooth gray bark, leaves hang on tree after they have died in the fall. Long pointed spear like buds.

EUROPEAN BEECH: Similar to American Beech, except the leaves are copper or deep purple in color. Ornamental. Also called Copper Beech.

EUROPEAN BIRCH: An ornamental tree similar to the more common White Birch (or Paper Birch) that has white, peeling bark. Leaves are triangular shaped with pointy tips.

WINGED EUONYMUS: A shrub with conspicuous and distinctive corky wings on the branch lets.

SHAGBARK HICKORY: Tall tree with a straight trunk distinguished by its bark, which is broken into long, loose, flattened plates with the ends curving away from the trunk giving a shaggy appearance.

AMERICAN HOLLY: A shrubby looking tree with a pyramid-shaped crown. Dark green, stiff, leathery leaves are evergreen, with sharp pointy ends. Bright red fruits.

JAPANESE LARCH: This evergreen drops its needles in the fall, which distinguishes it from other conifers. Small, slender, spreading branches with clustered needles

JAPANESE MAPLE: An ornamental tree with fine, reddish, star shaped leaves. Shrubby.

WHITE OAK: Thick, light gray bark with shallow to deep fissures. Deep, rounded, lobed leaves.

BLACK PINE: Long, sharp pointed needles, 2 per bundle. Brown to dark gray bark becomes deeply furrowed. Tall and straight, forming a uniform pyramid.

SCOTS PINE: The distinctive bark is orange in color and fissured. The needles are bundled in twos.

AMERICAN SYCAMORE: Large trees with a broad open crown. On older trees the bark separates into large, thin scales that resemble a jigsaw puzzle, exposing the lighter colored inner bark.

WHITE WILLOW: Long slender branches sweeping the ground. Moist sites. Smooth, yellowish-green branches with bright green, slender leaves. Similar to Weeping Willow.