Sister Mary Grace Burns Arboretum

In addition to a large number of exotic plant species, the arboretum features a good collection of native plants of the New Jersey Pine Barrens (New Jersey Pinelands). Most of the pinelands plants are scattered throughout the arboretum. Most notably, we have a number of very large and old oaks (mostly chestnut, black and white) and pines (mostly shortleaf but also pitch). These species are well adapted to our climate and soils, and are found on most parts of the campus. The densest concentration of oaks is on oak knoll, the highest elevation on campus just past the university's entrance gate. The largest white oak in Ocean County is located behind our Sister Mary Joseph Cunningham Library -- we have a total of 16 trees that are the biggest of their species in Ocean County. The grounds of Lake House and the Music Center have our largest concentration of shortleaf and pitch pines. We are currently working on restoring an undeveloped portion of the campus that contains a remnant pineland community. A nature trail traverses approximately 76 acres, which is the northern part of the campus (arboretum).