Requisitions Processes

Access to the Living Collections and Other Arboretum Assets.

The living plant collections located on the University of Arizona main campus in Tucson, AZ, as indicated on UA and Campus Arboretum online maps and physical signage, are open to the visiting public. The Campus Arboretum requires that permission be granted prior to release of any germplasm from the collection, or distribution of accession records, photos, and digital files. Additionally, we provide permission and guidance relating to plant material selection for campus installations or other project proposing changes to plant materials in the landscape. Resources and processes applicable are defined below.

Release of Germplasm from the University of Arizona Campus Arboretum

Release of germplasm requires authorization of the Campus Arboretum Director. Provision for a limited number of propagules or other tissue from the living collections may be authorized provided that the manner of acquisition does not endanger the health or appearance of the chosen plant. Access to the collections for the purpose of obtaining propagules and tissue may be granted to individuals, or public, private botanical, educational, and horticultural organizations for use in personal, educational or research endeavors. Availability of propagules and tissue for potential commercialization shall be subject to written agreements approved by the governing authorities of the University of Arizona. This is particularly important in the case of taxa that are not practically available elsewhere and for which introduction into the trade is deemed worthy. The University of Arizona Campus Arboretum is committed to adhering to all laws, regulations, and conventions, be they state, national or international in scope, which pertain to sharing of benefits resulting from the acquisition of germplasm.

1. To obtain material by self-collection:

You may obtain permission and collect plant material independently by following the steps detailed below.

     i. Use the interactive tree map to locate the accession # of the plant from which you will harvest. The interactive tree map is found here.

     ii. Contact the Director by email at infoarboretum@ag.arizona.edu to obtain permission for collecting plant materials.

     iii. Provide the following information:

          a. Your name, title, institution and department (where applicable)

          b. Accession number(s)

          c. Type of material to be collected (leaves, stems, flowers, fruit, seed, bark or roots).

          d. Quantity of material to be collected (approx. # of samples, weight etc.)

          e. Include a statement of the intended use of the material. (for research or educational uses, please describe the nature of the study and expected outcomes).

Once permission is obtained, locate the plant from which material is to be obtained. Harvest in a way that reduces potential to compromise plant form or future health. (ie. For collection of leaf material, remove leaves at the base of the petiole; for twig collection, cut a terminal portion of a stem by tracing back from the terminal bud to the next lateral branch; for bark collection, remove the smallest portion possible with minimal dept so as to avoid introducing infection into the phloem or wood beneath.)

Upon completion of the project, please consider sharing results or any publications completed as a result of the arboretum materials. In so doing, please also share your authorization to permit us to post these to our website.

2. Request collection and shipping of plant materials

Collection requiring staff support: plant materials can be obtained and shipped to you. Living materials must be overnight shipped by Fed Ex and packaged with dry ice. Seeds can be shipped by regular post. We charge a nominal fee of $50 to cover additional costs associated with the collection effort. The arboretum director or registar of collections will contact you if the intensity of collection merits additional fees. To initiate the collection request:

     i. Follow relevant guidance ( i and iii) under “self-collection”, above.

     ii. Provide the Campus Arboretum director with the following additional information:

          a. A Fed Ex account number to cover the cost for staff time, shipping materials and transport.

          b. Additional shipping details required for delivery (room#, building name, receiving contact, limitations re: delivery dates or business hours, etc.)

          c. Remit payment to the Campus Arboretum account for additional fees that apply to the service requested.

          d. Payment can be made online by credit card by visiting the University of Arizona Foundation site found here

3. Request guidance on woody plant selection for a campus landscape installation.

As the campus entity with primary responsibility for curation of the arboretum living collections, every woody plant installed on the main campus must conform to the University Tree Collections Policy found here. Please review this policy before initiating a project request with University Facilities Services Landscaping Department.

     i. To initiate a planting project, first contact the University of Arizona Facility Services. They can be reached at: https://www.fm.arizona.edu/#/department/4

     ii. If your project is approved to move forward, you will be asked to provide a planting plan and plant list to the Campus Arboretum.

     iii. The arboretum director and curator will review the plans and provide feedback or direction relating to plant materials selected for the project.

     iv. Where plant materials are deemed unsuitable for the collection, alternative species will be recommended.

     v. We ask for a minimum of 4 weeks lead time to complete our review.

4. Request assistance with plant identification, plant selection or tree health concerns.

     i. For those residing in Pima Co., AZ Master Gardeners support a plant clinic to field Campus Arboretum inquiries relating to plant care, selection and ID.

          a. For more information visit the “Plant Information” tab found here https://extension.arizona.edu/pima-master-gardeners

     ii. To obtain assistance of this nature outside Pima Co, AZ, contact the Cooperative Extension Office near you.

          a. Find an extension office in your state by visiting: https://landgrantimpacts.org/extension/

5. Obtain digital image files

Photos from the Campus Arboretum online resources are in the public domain and can be used freely. If photos are used in media that is distributed publicly, kindly include an attribution that states the “Photo provided courtesy of the University of Arizona Campus Arboretum”. If high resolution photos are desired, please contact the Campus Arboretum director by emailing infoarboretum@ag.arizona.edu

6. Donate plant material to the arboretum.

All potential acquisitions presented to the Arboretum as gifts are subject to the same policies and selection criteria as outlined for acquisitions in general per the Tree Collections Policy (https://arboretum.arizona.edu/guidelines).  Plants that are offered as gifts must be initiated by the Plant Acquisition Proposal Form found here.

     i. Send the completed acquisitions form to infoarboretum@ag.arizona.edu.

     ii. Expect 4-8 weeks for your request to be reviewed and a response sent to you.

     iii. Please note that acquisitions received as gifts are considered unconditional in regard to the eventual disposition of the gift.

          The Arboretum reserves the right to display or not display, give away, or destroy the acquired gift. 

          Where legally binding restrictions or conditions exist for the gift, deposit may be deemed appropriate if reviewed and approved by the Collections Committee with a quorum present.

     iv. Any costs incurred for shipping, or delivery of the plant donation are to be covered by the donor.