Arboretum:
noun; a plot of land on which many different trees or shrubs are grown for study or display.
The Sehome Arboretum is untouched nature in the heart of the city of Bellingham. Being used for logging until 1904, it was officially made into a protected arboretum by the city in the 1960s. The definition of an arboretum does not do justice to the arb. It is filled with leviathan sized trees, lush shrubbery, immense greenery, and the vast beauty of the wilderness. The arb in the middle of the city, also lies on the backside of Western Washington University. It has been a vital part of Western’s student life, and can be viewed through the many individual marks left by students of the past. These marks have become integral parts of the arb itself, but a few of these facets stand out more than others, specifically the tree house, the rope swing and the cliffs.
High up in the trees, looking into the vast green, and the view over campus to the Sound, is the sight from the tree house. This “treehouse” is a suspension held triangular platform made from logs and branches ties together with a plethora of ropes that look like they have been there for a long time. It sits a sizable fifty feet off the ground between three trees. While its intended function is ultimately unclear, it does get its fair share of use. Because of its relatively hidden location-it can’t be reached from following any trails and it’s unlikely for anyone to come across it unless the treehouse is their desired destination- not many students or residents know about its existence. The time when this was constructed and by whom is unknown but I like to think that it was just some students who had an idea and followed through with that idea, no matter what it took. The number of small carvings and signs of human activity suggest that it has been up there for a long time. The way in which it is constructed-all held together by ropes and its own weight and position in the tree- is as to least disturb nature, and I personally appreciate that aspect of it.
The rope swing is located somewhere on the eastern side of the arb, in a seemingly perfect spot. There is a large tree that branches out in many directions out over a small ravine, and the swing is simply a 2-foot-long wood platform at the end of the rope. There are a few different ways one can go about using the swing. The place to mount the platform is up on the higher and steeper side of the ravine and you can either step onto it or sit. Another option is to climb up a bit into the tree onto which the swing is secured with the swing in hand, and jumping out of the tree standing on the platform. Any way of using this is enjoyable and can do wonders to relieve stress and brighten your mood.
Entering the arboretum from the Fairhaven part of Western’s campus, the cliffs are not a far walk, however almost completely uphill. Once there, you can take your place in one of the many available spots along the cliffs that stretch for a good distance. The views from atop them are quite mesmerizing, especially if caught when the sun is lower in the sky shining directly through the trees. At one spot, there is a ying-yang symbol made of the moss that was already on a large rock. Another example of making something beautiful in nature that does not disturb it and instead bridges the gap between man-made and natural. As put by Emelia Monahan, a fellow Western student, “my favorite spot is a large rock with a ying-yang sketched into it with the moss. It’s really cool it’s like man-made but also natural.” The cliffs make a great spot to meditate or simply relax and take in a wonderful view. The Western Washington University website describes, “Just off of the Doug Fir Trail can be found vertical wall faces showing the underlying geology of Sehome Hill. Taking a closer look can reveal some interesting finds such as tilted graded bedding and stratification.”
The Sehome Hill Arboretum does serve a purpose to countless students of Western Washington
University and nearby residents of Bellingham. A place to relieve stress and forget about all the worries of the world. As well as this, many students have expressed themselves and the culture of the student life and the city through many different pieces of artwork placed sporadically throughout the arb. The arboretum does seem to be associated with certain types of people. Some labels for these people might include; hippie, tree hugger, free spirits, artists. While this does seem to be somewhat true, there are really all kinds of students and residents of Bellingham alike that enjoy to be in, explore and connect with the arb. Personally, I am very grateful for having this wonderful and magical forest so accessible, being right next to my campus.
Citations
“The Human History of Sehome Hill.” Sehome Hill Arboretum. Western Washington University, n.d. Web. 06 May 2016.
“Top Attractions.” Sehome Hill Arboretum. Western Washington University, n.d. Web. 06 May 2016
