What Labels Should Do:

Tree labels should be of a type that will not cause significant damage to the tree.  The Arboretum Committee recommends the use of free standing labels or ones that are attached to the tree via a screw and a spring, which compensates for the tree’s growth.  All labels need to be placed so arboretum visitors can easily view them.

The labels for the Arboretum Certification Program must contain the common and botanical name.  Botanic names are usually in italic with the Genus or the first word having a capital letter and the last word or the species having a lower case letter.  Cultivars are listed in single quotation marks with the first letter usually being capitalized (there is always an exception to the rule).  Varieties are listed with a var. and then the name.  Most varieties have the first letter of the word in lowercase lettering.

Examples:

• Cornus florida                      (dogwood species)

• Cornus florida ‘Moon’             (Cultivar of the dogwood species)

• Cornus florida var. rubra        (Variety of the dogwood species)

Purchased Labels:

There are several companies where arboreta can purchase labels or markers.  These labels or markers come in various sizes, styles and materials.

Some of the labels attach to the tree.  They need to be attached with a screw and a spring as shown here at Historic Elmwood Cemetery.

Other labels are inserted into the ground or mounted onto other material that is in the ground as demonstrated by East Tennessee State University.   (Note: Stakes need to be set in quick-cement for security reasons.)

Handmade Labels:

Several arboreta have constructed their own labels or made their own mounting devices.

Packaging Corporation of America Arboretum----Counce, TN

The signs on their environmental trail are mounted on 4" x 4" treated posts.  The tops are cut at a 45-degree angle for easy viewing.  The posts are approximately 4' tall.  The signs are encased in Plexiglas and attached to the posts by small screws.  The signs are put together on 8.5” x11” paper in PowerPoint.  They used the booklet "Important Trees of the Eastern Forests", published by the United States Forest Service, for the pictures of the trees and their ranges, which are displayed below.  This booklet provides information for the more common, native trees.

Sevier County High School ---Sevier, TN

Students at Sevier County High School made the mounting devices for their labels.  They wanted to label trees but also provide an opportunity for visitors to test their knowledge prior to viewing the tree label. 

Their signs are constructed of treated pine: 

• Sign base is on a 4”x 4” post, cut at a 45-degree angle to accept the sign

• Top cover is a 1 inch thick, 6”x 6” piece mounted at the back with a six inch piano hinge onto a 2 inch thick piece of the same size (the 2 inch piece mounted to the 4”x 4” post)

• Information sign is mounted into a routed recess of the 1 inch piece (about 3.5” x 5.25”)

• The actual sign is a printed plate, mounted onto a plastic plate, and then both of those mounted into the recess of the pine base.  The sign is close to the routed recess in size (3.5”x 5.25”)

Solutions for Vandalism Problems:

Many arboreta located on greenway or walking trails experience frequent vandalism problems.  The City of Chattanooga resolved their problem by hanging their labels higher in the tree and placing indicators on the asphalt walking trails to bring to the visitor’s attention of a labeled tree.