Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
The oaks of Magill Walk are silhouetted against a color-streaked sky early one cold morning.
In 1879 two rows of 31 Quercus bicolor, or swamp white oaks were planted lining the path leading from the train station up to Parrish Hall. The original plant order was for pin oak, Quercus palustris, but thankfully they were not available at the time.
Many of the oldest specimens alive today are original to this 1879 planting.