The Trees of Harvard Yard
About the trees of Harvard Yard
The trees of Harvard have, for centuries, shielded student travels. They’ve canopied the Yard and framed its iconic image. One only needs to imagine the Yard barren and treeless to understand that the trees are as much a part of the landscape as its historic buildings and John Harvard’s brass toe. Many of these trees have been staples on campus for generations, outliving many of Harvard’s historic buildings. Keeping the canopy tall is the job of an entire crew!
Over the years, many trees have fallen, been pruned, or removed to keep the Yard healthy and thriving. Below are some of the trees that have been removed and products are still available.
Harvard Yard Swamp White Oak
Hollis Hall American Elm (Coming soon)
Harvard Yard Princeton Elm
Harvard Yard Sugar Maple
Johnston Gate Green Ash (Coming soon)
This bowl was handcrafted from a Sugar Maple tree that grew in Harvard Yard. A large branch of the tree was removed in the winter of 2022, and the tree is estimated to be about 30 years old. The bowl features decorative spalting across its grain. This is bowl #1 of the 40 bowls that will be crafted from this tree. This bowl measures 7 3/8" by 4" inches tall.
Also included:
A card explaining the history of this tree on campus
Decorative packaging
Standard engraving featuring the Harvard Veritas logo, or optional custom engraving on the underside of the bowl
This bowl was handcrafted from an American Elm tree that still stands outside Hollis Hall in Harvard Yard. In the summer of 2024, a large branch fell onto a student walking path during a storm, revealing significant insect damage. Despite the loss of this branch, the massive tree remains standing and is estimated to be at least 120 years old, making it one of the oldest landmarks at Harvard.
This is bowl #2 of the 60 bowls that will be crafted from this tree. It measures 8" in diameter and stands 4 3/4" tall.
Also included:
A card explaining the history of this tree on campus
Decorative packaging
Standard engraving featuring the Harvard Veritas logo, or optional custom engraving on the underside of the bowl
This bowl was handcrafted from a Swamp White Oak tree that still stands in Harvard Yard. A large branch of the tree was fell in 2023 during a strong summer storm. The branch that fell revealed a substantial amount of insect damage. Aside from this branch, the tree still stands and is estimated to be about 80 years old. This is bowl #25 of the 60 bowls that will be crafted from this tree. This bowl measures 6 1/4" by 4" tall.
Also included:
A card explaining the history of this tree on campus
Decorative packaging
Standard engraving featuring the Harvard Veritas logo, or optional custom engraving on the underside of the bowl
This bowl was handcrafted from a Swamp White Oak tree that still stands in Harvard Yard. A large branch of the tree was fell in 2023 during a strong summer storm. The branch that fell revealed a substantial amount of insect damage. Aside from this branch, the tree still stands and is estimated to be about 80 years old. This is bowl #28 of the 60 bowls that will be crafted from this tree. This bowl measures 6 1/2" by 3" tall.
Also included:
A card explaining the history of this tree on campus
Decorative packaging
Standard engraving featuring the Harvard Veritas logo, or optional custom engraving on the underside of the bowl
This pen was handcrafted from a Swamp White Oak tree that stands in Harvard Yard. A large branch fell in a summer storm revealing a large amount of insect damage. The rest of the tree still stands healthy in the Yard. This Swamp White Oak tree has been an important part of campus for at least 80 years. European pens are ballpoint pens.
Pen includes a designer box and card explaining the history of the tree on campus.
Standard Harvard logo or custom engraving options are both available.
This pen was handcrafted from a Sugar Maple tree that stands in Harvard Yard. It was crafted from trimmings taken during the winter of 2022. The rest of the tree remains healthy in the Yard, showcasing its beautiful grain and color. European pens are ballpoint pens.
It comes in a designer box with a card explaining the history of the tree on campus.
Both a standard Harvard logo and custom engraving options are available.
This pen was handcrafted from a Sugar Maple tree that stands in Harvard Yard. It was crafted from trimmings taken during the winter of 2022. The rest of the tree remains healthy in the Yard, showcasing its beautiful grain and color.
Includes a German-made, two-tone nib with iridium point for smooth writing and a premium fountain ink refill cartridge.
It comes in a designer box with a card explaining the history of the tree on campus.
Both a standard Harvard logo and custom engraving options are available.
This pen was handcrafted from a Swamp White Oak tree that stands in Harvard Yard. A large branch fell during a summer storm, revealing extensive insect damage. However, the rest of the tree remains healthy in the Yard, where it has been a part of the campus for at least 80 years.
Fountain pens feature a German-made, two-tone nib with an iridium point for smooth writing, along with a premium fountain ink refill cartridge.
Comes in a designer box with a card explaining the history of the tree on campus.
Both a standard Harvard logo and custom engraving options are available.
This pen was handcrafted from a Sugar Maple tree that stands in Harvard Yard. It was crafted from trimmings taken during the winter of 2022. The rest of the tree remains healthy in the Yard, showcasing its beautiful grain and color. This rollerball pen features a high-quality gel pen insert and is our most popular pen option.
It comes in a designer box with a card explaining the history of the tree on campus.
Both a standard Harvard logo and custom engraving options are available.
This pen was handcrafted from a Swamp White Oak tree that stands in Harvard Yard. A large branch fell during a summer storm, revealing extensive insect damage. However, the rest of the tree remains healthy in the Yard, where it has been a part of the campus for at least 80 years. Rollerballs feature a high quality gel pen insert. They are also the most popular pen option.
Comes in a designer box with a card explaining the history of the tree on campus.
Both a standard Harvard logo and custom engraving options are available.