TreesSC recognized Wofford College’s distinguished Roger Milliken Arboretum canopy with the 2025 Heritage Tree of the Year Award. The award was presented on Wofford’s campus on Wednesday, Nov. 5, as part of the TreesSC annual conference, held this year in Spartanburg.
Accepting the award on behalf of Wofford College were President Nayef Samhat and Director of Horticulture and Landscape Design Stewart Winslow. A bronze marker commemorating the award was placed by the Franklin W. Olin Building, near the Hugh R. Black Building, which is the home of the college’s Admission and Financial Aid Offices.
This prestigious recognition celebrates outstanding landscapes that embody the spirit of South Carolina’s natural heritage and the ongoing commitment to the preservation and appreciation of natural resources.
“Ahead of his time, Mr. Milliken, for whom our arboretum is named, knew that the college’s buildings and grounds were a huge factor in the college Admission process. He knew that first impressions matter to prospective students, so during his 48 years of service on the board of trustees, he brought landscape architects and giants in the world of botany to Wofford’s campus,” says Samhat. “Because of this commitment, thousands of trees and shurbs have been planted. What you see on our campus today is the ongoing evolution of their vision.”
While accepting the honor, Samhat also thanked Winslow and the college’s ground crews, led by Jason Getgasorn, Bill Littlefield and Jason Burr. “The team in facilities works as hard as anyone on campus, and this award is a testament to their attention to detail and commitment to excellence,” says Samhat. “This is such an honor, and we will use it as inspiration to keep up the good work.”
The Roger Milliken Arboretum at Wofford College spans 195 acres and was purposefully designed to calm and soothe the souls of those on campus. The arboretum incorporates sustainable practices to control erosion and water runoff through its extensive tree canopy.
TreesSC was founded in 1991 as a nonprofit organization to foster the stewardship of South Carolina’s urban and community forests through education, advocacy and networking.