Copper Beech (Fagus sylvatica v. purpurea)
Resources and information about Portland State University Library’s historic tree
Portland State University Library’s curved façade encircles a towering copper beech tree planted in approximately 1890. The tree was designated as a City of Portland Heritage Tree in 1995 and an Oregon State Heritage Tree in 2022. This site collects information and resources about the history of the tree and the design of the Library.
Articles on the Beech Tree
“Trees are Excellent Architectural Investments” by David-Paul Hedberg, From Stumptown to Tree Town
“The Million Dollar Tree” in “Pieces of History” by Cristina Rojas, Portland State Magazine, Spring 2021 [PDXScholar]
University Archives Documents
Selected documents on the beech tree and the design of the Library, held by PSU Archives [Google Drive]
For more information about these materials, please contact specialcollections@pdx.edu.
AECA Documents
Selected documents on the beech tree and the design of the Library, held by PSU Architecture, Construction, and Engineering Archives [Google Drive]
For more information about these materials, please contact specialcollections@pdx.edu.
Photographs
Search the University Archives Digital Gallery for historic images of the copper beech and the library
More images of the beech tree from the 1940s to the present held by PSU Archives and the PSU Library [Google Drive]
Questions? Please contact PSU Library Special Collections and University Archives by email: specialcollections@pdx.edu.