Arboretum

Learn about our Arboretum

The Arboretum comprises all the trees and plants on campus.

In addition to its value and benefits to University students, staff, visitors and the local community who are welcome to wander through, the Arboretum provides habitat for many native birds and other animals, and is an important asset for the surrounding community.

Our Arboretum is unique in that it is the only arboretum in Sydney located on a university campus. It is also unique in having remnant areas of Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest, an endangered ecological community under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, 2001.

Arboretum launch

The Macquarie University Arboretum was officially launched on 10 August 2010 by Dr Tim Entwisle, then Executive Director of the Botanic Gardens Trust in Sydney. The launch was hosted by then Vice-Chancellor, Steven Schwartz. Professor Lesley Hughes, then Head of the Department for Biology, was Master of Ceremonies for the event.

To commemorate the launch five native trees were planted: four Sydney Peppermint (Eucalyptus piperita) and a Turpentine (Syncarpia glomulifera).

Brief history

In the 1960s, Macquarie University was established in the area adjacent to Christie Park and Lane Cove National Park. Native vegetation retained on site represents four recognised communities:

• Sydney Sandstone Gully Forest
• Coastal shale sandstone forest
• Sydney Sandstone Ridgetop Woodland
• Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest.

Some remnant vegetation has continued to flourish on the grounds of the University. Extensive plantings since have included many native trees plus interesting trees from other parts of the world.

Landscaping

The original landscaping plan was developed by Walter (Wally) Abraham, who was appointed as the principal architect-planner for Macquarie University in 1965. A largely native planting palette was selected for areas outside the academic core of campus to provide a water efficient landscape. These drought-tolerant tree selections have kept us in good stead over the subsequent decades.

There were two major, formal plantings in the campus's core:

• One hundred and twenty Lemon-scented Gums (Corymbia citriodora) were planted in the central courtyard of the university in July 1968.
• The avenue of London Plane Trees (Platanus X hispanica, formerly known as Platanus X hybrida) that extends across campus from east to west was planted in the late 1960s.

In 2006 the avenue of Plane Trees was renamed 'Wally’s Walk' in recognition of Dr Abraham’s contribution.

In the twenty first century, new areas of formal landscaping have been established at sites such as the revitalised Central Courtyard, University Ave and the future University Common. The longstanding tradition of using hardy tree species that are capable of thriving in our local climate without supplementary irrigation has been adhered to.