Macquarie prides itself on its campus grounds. Since the first assessment of the proposed site for the University in 1964, landscaping has been identified as an important element of our history. Over the decades it has become integral to the development of our campus and what we have come to associate with the Macquarie experience.

As early as 1974 the University adopted aims for the maintenance and development of landscaping on campus to support the founding vision of Macquarie as a ‘campus in a park’. This commitment has seen landscaping become an integral part of development on site.

“Into the future, the founding vision is to be reinforced through stewardship involving substantial planting, landscaped public spaces and bushland regeneration projects,” said John Macris, Biodiversity Planner, Property.

As part of the University’s building renewal initiative, the E7A project requires pruning of the lemon-scented gums on the east side of the Central Courtyard,  as well as the removal of one London plane tree to the south of E7A and the jacarandas to the west of E7A. This work will take place over the coming weeks.

“Our approach to trees on campus is always to avoid or minimise the impact works have on them,” said Mark Broomfield, Director of Property. “When trees must be removed, there are suitable replacement trees sought and planted elsewhere on campus at a ratio of two for one for non-natives and three for one for natives.”

Mark said the relocation of the jacarandas was investigated, however the viability of the trees surviving the transplant was limited.

“In order to preserve the lineage of the trees, seedlings are being gathered and will be transplanted to a new location once they are more established.”

Mark explains when trees are removed during construction at Macquarie, their timber is reused and/or recycled.

“The first way the timber is reused is through education programs where it is used for carving and furniture making,” he said. “The recent removal of trees during works on University Avenue saw the timber gifted to an educational project in wood carving.”

When timber is not suitable for carving, it is used for other landscaping needs on campus.

Visit the Property website for more information and to keep up to day with the E7A project.