Notice: Starting as early as the week of Oct. 28, approximately 46 trees will be relocated from the site of a new 1,200-space parking ramp near the Dental Science Building. The trees selected for relocation are in good health and appropriately sized for successful transplantation to other areas on campus. The university is working to minimize disruptions and will provide updates as the project progresses.

Tree Care and Preservation at the University of Iowa

At the University of Iowa, we take a thoughtful and conservative approach to tree management, emphasizing preservation and only removing trees when absolutely necessary.

With a campus home to approximately 8,000 trees representing more than 300 species, we take pride in maintaining a healthy and diverse tree population. Each year, we plant over 300 new trees, carefully selecting species that will enhance the health and ecological diversity of our arboretum.  In cases where a tree must be removed, we aim to plant 2-3 new trees in its place.

Campus Tree Removals

Trees on campus can require removal for a variety of reasons.

Declining tree health, tree removal on campus

Declining Tree Health

Our teams take extensive measures to maintain tree health on campus, including nursing sick trees back to health and preventative measures to slow a tree's decline.  When a tree starts to show extreme signs of aging, infestation, or other threats to the tree's health, the tree is removed to protect surrounding trees and the campus community.

Sick tree with bare branches on Iowa's med campus

Safety Risks

When a tree poses a safety risk due to health issues, extreme weather, pests, or other threats, such as falling branches, we take the necessary steps to protect our community by removing the tree. Safety is our top priority, and decisions about tree removal are made with care.

Tree drip line zone diagram

Campus Planning

Campus planning and development projects are driven by real-world demand tied to the UI’s growing programs and student success.  In areas near construction, every effort is made to protect and preserve trees. We implement standard tree protection measures, extending from the trunk to the critical root zone, also known as the drip line. When it is impossible to preserve a tree in place, we either relocate it or remove it. For each tree removed, we plant two to three new trees on-site or elsewhere on campus to ensure the continued growth of our tree canopy.

Note: Whenever possible, our teams find ways to give new life to removed trees. Often, the trees are repurposed as mulch for use around campus. In special cases, trees marked for removal are propagated and planted elsewhere on campus, allowing part of the removed tree to live on. In unique scenarios, trees of particular significance are transformed into lasting memorials, such as benches or frames, preserving their legacy in a meaningful way.

Ginkgo tree, yellow, with leaves falling and student walking by on UI Pentacrest

Trees as a Source of Well-being

We understand the profound impact that nature has on mental and physical health. Our dedication to maintaining, protecting, and replenishing campus trees supports the well-being of the entire University of Iowa community. By nurturing our trees, we help create a vibrant, healthy environment for everyone on campus.