March 2025: Trees in the Biology Building courtyard will be impacted the week of March 17 due to critical utility work. Two trees have already been transplanted, and two additional large, healthy trees in the area will be relocated: a Carolina silverbell (planted in 2005) to the northeast corner of the Pentacrest and a sweetgum tree (planted around 2010) within the courtyard. Three trees will be removed and repurposed as mulch. Additionally, two English oak trees along Dubuque Street, between Van Allen Hall and Biology Building East, will be removed due to poor health. New trees of an appropriate species will replace those removed where possible.
March 2025: Due to declining health, two white pines on the north side of Jessup Hall were removed on March 18. Despite efforts to preserve them, the trees were no longer thriving. Unhealthy trees can become brittle, posing a risk to people and property, making removal necessary. The trees will be repurposed through our mulch program and replaced with a suitable species in the future. Part of the wood will be made into pens for the College of Liberal Arts.
October 2024 - present: In October 2024, approximately 46 trees were 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. Ongoing tree work is expected in this location to accommodate construction.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.