To mark National Tree Week, Professor Martin Maiden, Head of the Department of Biology and long-standing curator of University Parks, planted a young Hungarian thorn (Crataegus nigra) in the Parks, opposite the Life and Mind Building (LaMB) on Thursday.
The Hungarian thorn sapling that Martin planted adds to the collection lining Thorn Walk – already a significant botanical resource with more than 30 other members of the family, and one the team plan to extend still further over the coming years.
The planting celebrated both national tree week and the launch of the University’s new Tree Portal:
https://universityofoxford.ezyportal.com/Trees
The brainchild of Sam Prior, Arboricultural Manager in the Parks team, the new website includes an interactive map showing every one of the 1,914 tree in the park, with individual photos and information including its age, height, condition and any unusual features. The interactive map designed for mobile use, lets visitors plan walks through the Parks to find specific trees or view specimens by species or genus.
Beyond simply listing trees, the portal serves as an educational and ecological resource: it highlights the environmental benefits of the trees, such as carbon sequestration and flood-control contributions, and supports learning, research, and public engagement.
The planting celebrated the deepening links between the Life and Mind Building (LaMB) and University Parks across South Parks Road, where new planting outside the LaMB now connects visually with the Parks’ own herbaceous borders. The Parks have also provided the orchids that are now proudly displayed in the LaMB’s café and atrium.
Before planting the tree, Professor Maiden reflected on his own long relationship with the Parks as both an academic and a university officer:
“My history with University Parks spans many roles - first as an elected member, then as a Proctor, and now as a co-opted curator. It is a space that is widely used and deeply valued.”
He also celebrated the synergy between the Parks and the newly formed Department of Biology:
“Our new department has just moved into the Life and Mind Building, in close proximity to the Parks which are not only a centre for leisure but also a living collection of biodiverse plants, they provide a place to come and learn — and this new tree portal is part of that.”
National Tree Week, coordinated by The Tree Council and partners, celebrates the start of the annual tree-planting season by mobilising volunteers, conservation organisations and tree-enthusiasts across the country. As thousands of trees and hedgerows are planted nationwide, the University’s own planting in University Parks reinforces these shared goals and reflects the important role that trees play in both our landscapes and our learning environment.
Reflecting on the significance of planting a new tree during National Tree Week, he added:
“Students are a bit like this tree – they’re an investment in the future. This isn’t about history; it’s about what comes next. The Parks exist because of hard work and commitment, a community of people doing every type of activity. Planting this tree, and launching this portal, are about creating a future that everyone can share.”
To read more about the tree portal visit Arboretum Explorer
