The university Grounds team have planted a new avenue of 17 lime trees on the Bigforth Drive central reservation as part of a continued drive to improve biodiversity across campus.

The trees are underplanted with a diverse mixture of 55,000 spring and summer bulbs which, over time, will form a welcoming entrance to the University that also provides key wildlife habitat improvement. Lime tree leaves provide a perfect environment for aphids to feed, while their sweet-smelling flowers can attract a large number of bees and other insects looking for nectar. Once matured, the trees will provide blossoms and fruits that are spread by the wind and will provide nesting opportunities and environments for insects and other invertebrates. A range of 25 other trees have also been planted on nearby parkland including Crab apple, Rowan, Silver birch, and Wild cherry, which will also provide spring blossom and summer fruit for pollinators and birds in the area.

This is the latest initiative to foster biodiversity on campus as part of our Woodland Management Plan. The plan provides a strategic-level framework for managing the existing and newly planted woodlands within the estate to ensure that they will integrate with development in the short, medium and long-term covering 2021 - 2031. Find out more about biodiversity on campus.