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The woodland boundaries, tree avenues and walled gardens
visible around the UCD Belfield campus today pay testament
to the 18th and 19th century period houses and associated
lands from which the campus has evolved.
As the development of the Belfield campus has increased in
pace over more recent years, the development and protection
of the campus woodland resources are particularly important
to ensure viable tree cover is maintained for present and
future generations.
As part of a sustainable strategy, the university is currently
enhancing its woodland boundary. This development will include
the phased creation of a jogging, cycling and walking track,
stretching 6.5km around the campus boundary.
The first of four self-contained woodland walks that will
be encompassed by the wider 6.5km walk is due for completion
at the end of August 2008 - in time for the beginning of the
new academic term. This walk will measure approximately 2.15km
in length - beginning and ending at the UCD Sports Centre
where information boards on the walk will be situated.
As part of other ongoing projects, new areas of woodland
have been planted by UCD in Belfield each year since 1998.
The species of trees planted in each location reflect consideration
of those which had originally been planted in the area at
the time when they were private estates.
Approximately 25,000 trees have been planted, increasing
the overall woodland coverage on campus from 14 acres to almost
22 acres. The intention is to continue to increase this woodland
cover over the coming years.
“There has been a conscious decision to collectively increase
the number of trees on campus. In tandem with the preservation
of the existing trees and landscape, there has been a drive
to enhance and add to the tree avenues and wooded areas. This,
in turn, will improve the campus environment and boost the
overall quality of life for all those who spend time on the
Belfield campus” - says Eamonn Ceannt, UCD Vice-President
for Capital and Commercial Development.
The woodland areas of the Belfield campus include -
Belfield Wood
4.5 acres of woodland running north/south of Belfield
House up to the Stillorgan Dual Carriageway - about 1.5 acres
of which has been planted since 1998. The dominant tree species
in this wood are Fagus sylvatica (beech), Tilia
europaea (lime) and Aesculus hippocastanum (horse
chestnut), with only a few remaining Quercus robur
(oak) and Pinus sylvestris (scots pine).
Oakland Walk
A double line of oak trees which runs from
the UCD Bowl to the rear of the UCD Veterinary Sciences Building.
On the northern boundary, adjacent to the existing mature
trees, a substantial area has been planted with a mixture
of young trees to enhance the boundary woodland. The area
also has many other important ecological features - including
a pond, filter beds, a pine copse and a wildflower meadow.
It is a valuable recreational and wildlife area with a broad
range of biodiversity at the centre of a university campus.
Rosemount Wood
Approximately 3 acres of woodland located to the rear of the
UCD crèche. The dominant species in this woodland are
Fagus sylvatica (beech), Fraxinus excelsior
(ash) and Acer pseudoplatanus (sycamore), with some
Aesculus hippocastanum (horse chestnut), Quercus
ilex (holm oak) and Tilia europaea (limes) also
present. The woodland offers an important habitat for wildlife
and it is not used intensively as an amenity area.
Merville Wood – a wooded area of approximately
1 acre immediately west of Merville House consisting of mature
Fagus sylvatica (beech), Quercus robur (oak),
Tilia europaea (lime), Populus nigra (popular),
Prunus avium (bird cherry) Acer pseudoplatanus
(sycamore) and Fraxinus excelsior (ash)
Fosters Avenue Wood
A long narrow strip of woodland (approximately 3 acres) running
along Fosters Avenue. The main trees in this wood include
Quercus robur and Quercus petraea (oak),
Acer pseudoplatanus (sycamore), Salix spp
(willow), Fraxinus excelsior (ash), Tilia x europaea
(lime), Aesculus hippocastanum (horse chestnut) and
Fagus sylvatica (beech).
Bursars Wood
A new area of woodland planted in 2004, creating
links between 3 other established woodland areas (Belfield
Wood, Merville Wood, and Fosters Avenue Wood). Quercus
robur (oak), Fagus sylvatica (beech) and Genus
juglans (walnut) have been planted to become the dominant
trees, with Genus betula (birch), Prunus
avium (bird cherry), Genus salix (willow) and
Viburnum opulus guilder rose in the under storey.
The linkages between the existing woodlands will encourage
greater biodiversity on campus.
For more on UCD Campus Development - Click
Here
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