The university has 5,045 trees — as recorded by the horticulture department — representing a diverse mix of native, ornamental, flowering and fruit-bearing species. A long-standing design principle ensures that no internal road is lined with the same species twice, giving each stretch a distinct ecological and visual identity.More than 80 horticulture workers, including permanent staff and daily wagers, maintain this landscape through year-round planting, pruning, irrigation and disease control.
These 5,045 are mature trees — not shrubs — many predating current buildings and integrated into the campus layout over decades.
Different corridors carry their own botanical character. The road from gate no. 1 to the Administrative Block is lined with Mahua, valued for its thick canopy and ecological benefits. Between the chemistry and zoology departments, Mahua reappears alongside Kanch Champa, known for its fragrant, showy flowers. Barringtonia, a moisture-loving species with hanging blossoms, is among the most abundant trees on campus with 295 specimens.
It dominates stretches from boys’ hostel 4 to the laws department and from the chemistry department parking to Prof GP Sharma Herbal Park.The road from director (sports) towards Ankur School is marked by Sterculia alata, a tall tropical tree with a straight trunk and broad crown. Residential zones largely feature Silver Oak, commonly used for shade and boundary planting.
The walkway from Arts Block 1 towards the Student Centre is lined with Royal Palms, giving the approach a formal, symmetrical look. Near gate no. 3, a dedicated Palm Garden showcases multiple palm species along with Chilta (water apple), adding a fruit-bearing element to the landscape.Flowering plants form another key layer. The university maintains over 100 rose varieties in beds and gardens. Fruit trees also make up a significant share, including around 400 mango trees — largely Dussehri — that contribute to the campus’ biodiversity.Amandeep Singla from the horticulture department said plantation strategies have shifted as space constraints grow. “For the last two years, we have planted shrubs continuously. A lot of infrastructure has come up, and in many areas planting more trees isn’t feasible, so shrubs and ground cover help sustain greenery,” he said. Preserving existing trees, he added, is now as critical as new plantation, given the time trees take to mature.Even as new buildings and facilities reshape parts of the university, the campus’ tree network continues to define its identity — ensuring greenery remains embedded in daily academic and residential life rather than pushed to the margins.
