Causes and Effects of Tree Removal in University of Ibadan Campus

Abstract Trees on the university of Ibadan campus environment are positioned in a remarkable and notable manner; however, they may also present potential hazards to the infrastructure and humans they coexist with. The numerous benefits of trees can be negated due to poor tree health and anthropogenic activities and as such they may become hazardous. The study aims at evaluating the causes and effects of tree removal on University of Ibadan Campus, Oyo State Nigeria. University of Ibadan was stratified into 4 locations which are: Residential areas, Administrative areas, Parks and Gardens and Academic Areas. 323 trees comprising of 38 species were identified and the locations where they were removed was identified also. Also, 200 respondents were sampled to assess the perceived effects of removal of campus trees and some members of campus biodiversity management committee were interviewed to ascertain the reasons behind tree removal on campus. With the aid of data form, oral interviews, site assessments, G.P.S and structured questionnaires, the trees removed in the last ten years, the reasons for their removal and perceived effects of tree removal on campus were ascertained.The results revealed that the most trees removed on campus were Delonix regia 22.3% and Albizia glaberima 15.8% while the least removed were Anarcadium occidentale, Bridelia micrantha, Cocos nucifera , Ficus mucuso, Morinda Lucinda, Pinus carribea, Tabebuia rosea and Terminalia superba with 0.3% each.Residential areas had the highest number of tree removal on campus while the parks and gardens and administrative areas had the least. Trees removed were because of so many reasons in which old age, threat to buildings, tree defects and wind throwing are more prominent.In conclusion, the study revealed that the tree species removed had no specific relationship with the reasons for their removal but the reasons for removal of the trees had an association with the locations where they were removed. Also, it revealed that almost all the trees removed on campus was because they were or may later have some negative impacts on lives, environment and properties and mostly to forestall dangers. Since there will always be some common interactions between the environment, lives, properties and trees on campus, the study recommends effective management of campus trees and removal in cases where necessary and also replacement of removed trees especially because of root rots, insect infestation, dead trees and old age should be encouraged.