Wishing trees planted across campus

The university has planted a number of wishing trees across its campuses as part of its commitment to the environment and sustainability.

Inspired by an initiative by Yoko Ono, five native field maple trees were bought for the launch of the Liverpool Research Institute for Climate and Sustainability (LiRICS) in December. At the launch event, guests wrote down their wishes for the environment on wildflower seed paper and hung them from the branches.

Each tree has been sponsored by a different group within LJMU: LiRICS, the two faculties, the Climate and Sustainability Group and the Estate Development team. The trees have now been planted in locations across the estate – outside the Student Life Building, John Lennon Art and Design Building, Byrom Street and Tithebarn Building.

Enhancing biodiversity on campus

The trees enhance biodiversity across the estate, which previously had only one field maple tree among its different green spaces. The seed paper will be used in future wildflower planting projects on campus.

Tally Anderson, LJMU’s Environmental Sustainability Project Manager, said: “The planting of these trees is a small but impactful start to the delivery of LJMU’s first Biodiversity Delivery Plan 2025-2030, which seeks to improve habitat quality for wildlife, green space provision for our communities and climate resilience for our university.

“We look forward to seeing these new trees grow and thrive alongside our commitments to sustainable collaborative working via LiRICS and the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice.”

Pictured: Tally Anderson with Professor Keith George, Professor Phil Vickerman and Dr Jason Kirby planting one of the trees outside the Student Life Building.