Oxford University Parks launch new Arboretum Explorer Map
Oxford University Parks has recently launched its new Arboretum Explorer Map, transforming access to tree data for visitors. The interactive map allows users to easily explore the full collection of University Parks trees and their associated information.
This achievement was made possible through close partnership between the University’s Parks team and Ezytreev’s specialists, who worked together to adapt, configure and further develop the EzyPortal interactive mapping platform to meet the University’s specific requirements. Drawing directly on Ezytreev’s live tree data, the portal publishes comprehensive and reliable information, making detailed information readily accessible to all.
Highlighting the project’s impact, Sam Prior, Arboricultural Manager at Oxford University Parks (pictured), explained how the map allows visitors to engage with the collection in a new way:
“There are written records of the parks trees dating back to when the park was created in 1854, but these are soon out of date and out of print. The Arboretum Explorer allows everyone to see the parks’ trees in a whole new way. It’s not just about enjoying their visual beauty—visitors can now find out about the ecological benefits they provide, from carbon storage to improving air quality. Working with the Ezytreev team at RA Information Systems has been invaluable in bringing this vision to life, connecting people with the heritage of Oxford University Parks and showcasing the incredible work of our team maintaining such a diverse and historic collection. The Arboretum Explorer is a first and essential step towards University Parks being formally recognised as an arboretum”.
Rob Taylor, Ezytreev Product Manager, emphasised the collaborative effort behind the launch: “It was a pleasure to work with Sam and the University Parks team on this project. They had a clear vision of what they wanted to achieve and it’s a great showcase for the fantastic work Oxford University Parks do in caring for their tree collection, as well as a great example of what can be achieved when working collaboratively. Other EzyPortal users are already benefiting from the additional features we developed for this project, so it really is a win-win.”
The Arboretum Explorer Map makes over 1,900 trees across 380 species accessible to the public. Whether you are looking to identify a tree’s species, uncover its ecological contributions, or simply explore the soon to be arboretum, ezyPortal offers an array of insights, encompassing tree species, dimensions, and photographs of each tree. ezyPortal also integrates i-Tree Ecosystem services values, presenting the environmental benefits these trees provide to their neighbourhood and to the planet as a whole.
The University Parks, established in 1854, has been continuously cared for and expanded by botanists and arboricultural experts, resulting in a rich diversity of rare and exotic species. The Arboretum Explorer allows the creation of customised walks focusing visitors attention to explore thematic plantings such as the parks magnolias, thorn collection, and champion trees. Highlighted specimens such as the 1888 Japanese pagoda tree, Wellingtonias planted in the late 1880s, disease-resistant elms, tulip trees, and Indian bean trees can be easily located by parks explorers. Historical features such as Coronation Clump (planted in 1953) and the Diamond Jubilee Trees (2013) highlight the park’s heritage and tradition of commemorative plantings.
The Arboretum Explorer Map reshapes how visitors engage with the collection, turning a walk through the landscape into an informed, interactive experience.
The platform goes beyond naming species to reveal the wider environmental value of the trees and their role in urban sustainability. Taken together, the arboretum functions as a significant natural asset. Its trees store over 1,700 tonnes of carbon and continue to remove close to 100 tonnes of CO₂ from the atmosphere each year. They also play a vital role in water management, intercepting more than 6,300 cubic metres of stormwater annually and reducing surface water runoff by nearly 182 cubic metres. At the same time, the collection improves local air quality, filtering over 430 kilograms of pollutants from the environment every year.
By bringing this data to life through an intuitive digital map, the Arboretum Explorer Map helps visitors see the trees not just as individual specimens, but as a connected system delivering measurable benefits to people, place and climate. Together, these ecosystem services represent an estimated annual value of £8,467, reflecting the arboretum’s ongoing contribution to air quality, flood management, climate resilience and biodiversity.
The interactive map is intuitive and mobile-friendly, with plans to add QR codes to individual trees, giving visitors instant access to botanical and ecological information on site. By combining modern technology with a historically significant and diverse tree collection, the Arboretum Explorer Map fosters deeper public engagement, promotes awareness of ecosystem services, and highlights the essential role of trees in urban environments.
For more information about the University Parks trees and their remarkable collection, explore these web pages:
- Mapping the University Parks Trees for Visitors https://www.alumni.ox.ac.uk/article/mapping-the-university-parks-trees-for-visitors
- Trees of the Parks https://www.parks.ox.ac.uk/trees-of-the-parks
Discover the Arboretum Explorer Map at https://universityofoxford.ezyportal.com
This project is powered by Ezytreev. Learn more about ezyPortal, the interactive platform used to deliver this project.
