Green walk

From the trunk of the Napoleonic oak, descend to the stone bench nearby.

The UNIL Parks and Gardens Group takes great care of the trees on campus. Here are a few principles and practices relating to the management and upkeep of the trees:

The Parks and Gardens Group at UNIL looks after the trees on campus.

• Plant native species
• Regularly check the health of trees
• Preserve the tree's natural growth habit as much as possible when removing trees
• Operate rational pruning to protect the tree (mainly dead wood), making clean cuts and cutting small-diameter sections to prevent rot from setting in
• Take care of the dry trees

First example with the Napoli oak, which is over two centuries old. To stabilise the tree, a guy system with 120 metres of cables was installed in the early 2000s. This system, which was changed in 2012, is known as static.

A second example is the gigantic seacute, located near the Anthropole, which was struck by lightning around ten years ago. Since then, however, it has climbed several peaks again and is regularly monitored to follow its evolution.

A third example is the plane tree avenue, which is also receiving special attention.

From this bench, climb the pebble-covered path, then continue straight ahead.
At the end of the undergrowth, at the crossroads, turn left onto the straight track.
After 100 metres, take the path on the right that will take you under the Biophore building and through a small car park.
At the crossroads, turn right. At the next crossroads, you'll come to a sort of roundabout.

The campus covers 90 hectares, the majority of which is green.

• Apart from its infrastructure, the campus is made up of six types of green areas, all harmoniously interwoven. The first four types in the list below can be seen from this roundabout:
• Agricultural areas, made up of fields and meadows mown by sheep or cows. The grazing areas are located in particular near the main buildings (Internef, Amphipôle, Biophore, etc.). To show that this type of extensive maintenance is the result of a real desire and not simply a case of abandonment, the edges of the meadows bordering the footpaths are marked out by regular mowing.
• Ecological compensation zones, which can be found, for example, in front of and behind the Unithèque and near the Biophore (to the right of the Amphipôle from this roundabout). Hay is only made there after 15 June and sheep only graze there from 1 September to encourage biodiversity, allowing insects, for example, to reproduce.
• Relaxation areas, where the lawn is mown 12 to 15 times a year. In these areas, traditional lawns are increasingly being replaced by flowering lawns. This is the case around the Dorigny Farm and Château, for example. These are forest areas covering 12 hectares, managed by UNIL (but administered by the forest warden). Three aspects are emphasised in the management: ecological (preservation of the undergrowth behind the Unithèque made up of old beech, oak and ash trees, rejuvenation of the forests, etc.), safety (regular checks of trees within a 30-metre radius of the paths) and promotion of hospitality (paths in the forest with educational panels including information on the fauna).
• A small vineyard area (near the Anthropole).
• A large sports area (near the lake).

Generally speaking, it can be said that these different areas are managed year after year with ever greater tolerance for nature. Where possible, extensive areas (meadows and ecological compensation zones) that are favourable to biodiversity are favoured. No green areas have been treated since 2011, with the exception of sports areas, where management is nevertheless rational.

The general principle for all planting (trees, shrubs and plants) is to favour indigenous species. For plants, perennials, which are more perennial, are preferred to annuals. Living hedges (where the trees are not pruned) are made up of black thorn, hornbeam, viburnum, dogwood, yew, etc.

At the fork in the road, turn right and follow the winding lined path to the Belvédère de Dorigny, where you will find an obelisk, ancient lime trees and wooden benches.
From the benches, head down the hill to the top of the hill. From the benches, head down the unique woodland path.
At the bottom of the path, turn right to leave the wood.
Go down the left-hand side of the road, then turn left. After the bridge over the river, cross at the pedestrian crossing and take the wide driveway opposite. Immediately take the footpath on the right.

A total of 12 apple trees were planted here in autumn 2012, including eight on the embankment opposite you. These fruit trees are not treated with any chemicals. Old varieties have been chosen for their better resistance to disease. On the rest of the campus, there are around sixty cherry trees, mainly along the cantonal road, a dozen walnut trees, pear trees, plum trees, mirabelle plum trees, pear trees, fig trees, kiwi trees, quince trees, etc

At the top of the stairs, head completely to the right, along the track of the métro.
But before you do, take a look at the other side of the tracks, where Ferme de la Mouline is located.

The Parks and Gardens Group is part of the UNIBAT department located at Mouline Farm. Over the course of the seasons, employees carry out a wide variety of tasks. However, some of these tasks, such as the removal of large trees, are carried out with the support of external companies.

Before describing some of the main tasks carried out by gardeners, it should be remembered that UNIL's green areas (with the exception of the sports fields, which use organic mineral fertilisers) are not treated with chemicals. This policy means more work, but it is a guarantee of preservation of the natural environment, particularly in terms of biodiversity.

Throughout the year, the gardeners enhance the Dorigny site by maintaining the various green areas (lawn, meadow, forest, vineyard, etc.) and the various campus accesses and pathways (including snow clearing in winter). They also look after the roads and the cleanliness of the site. Spring is the time for planting flowerbeds, fruit trees, etc. and the first mowing of lawns. Summer is the time for watering according to need, and for mowing meadows. Shrubs are pruned in autumn, while fruit trees and large trees are pruned in winter.

Follow the path along the road, then at the fork in the road go down to the right along the small road. At the bottom of the road on your right, you will come across a vineyard.

To complete the overall impression of greenery on the campus, special care is taken by the Parks & Gardens Group with the green beds. This is the case on both sides of the path, with box hedges and copses, small hornbeam trees, periwinkles on the ground and hydrangeas with large chiselled leaves and pink flowers in four colours. Unlike annuals and biennials, perennials last for several years. They usually germinate at the beginning of the year, develop stems and leaves and generally die back in winter, but unlike annuals, they reappear the following spring, and so on..

Pass over the terrace of the Château de Dorigny à the white façade, then go à right after crossing a double box hedge.
Go up the steps opposite, then straight on.
At the Unicentre, look slightly upwards to your right.

In 2012, nine insect huts, built in mélèze by Groupe Parcs & Jardins, were placed around the campus. This system is ideal for solitary bees, ladybirds, earwigs, etc. In winter, it can serve as a refuge for cold-sensitive species, while in spring it allows certain species to reproduce. In addition to this direct action in favour of biodiversity, the installation of these wooden insect huts also has an undeniable impact on the landscape; it also raises questions for walkers who look at them.

In addition to the direct action in favour of biodiversity, the installation of these wooden insect huts also has an undeniable impact on the landscape; it also raises questions for walkers who look at them.

From this building in the Unicentre, you can see the imposing chateau of Naples in the distance.