By Alexa Wingate

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UK has announced a tree planting initiative that will include nearly 430 new trees being planted around campus over the next year.

About half of the trees will be planted in key areas around campus, and the others will be planted near Alumni Drive as part of a federal flood management project, according to a UK news release.

The project includes nearly 130 trees being planted this spring and another 80 to 100 trees this fall in 16 areas of throughout campus, according to UK’s news release.

The landscape design will create a “vibrant future for our students, community and the Commonwealth,” President Eli Capilouto said.

The committee is “planning strategically” and looking through all open spaces to fill, said vice president for facilities management Bob Wiseman. The trees being planted will include white oaks, honey locusts, elms and other hardwood trees.

“The University of Kentucky has made a significant investment for the future of campus,” forestry student Hannah Angel said. This development will help maintain a “healthy and sustainable campus environment.”

George Riddle, the manager of the Physical Plant’s grounds department and his team will be among the few to plant the 150 trees around campus.

“The trees will be coming from around the Lexington area from a farm along with some trees from Ohio,” Riddle said.

The team will take into consideration the plants and the buildings when landscaping around campus, Wiseman said.

The first thing you do is put in your bones, Riddle said. “This is the structure of the landscape.” Evergreens will then be put in as the backdrop, then shrubs and flowers after.

“Keep it simple,” Riddle said. “The simpler, the better. I like the buildings to speak for themselves and the plants to complement them.”

This is the busiest time of the year for landscapers, Riddle said. “The peak of the season is here.”