Saying Goodbye to an Old Tree, Welcoming New Life: NUK Transforms Campus Landscape into a Living Lesson in Sustainability and Life Education
2026-03-28
On March 28, the National University of Kaohsiung (NUK) held a featured event as part of its 2026 Sustainability Week titled “Farewell to the Coral Tree, Awaiting New Happiness.” The event marked the farewell of a coral tree that had been part of campus life for 26 years while welcoming a naturally sprouted Chinese hackberry sapling growing at the same site. Through ceremonies, exhibitions, and participatory design activities, NUK transformed a campus landscape into an environmental education space that reflects its integrated approach to spatial governance, life education, and sustainable development.
NUK President Chen Chi-Jen stated that the coral tree had been transplanted to campus during the university’s founding years and had long been part of students’ and faculty members’ daily lives, witnessing the university’s development from its early stages to the present. He emphasized that campuses are shaped not only by buildings and infrastructure, but also by collective memories and lived experiences. When spaces carry stories, sustainability becomes more than a slogan—it becomes something people can understand and practice.
He noted that the coexistence of the aging tree’s decline and the emergence of new life provides an opportunity to rethink the relationship between replacement and continuity.
“This is not simply about attending a ceremony,” he said. “It is about becoming part of the story—protecting greenery, preserving history, and carrying life forward.”
Retired Professor Huang Shih-Meng, who previously served as Director of General Affairs, reflected on NUK’s early years when the campus was still under construction. Large-scale land development shaped the current landscape, while teaching and living spaces remained relatively modest. He recalled that faculty and students gradually built campus culture despite limited resources.
The coral tree was transplanted during that early period, but soil and environmental limitations affected its long-term growth. Huang emphasized that the value of campus spaces lies in their ability to be remembered—from shaded seating areas to the perspectives from which people experience them. He encouraged preserving the historical meaning of the tree so that the campus remains a place rich with stories and cultural memory.
Director of General Affairs Chen Yi-Kai explained that NUK has gradually established a tree risk assessment and health monitoring system in recent years. Older trees and those affected by pests or disease are regularly evaluated and managed based on professional assessments to ensure both campus safety and ecological preservation.
The coral tree had been a prominent campus landmark since being transplanted in 2000. However, beginning in 2005, it suffered repeated infestations from the invasive Erythrina gall wasp. Despite years of treatment and restoration efforts, the infestation could not be fully controlled. Combined with structural damage caused by typhoons, the tree’s health continued to decline, ultimately leading to the difficult decision to remove it for safety and ecological management reasons.
The event featured photo exhibitions documenting the tree’s history, storytelling sessions with founding faculty members, and educational displays to help participants understand the tree’s significance. Attendees were also invited to observe the cutting and relocation process, deepening awareness of tree care and urban forestry management. DIY commemorative activities allowed participants to transform campus memories into meaningful keepsakes.
At the same time, the naturally emerging sapling at the original site symbolized a new beginning. During a welcoming ceremony, students and faculty wrote blessing cards expressing hopes for the young tree’s future growth, representing ecological cycles and the continuity of life.
Under the Sustainability Week theme “Remembering the Coral Tree, Embracing New Growth,” NUK turned natural change into an educational opportunity—honoring the past while looking toward the future.
The university also launched a storytelling campaign titled “Days with the Coral Tree,” inviting students, faculty, and alumni to share memories and photographs connected to the campus landmark. Moving forward, NUK plans to continue integrating campus spaces into teaching initiatives and public engagement efforts, ensuring that sustainability extends beyond environmental maintenance to include cultural preservation and everyday practice.
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