Returning students and visitors may notice that the raised central area of Cripps Court looks a little different compared to back in June.
27th July 2026
Over the summer, we had a sudden change in scenery when the Mulberry Tree in the centre of Cripps Court suffered a major natural break. The heavy weight of the fruit and the sheer width of the limbs meant it could no longer support itself. This is a common occurrence for Mulberry trees, as they are known to have brittle branches that grow out wide rather than vertical, as such the Gardening team at Queens’ has propped and strapped the tree over the years, but ultimately the prolonged dry weather combined with the fruit season became too much, and the central trunks gave way.
Emergency work has been carried out to pollard the tree as an initial phase to assess the tree’s condition and remove the damaged limbs to make the area safe. While the change is dramatic, it will enable the College to work on saving the remaining young growth to allow the tree to flourish over the next few years.
Mulberry trees have existed at Queens’ for centuries, with evidence of an original tree dating back to 1825. In 1971, two branches were cut off the well-established Mulberry tree in the old Fellows’ Garden (now Cripps Court) and planted in an area safe from the building work. One cutting survived and became the tree we see today.
Mulberry trees are known to be fast growing and provide fruit abundantly throughout the autumn, it has been known for juvenile branches can grow as much as 3 feet per year. We appreciate the visual difference in Cripps Court may appear shocking, but it is hoped the tree will begin to flourish again under the watchful eye of our dedicated Gardens Team, and now have the space needed to continue its lifecycle with newer, stronger limbs that will withstand many more years.
Queens’ College will be commencing a 20-week planned maintenance and repair programme on its river walls along the River Cam.
2nd November 2026
October has been an exciting month for progress over at our Owlstone Croft site. At the start of October, we marked a major milestone by hosting a topping-out ceremony to celebrate reaching the full height of the first of four new timber-framed postgraduate accommodation terraces.
29th October 2026
Back in 2021, Queens’ College partnered with IntoUniversity to launch the IntoUniversity Bradford East learning centre. Since opening in Holmewood in 2021, the centre has worked with over 3,000 young people, helping them develop academic skills, build confidence and explore their interests, education and career options.
28th October 2026
Last week, we marked a major milestone at Owlstone Croft with a topping out ceremony, celebrating the structural completion of the first new postgraduate accommodation terrace.
5th October 2026
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