Two towering oak trees that have stood near Rice Village for approximately 70 years have a new home as part of Rice University’s ambitious Gateway Project, which will transform the west side of campus and strengthen connections to the surrounding community.
The trees, each approximately 50 feet tall, have been relocated to the site of the future Gateway Park near the corner of Greenbriar Drive and the planned Amherst roadway extension. The park will be among the first phases of the Gateway Project, a broader initiative announced in November 2025 to create a more pedestrian-friendly connection between Rice’s campus and the heart of Rice Village.
Rather than removing the trees and planting replacements, Rice is preserving these mature oaks to serve as natural anchors for the new park. Their established canopies will provide immediate shade, help cool the surrounding area and create a welcoming green space for residents, students and visitors. Additional trees will also be planted as the park takes shape.
The relocation was led by Rice Real Estate Co. in partnership with the Rice Village Management District. Environmental Design Inc. (EDI), a Texas-based company specializing in large-tree relocation, began the process the week of Oct. 5.
Preparations began nearly a year earlier, when the trees’ roots were pruned and their root balls prepared to help them adjust before the move. Both trees underwent evaluations of their health, root structures and soil conditions to determine their suitability for relocation.
EDI, which has relocated large trees since 1977 and reports a 98% survival rate for specimen trees, will continue caring for the oaks over the next three years as their roots become established in their new surroundings.
The future Gateway Park represents an early step in Rice’s larger vision to enhance connectivity, preserve natural assets and create vibrant public spaces in Rice Village. The broader Gateway Project will introduce new parks, plazas and infrastructure while transforming the university’s western edge into a more inviting gateway between campus and the surrounding neighborhood.