ABSTRACT

A tree is a tall plant that can live for a very long time, it has a single stem or trunk and branches that support leaves, and it is a tall plant that regularly renews its growth. Trees are very important to man and the environment, they can be used for food, ornamentals, shade, windbreak and construction. This study was conducted in randomly selected locations within the campus namely: Main Gate, Optometry/ Geology, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Basement, VC’s office, Sports Complex, Life Sciences (MCB, PBB/ AEB, EMT), Hall 1/ Hall 2, Physiology, Uniben Microfinance Bank Area and John Harris Library Area to document trees found within the premises of the University of Benin and to compare some of the sampled locations with each other to ascertain similarities of tree species documented using Sorenson’s similarity index . The most common tree species found were Greenwayodendron suaveloens, Roystonea regia, Terminalia catappa, Terminalia ivorensis, Citrus sinensis. Most dominant familes were  Arecaceae, Combretaceae, Fabaceae, Moraceae. The results obtained from Sorenson’s index implied that most sites were dissimilar with calculated Sorenson’s value of 8 % – 33 % except  for Optometry and Chemistry, Pharmacy and VC’s Office, Sport’s  Complex and Uniben Microfinance Bank with the calculated Sorenson’s value of 66 %, 55 % and 90 % respectively. The study area is highly threatened by deforestation for endless infrastructural developments regardless of their environmental/ Ornamental roles and other invaluable benefits. In conclusion, enlightenment, planting and protecting trees is a true answer to the rapid decrease in the number of tree species in this esteemed institution, these diverse trees are of great importance as they provide irreplaceable ecological and economic services.