Students past and present mourn University of Sydney's famous jacaranda tree

It's been at the centre - literally - of student life at the University of Sydney for decades, but the famed jacaranda tree occupying the main quadrangle collapsed overnight, prompting an outpouring of tributes on social media. 

The tree has been a source of superstition for students since it was planted in 1928, with folklore declaring that if one failed to begin studying before the famous jacaranda's first bloom appeared you would fail your exams. 

The famous jacaranda tree has been uprooted over night. Photo: Nick Moir

The tree has also been the backdrop for thousands of graduation and wedding photos over its 88-year lifetime.

"We are saddened to advise the University community that the beloved jacaranda tree which has thrived in its Main Quadrangle since 1928 collapsed last night," a statement from the university said.

Past and current students took to social media to pay their respect to their beloved tree.

There was, however, a silver lining.

In 2014, the university hired a specialist jacaranda grower to take cuttings of the famous tree to be grafted on to the base of other jacarandas to ensure the tree lives on.

"Grafted onto the base of other jacarandas, the cuttings have produced two clones," the statement said. "This means that the University will be able to replace the jacaranda with genetically identical stock."