The University Forest ranges from about 990m to 1,060m a.s.l. The soil is immature, originating from volcanic gravels. Annual average temperature is 9.1°C, precipitation is around 2,744mm, the minimum temperature was minus 16.6°C and the maximum snow depth was 98cm over the last ten years (from 2001 to 2010).
The forest is located in the higher region of cool temperate forests. Some of the area is covered by stands dominated by larch in the crown story, being replaced by native broad-leaved trees. Various plantations of different tree species have been observed and about 150 tree species have been recorded.