Westonbirt Arboretum: Home to Five National Tree Collections
Westonbirt Arboretum is a treasure trove of plant diversity and history, with five National Tree Collections designated by Plant Heritage. Through your generous donations, the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum (The Friends) supports the arboretum in a number of ways. The Friends help to fund the care and maintenance of the tree collections, as well as educational programmes and other initiatives that promote public understanding and appreciation of trees.
Japanese maple cultivars
Westonbirt is world-famous for its collection of Japanese maple cultivars, which contains around 297 different types. Maples have been an important part of the arboretum since the early 1980s, and today people flock from all over the world to see their spectacular autumn colours. Don’t miss them in spring too!
Maples
Maples are synonymous with Westonbirt Arboretum. Their spectacular autumn colours draw visitors from all over the world, but these majestic trees are worth seeking out at other times of year as well. In spring, maples burst into bloom as their young leaves emerge in a kaleidoscope of colours, from lime green to bronze to purple.
Bladdernut
Bladdernut (Staphylea) is a small but beautiful genus, with only 11 species and a number of cultivars. The flowers of the bladdernut are not only beautiful, they are also fragrant, filling the air with a sweet scent.
Lime
Westonbirt Arboretum's collection of lime trees is one of the most comprehensive in the world, with over 40 different genera represented. One of the highlights of the collection is the 2000-year-old small-leaved lime, which is one of the oldest trees in the UK.
Walnut
Westonbirt Arboretum has around 25 different types of walnut family trees, but the grandest is the hybrid wingnut, Pterocarya x rehderiana. It is a large, deciduous tree with long, feathery leaves and clusters of winged nuts in autumn.
Westonbirt Arboretum's five National Tree Collections are a treasure trove of biodiversity and beauty. Whether you're a tree enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply looking for a beautiful place to relax and explore, Westonbirt has something to offer everyone.
The Friends play a vital role in supporting the arboretum and its important work. By becoming a member of The Friends, you can help to ensure that Westonbirt remains a world-class arboretum for all to enjoy for generations to come.
