Arboretum species

Atlas Cedar tree

Cedars are familiar trees that speak very much for themselves. They all become huge, and they all have layered evergreen foliage. Atlas cedar is the tallest, often with several lofty stems at the centre of a tiered flat-topped crown. The needles are slightly greyer than those of Lebanon cedar but the difference is debatable. The two are probably only geographic races of the same thing. Indeed some...[more]

Blue Atlas Cedar tree

This robust blue-grey needled conifer is indispensable in most ornamental tree collections. It is the ideal foil for anything with golden or copper foliage, and even 'sets off' many green leaved plants beautifully. Young trees are particularly glaucous and stand alone as excellent specimens. They may be encouraged to restrict themselves to one stem or allowed to follow the Atlas cedar tendency to ...[more]

Brewers Spruce

Although now rare in the wild (the Siskiyou Mountains, USA) this tree, since 1897, has become common in British arboreta. The distinctive hanging curtains of deep green foliage on stiff horizontal branches immediately give its identity away. Its tall slender outline and conical top resemble a green fountain frozen in time. Moderately high rainfall and slightly acid soils are preferred but this spr...[more]

Cappadocian Maple tree

The most striking feature of this maple is the way it suckers from the roots. In a short period of time after planting it may develop into a thicket. In a further 20 years it will become a small wood with new pale grey beech like stems many metres away from the original plant. It is however a good ornamental tree. In the autumn the finely cut glossy leaves turn to butter-yellow. The medium sized r...[more]

Cedar of Lebanon tree

This is the classic flat topped cedar tree. It will eventually produce a huge but usually short trunk and massive spreading horizontal branches. It has become rare in the wild now, so it is worth growing in a collection for conservation reasons, and for its historical and biblical associations. This is a tree that cries out to be planted in isolation. It is a living monument in its own right. It i...[more]

Chinese Mountain Ash tree

This tree from China transplants well. Gives good, rather unusual foilage and very unsual fruit. Broad-conic crown. Striking red leaves in Autumn, followed by porcelain looking berries. The berries are not stripped off so rapidly by birds as they prefer the red berries. This rowan would make a splendid specimen tree or used for an avenue. Remains a pleasing shape all year round without the need ...[more]

Cider Gum tree

A handful of Eucalyptus species will grow in Britain. Cider gum was introduced from its native tasmania in 1846 and 1850. Given a good supply of ground water this tree will develop very rapidly indeed. Remember it needs plenty of space when you choose a planting site for it. Unfortunately its leaves do not have much of the pleasant Eucalyptus smell. It does have striking brilliant blue almost circ...[more]

Cockspur Thorn

There are several American 'cockspur thorns'. They are attractive fairly small (7 metre) mop-headed trees with good creamy-white spring flowers and relatively large berries in clusters in the autumn. These may be accompanied by brightly coloured autumn foliage. Cockspur thorns have unique woody spines, viciously sharp and around 5cm long. Most arboreta develop a collection of thorns which may beco...[more]

Cut-leaved Birch tree

This cultivar of common silver birch has all the features of the silver birch but in addition it has finely cut foliage. Furthermore most specimens are very symmetrical and elegant, with fine graceful branches and drooping shoots. This is a good landscape plant having a bright silver and brown stem and light airy foliage. Almost no shade is cast and it will not block a vista or long view. It will ...[more]

Dawn Redwood tree

This relic of a 200 million year old fossil species was considered to be extinct until live plants were discovered in China in 1946. Seed reached the Arnold Arboretum in January and March 1948. Over 600 packets were then dispatched to botanic gardens and arboreta world wide. It is a straight, tall deciduous conifer. The grass green summer foliage turns pink and golden brown in the autumn before fa...[more]

Double Gean

This is probably the best white cherry in cultivation. Like its parent the native wild cherry it makes a big tree. It is equally as floriferous as any white Japanese cultivar but does not have the stunted appearance most mature Japanese cherries take on. Clusters of drooping double white flowers occur at the same time as many tulips and early bedding plants making this the ideal spring garden and ...[more]

Foxglove tree

The ultimate size of any Foxglove tree planted in Britain is difficult to predict. Usually a round head of stout spreading branches is produced on a short stem up to 15 metres tall. Occasionally specimens will grow rapidly upwards for 20 metres and produce a long clear grey barked trunk. The main ornamental feature has to be the heliotropic flowers, they are funnel-like, 5-6cm long and pale violet...[more]

Gold Hornet Crabapple

This is one of the most popular crab apples in Britain. It was first produced by Waterer's Nursery in England in 1949. It is a small low crowned semi-weeping grafted tree covered with starry white flowers in late spring. However the fruit creates the best effect. The tiny apples are numerous and bright yellow. Many will stay on the tree until mid winter when there is hardly any other bright colour...[more]

Golden Irish Yew

This male tree has the same upright form as green Irish yew. It was first cultivated in 1880. Unless planted in a particularly moist fertile site it is slow to establish itself. This can however be an advantage in a confined area or where something relatively permanent is needed. Trees can be planted near hard landscape features such as steps and statues without much danger of obscuring them for a...[more]

Golden Japanese Maple tree

This small picturesque distinctly Japanese tree brings a flash of gold to the arboretum throughout the summer months. It has rounded yellow leaves, each having about 11 toothed lobes. It is very much an enthusiasts plant. It is quite unpredictable and requires a lot of cultural attention. Occasionally old trees are found but generally it is short lived and may be expected to last only 40 years. If...[more]