Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum

Autumnal highlights: A chip off the old block

Posted: November 1, 2012 at 10:54 am Author: Caroline Bennett

As part of Westonbirt's activities for families this October, Caroline Bennett from our Learning and Participation Team has created a trail of autumnal highlights which will run from 29 October - 2 November. Here are some of the fascinating facts she has researched...

Prunus serrulata 'Tai Haku' great white or hill cherry_AMGilbert_highres

The Great White Cherry produces lots of double white blossoms in spring that fall to the ground like snow. It is a cultivar bred for its beautiful flowers, but not its seeds.

The Great White Cherry or ‘Tai Haku’ cherry rarely produces viable seed. This tree, like many cultivars, will have be grown from a cutting which is in effect a clone of the parent tree.

Though plant cloning might sound like something from science fiction, humans have been growing plants in this way for thousands of years.

Useful links

Become a member of the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum and your kids will go free for a year. Join now...