Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum

Blog

Winter highlight: Incense cedar

Our December tree of the month is the Incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens), one of the most fire and drought-tolerant plants from California.

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Autumn highlight: Hollyberry cotoneaster

This month’s tree of the month is the Hollyberry cotoneaster, a species of shrub in the genus Cotoneaster within the rose family.

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Never a dull day at the 'birt'

It is always wonderful to hear compliments about the arboretum from visitors and industry peers. As Collection Manager, it makes me proud to have a degree of influence in how it all comes together to form the jewel in Forestry England’s crown.

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Zero waste by 2030

Posted in: Blog

Digging deep into Westonbirt's waste and a greener future. As part of Westonbirt's plan to get to net-zero by 2030 we've been working with an environmental consultancy, Avieco, to help develop a strategy for our waste and energy.

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Autumn highlight: Japanese maple ‘Vitifolium’

This maple cultivar comes into its own in the autumn, when the large, vine-like leaves, turn a rich variety of reds. Find out more about this showstopper...

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What does Westonbirt mean to you?

As generations visit Westonbirt Arboretum through the years, memories are made. Share your stories of Westonbirt with us...

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Mowing season

Mowing is one of those tasks, you either love it or hate it. From manicured lawns to wild jungle-like gardens, they all take time to manage. Read on to find out more about how the Tree Team manages Westonbirt's grass...

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Autumn highlight: Katsura

A treat for the senses in autumn, the Katsura is a favourite species of many visitors. Read our tree of the month blog to find out more about this species...

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Summer highlight: Pheasant berry

The attractive Pheasant berry shrub is our tree of the month - much loved by game birds such as pheasants for its fruit!...

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Things to do at Westonbirt this summer

This summer, we want Westonbirt Arboretum to be a place you can visit with the family to boost everyone’s wellbeing. Discover this summer's highlights...

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Summer highlight: Flowering dogwood

This month we’re featuring the flowering dogwood, a tree with origins in North America that is worth seeking out throughout the year whether it’s in flower or not.

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The Grimm Sisters

Posted in: Blog Events

Would you like to hear a remarkable story? We promise it will only be a little bit gory...

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Spring highlight: Foxglove tree

This month we’re showcasing a highly decorative specimen, the Foxglove Tree. With four species of this tree located in the arboretum, you’ll want to seek them out to experience these ornamental beauties.

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Spring highlight: Chinese parasol storax

Discover more about this rare and very scarcely grown plant, originally from China in this tree of the month blog.

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Spring highlight: Long may she bloom!

Last year we asked you to help us choose a cultivar name for our new Magnolia hybrid, Magnolia sprengeri × campbellii. And with a landslide victory, the name chosen was……Westonbirt Hope...

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