Autumn Colour

 

PRESS RELEASE
WESTONBIRT  THE NATIONAL ARBORETUM

For immediate release: 15 July 2008

Westonbirt ablaze with autumn colour

New England or Old England? Why fly halfway round the world and clock up those air miles when one of the world’s finest autumn spectacles is on the doorstep at Westonbirt The National Arboretum in Gloucestershire.

From around mid-October into November, Westonbirt’s Japanese maples - Britain’s largest collection - are a riot of colour. At this 600-acre tree garden, a world of trees and shrubs has been brought together in one glorious place, and at this time of the year the Persian ironwoods and American smoke bushes put on an equally colourful show.
As the season progresses new trees get in on the act. Ironwoods change from yellow and orange in to deep plum purple, hickories turn to gold and by late October the fiery red Japanese maples are the undisputed stars. In the Old Arboretum, Acer Glade is the traditional autumn ‘Mecca’ but now annual ‘leaf-peepers’ are increasingly heading for the National Collection of Japanese maples in Silk Wood. In all, about 350 cultivated varieties create a dazzling display. 

Hugh Angus, Westonbirt’s Head of Tree Collections, said: “Autumn is the crescendo of the four seasons - think of a colour and one of our trees will be displaying it somewhere. This seasonal spectacle never fails to raise the spirits.”

For keen autumn watchers, a regular blog will chart the progress of this seasonal colour, and the weekly ‘hotspots’ at the national arboretum can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt.

To catch all the highlights of the season, take the Westonbirt autumn trail  simply pick up a trail leaflet at the Great Oak Hall on arrival. The Plant Centre here has a wide range of acers for sale, including the arborteum’s own ‘Westonbirt Red’ and ‘Westonbirt Orange’ – both renowned for their autumn colour.

And for an instant update of where to watch Autumn across the UK, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/autumn

Westonbirt Arboretum is managed by the Forestry Commission. It is open all year round  from 9am-5pm. During autumn, admission to the whole arboretum is £8 for adults (£7 concessions), £2 for children (18yrs and under). Annual membership is also available.

Westonbirt Arboretum is three miles south west of Tetbury on the A433 (Tetbury to Bath Road).  It is 10 miles north east of Junction 18 of the M4, and south-east of junction 13 of the M5.

- ENDS 

For further information, please contact Gail McKenzie, Communications Officer, Westonbirt  The National Arboretum, on 01666 881 207
email: gail.mckenzie@forestry.gsi.gov.uk