Forestry Commission - News - glorious autumn colour at bedgebury

Autumn is a glorious time of year for a walk down Dallimore Valley in the National Pinetum at Bedgebury (managed by the Forestry Commission).

The walk passes a variety of trees chosen for their spectacular autumn colour

including liquidamber, tulip, ginkgo, oak, black birch and recently-planted nyssa. The spindleberry and maples are already turning a vivid pink. The cornus amomum is covered in metallic blue berries and, as its leaves start to fall, the Katsura tree fills the air with the smell of candy floss. Around Marshal's Lake the dawn redwoods and swamp cypresses, despite being coniferous, take on various shades of burnt orange and foxy red before shedding their needles.

“Everything has flowered well this summer;” says National Pinetum Curator Chris Reynolds. “Due to the warm weather and rain at just the right time, the plants have produced a lot of sugar, ensuring a colourful autumn.”

Autumn is one of the busiest times of the year for preparation and planting at Bedgebury.

“Creating and maintaining this ever-changing scene takes careful planning;” continues Chris Reynolds. “It's put together much like a jigsaw, everything has to be in exactly the right place. A tree will be moved if its shape, colour or size is wrong for the setting. We will be planting a variety of new trees this autumn to create even more colour in years to come.”

As well as the beautiful colours, and the popular new cycling and adventure play trails, there are two other seasonal treats to discover at Bedgebury this autumn.

Seed Gathering Sunday, on 8th October, looks at a variety of trees and their seeds and different methods of seed dispersal. Visitors can then collect and pot them to take away and grow at home. Booking is essential for this event.

Bedgebury will also be hosting an all day drop-in art event as part of The Big Draw during half term on Tuesday 24th October; an ideal opportunity for both children and adults to explore their artistic tendencies.

The Autumn Trail is available at Bedgebury’s Visitor Centre from the end of September.

Please note that all events should be booked through the Visitor Information Centre – 01580 211781

Bedgebury National Pinetum & Forest, Park Lane, Goudhurst, Kent TN17 2SL

www.forestry.gov.uk/bedgebury

Note to editors

Open 365 days a year, Bedgebury is now the perfect place for walking, cycling, riding and playing in a spectacular world of trees. The National Pinetum is a world-class collection of dramatic conifers and provides a beautiful setting for a country walk in all seasons. The two thousand-acre Bedgebury Forest now offers miles of family cycling, mountain-biking, riding, walking and adventure play for all ages and abilities. The new Visitor Centre has cycle hire, refreshments, showers and an education/community room. As a location for healthy outdoor activity in a beautiful setting, Bedgebury is in a class of its own.

Media Contact:

Peter d’Aguilar - 01580 211044 x 233.

peter.d’aguilar@forestry.gsi.gov.uk