Westonbirt Arboretum’s world-famous collection of Japanese maples is under threat from climate change.
As the leaves of these beautiful trees start turning bright red and yellow for their stunning autumn show, research by the Forestry Commission is revealing that that this national collection, Britain’s largest, could be vulnerable to climate change in the future. Sustained action has to be started now to ensure that the autumn colours at Westonbirt continue to thrill future generations.
These Japanese maples appear to be particularly vulnerable to the predicted hotter, drier summers and more frequent and severe droughts. To date, nearly half of all the 16,000 tree specimens at Westonbirt have been assessed for their drought tolerance by Forest Research (the Forestry Commission’s research agency), working closely with Westonbirt’s own experts. Of all these various types of trees, almost 25% seem to be drought intolerant. And the Japanese maples stand out as being the most at risk due to their shallow roots and preference for deeper, moisture retentive soils.
Fortunately, an enormous amount can be done to safeguard these and all the other wonderful trees at Westonbirt.
This October, the National Arboretum is launching the Westonbirt Project - a multi-million pound development plan to not only protect this important and unrivalled tree collection but also conserve and share the unique heritage of this 600-acre Grade1 listed landscape. It will remain not only a great place to visit, but increasingly a place to learn more about trees and their importance to the future of the planet.
Simon Toomer, Westonbirt Arboretum’s new Director, said:
“Thousands of people flock to Westonbirt each autumn to stand and wonder at the spectacular seasonal colours. Westonbirt is a national treasure, and we’re doing everything we can to make sure it remains so for generations to come.
“It’s vital that we act now. Working closely with scientists at Forest Research, our expert team here at Westonbirt will safeguard these important trees, and pass on the lessons learned to help climate-proof Britain’s trees and woodlands.
"Because trees live for such a long time, the decisions about what to grow, and where, must to be made on a timescale of decades and centuries, not years. Making the trees more resilient to drought will include moving vulnerable trees into areas with deeper, more water retentive soil, as well as on-site expert tree propagation and good soil management to conserve water supplies.
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NOTES TO EDITOR
- Image of autumn at Westonbirt Arboretum attached – credit Sarah Howard.
- Westonbirt - The National Arboretum is managed by the Forestry Commission and renowned worldwide for its tree and shrub collection. It contains nearly 16,000 specimens, including almost half of the woody plants known to grow in the world's temperate climate zone. It covers 600 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. Its importance is recognised by English Heritage's Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historical Interest as a Grade 1 registered Landscape. Visitor numbers are 350,000 a year, with a membership of over 21,000.
- Westonbirt Arboretum is in Gloucestershire 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.
- Westonbirt Arboretum was established in the 1850s by wealthy landowner Robert Holford, and later developed by his son George Holford. Much of Westonbirt's renowned autumn colour is credited to Sir George's plantings of Japanese maples between 1875 and 1900, many of which are still alive today. Unlike many arboreta, Westonbirt is laid out according to aesthetic appeal rather than scientific or geographical criteria, and the Holfords' legacy is open for all to enjoy - a beautiful, relaxing and unique day out among some of the tallest, oldest and rarest trees and shrubs in Britain.
- Westonbirt is home to the National Japanese Maple (Acer) Collection, with over 350 different types in the collection. The Forestry Commission opened Westonbirt Arboretum to the public in 1961, and in 1966 a new Acer Glade was established, alongside the original one planted by Robert and George Holford in 1875.
- Within the arboretum, Acer Glade is the traditional autumn ‘Mecca’, but annual ‘leaf-peepers’ are increasingly heading for the National Collection of Japanese maples in Silk Wood. In October and November , a regular ‘Autumn Watch’ blog charting the progress of the seasonal colour, with weekly ‘hotspots’ - www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt
- The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible in England for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woods and forests and increasing their value to society and the environment. Forestry makes a real contribution to sustainable development, providing social and environmental benefits arising from planting and managing attractive, as well as productive, woodlands. Further information can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk
For further information, please contact Gail McKenzie, Communications Officer, Westonbirt The National Arboretum, on 01666 881 207 email: gail.mckenzie@forestry.gsi.gov.uk