Forestry Commission - News - westonbirt creates anniversary maples to mark 50 years of public access to the national arboretum

Westonbirt, the National Arboretum, is marking the 50th anniversary of ownership by the Forestry Commission in 2006 by cultivating a special anniversary Maple, from its world famous maple collection.

The commemorative trees, named Acer palmatum ‘Westonbirt Red’ and Acer palmatum ‘Westonbirt Orange’, have been cultivated from cuttings taken from two Maple specimens of outstanding beauty growing within the arboretum’s Gloucestershire grounds. The Maple Collection at Westonbirt is renowned worldwide for its spectacular show of colour during the autumn months.

The Tree Collections team at the arboretum, headed by Hugh Angus, worked with Peter Gregory and Cor van Gelderen, both world experts on Maples, to select plants that were both particular to the Arboretum grounds and also distinctive from other cultivated Maples.

Says Hugh Angus, Head of Tree Collections at the Arboretum: “The idea of having maples ready for the 50 celebration started around 2000. The trees were then selected after an extended period of observation and propagation beginning in 2003.”

“The ‘Westonbirt Red’ has been cultivated from a Maple of striking, low growing form with a spreading habit, which turns a vivid red in the autumn.”

Maple expert, and former Superintendent at Westonbirt Arboretum, Peter Gregory, commented: “The chosen Red is particularly brilliant – even giving off a glow after dusk. Standing about ten foot tall, it has a distinctive shallow domed crown, branching out across the top. This makes the ‘Westonbirt Red’ quite unlike any other Maple available on the market.”

Maple expert, Cor Van Gelderen, whose nursery in Holland has been propagating the plants since they were first grafted in 2000, said: “The Westonbirt Orange shows a very good, rich orange colour in Autumn, following a second flush in July/August in a lovely orange/bronze. Its habit is similar to Westonbirt Red but it differs in its summer foliage.”
Westonbirt Arboretum director, John Weir, said: “The 2006 Westonbirt Maple is the spearhead of our anniversary’s mission to connect people with trees. It offers members of the public the unique opportunity to plant in their gardens an enduring element of the best that the arboretum grounds have to offer.”

The original Westonbirt Maples will be available to view in all their glory at the Arboretum this Autumn. The cultivars will be available from Westonbirt Arboretum Plant Centre in Spring 2006.

For further information on Westonbirt Arboretum please contact Suzy Barnes or Charlotte Hazelby at CSPR, on 0870 442 0600, or email charlotte@cspr.uk.com or suzy@cspr.uk.com

Notes to editors:

Westonbirt 2006 – The National Arboretum anniversary year.

Westonbirt Arboretum possesses one of the finest collections of trees and shrubs in the country. First planted in the mid-nineteenth century by wealthy aristocrat Robert Staynor Holford, it was further developed and cared for by his son Sir George Holford until his death in 1926. Both men combined their love of plants with an eye for design and it was their skill in planting that resulted in the superb landscapes that visitors enjoy today. Of particular renown are the Japanese maples that provide the backbone to one of the finest displays of autumn colour to be seen.

Holford selected Japanese Maples purely on autumn colour when he first planted them and did so repeatedly by collecting seeds from the most striking specimens and then planting out the best ones in the arboretum. The plants in the Maple Glade have been grown from seeds collected in the Old Arboretum, again selected for their autumn colour. The Westonbirt Red and the Westonbirt Orange are the result of purposeful selection for almost 150 years.

Since 1956 the arboretum has been owned and managed by The Forestry Commission, giving public access to the grounds for the first time as well as providing the benefits of education, recreation and conservation. The year 2006 is a double celebration for Westonbirt Arboretum – marking both 50 years of Forestry Commission management and the 21st anniversary of The Friends – the registered charity established to support the Forestry Commission in the upkeep and development of the Arboretum.

Over 350,000 visitors now visit the arboretum annually, many taking part in the range of events and courses that are organised throughout the year. As well a well-stocked plant centre and shop, ‘Maples’ restaurant provides a range of good food with indoor and terrace dining areas.

The Forestry Commission is supported in its management of the arboretum by the charity, The Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum. Their headquarters in The Great Oak Hall provides wedding and conference facilities as well as an information point for visitors. Membership of ‘The Friends’ is open to everyone and includes free entry to the arboretum as well as a range of other benefits.