Some mature trees with autumnal leaves standing over a black bench
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The Forest arboretum

Discover a fascinating collection of over 600 trees and shrubs in our arboretum. Unlike the native broadleaf species that we plant in the rest of the Forest, here you will find specimens from around the world, chosen because they are of special interest. This means there is something unusual about their features such as their bark, foliage, form, or smell. 

Take a tour of the arboretum

Take an autumn walk through the arboretum with Stephen, our Head Forester, and learn about the history of this special place in the Forest and some of the interesting trees that can be found here.

Our Head Forester's favourite trees

The Serbian spruce (Picea omorika) is an evergreen conifer that appears in upright and weeping varieties in the Arboretum. It has dark green, needle-like leaves and narrow, leathery-scaled cones.
Close up of the green, needle-like leaves of the Serbian spruce.
Originating in the native forests of Japan and China, the UK version of the katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) is largely ornamental. The leaves which are pink in the spring, turn to green during summer and then to a wide range of yellows and scarlets in the autumn. When its leaves turn, they give off a distinctive and sugary scent like candyfloss.
Branches of small, round, yellow katsura tree leaves hanging from branches
Fastigious hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) is a medium-sized, deciduous hornbeam which is very regular and erect when young but becomes more rounded with age. It has ovate, ribbed leaves and can reach up to 50 metres tall.
Close up of branch of yellowing hornbeam leaves, yellowing in autumn.
Also known as the Japanese emperor oak, the species is native to the land of the rising sun and can also be found in Korea and China. ‘Daimyo’ refers to the feudal lords who ruled Japan for centuries. In English the name is often translated to ‘sweet oak’ to distinguish it from Western oak species.
Close up of green daimyo oak leaves

Visiting the Arboretum

You can find the arboretum by stepping off the Founder's Walk in the Dorsington area of the Forest. 

The arboretum is spectacular all year round, but we love visiting during autumn when all the leaves are turning. The changing colour of the leaves and bark, and fruits starting to reach harvest time make the arboretum a delight to the senses, as well as a calm and restful place to be. Here are some of our autumn highlights.