National Tree Week 2013 takes place during 23rd November – 1st December; so it seemed a good reason to inspire you with trees for your garden by sharing some views of Winkworth Arboretum in Surrey from our garden visit there last autumn.
Winkworth is an arboretum, which means it is a collection of both broad leaved, or deciduous, trees and of narrow leaved conifers, or evergreen, trees. The plural of arboretum is correctly arboreta not arboretums! A pinetum is a collection not just of pine trees but of all conifers; a couple of which are actually deciduous rather than evergreens; Larch and Gingko being the deciduous conifers.
Although now successfully owned and managed by the National Trust, the land which has become Winkworth Arboretum was originally bought and planted by Dr Wilfred Fox in 1937. His enthusiasm for trees and his desire to learn more about them led to his being awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Victoria Medal of Honour in recognition of his achievements.
A far more public and visible achievement can be enjoyed by those who visit Winkworth Arboretum; particularly in the autumn when the massed plantings of Acers – Fox’s favourite species – are bursting with colour. He also loved and planted Cedars and Prunus. Prunus species include edible cherry trees, but also ornamental species such as Prunus serrula, snake bark maple; all of which do well at Winkworth.
Set on a sloping site, the arboretum offers some wonderful vistas through the trees. The owl sculpture is a chainsaw carving, part of a bench overlooking one of the stunning views towards the lower arboretum.
National Tree Week
National Tree Week, an annual event which began in 1975, highlights the beginning of the winter tree planting season. There are plenty of events happening in woodlands, forests, parks, arboreta and pineta across Great Britain to help you enjoy the beauty that is a tree. For example, both the Tree Council and the Woodland Trust are putting on family activities.
Trees also have a place in our streets and in our gardens; why not visit a tree collection such as Winkworth Arboretum to be inspired and then ask Plews to help you choose the correct trees to turn your garden into a magical woodland?
There are other tips and tricks, some of which can be found in other Plews Potting Shed blogs, including the selection below, our monthly Tipsheet and regularly on Instagram and Facebook
Making your life easier and enabling you to enjoy your garden is part of what we discuss when we come to design your garden and give gardening lessons in your garden.
Gardening articles you may enjoy from our Award Winning Blog
Celebrating Trees for National Tree Week
Coppiced Trees and Shrubs in Your Garden
