Pinetum

Gerald Loder collected conifers with a particular passion. As the numbers of trees grew, he realised that his first Pinetum - a conifer plantation - on the Ardingly road side of the estate was too small. In the early 1920s, he expanded the collection by planting right across Westwood Valley to its present position.

After his death in 1936, the area became neglected until, in 1965, a vigorous thinning and clearing programme revealed some extremely rare and very large trees. Conditions had suited them and the Wakehurst Place Pinetum was suddenly revealed to be a place for 'champions' in the world of rare conifers.

Tragically, the Pinetum was then ravaged by the Great Storm of 1987, with some 80% of the trees destroyed. Its very status as a conifer collection was sternly questioned. But, since so many conifers were known to thrive at Wakehurst, and given their importance to the gardens, together with their economic and evolutionary significance as a plant group, it was decided to re-establish the Pinetum.

Few people realise that conifer woodland is the most extensive forest in the world, larger in area than even the tropical rainforest. In the Pinetum, the new plantings are grouped in geographical areas representing Europe, North America, Asia and the Southern Hemisphere, and show variations in the major groups of conifers, particularly firs and spruces.

Christmas Tree Trail

Interestingly, Wakehurst Place is identifying and growing conifers that make better Christmas trees, ones which don't drop their needles so readily, or come 'ready decorated' by nature, with resin-coated white buds and cones.

In December, a leaflet shows excited families to ten different conifers on the Christmas Tree Trail, and a choice of estate-grown trees is sold at both Wakehurst Place and Kew.

Continue the tour

Back up to: Conservation Zone

Carry on to: Francis Rose Reserve