Our Window on Westonbirt volunteers have explored the arboretum this week to let you know what's looking its best. Keep an eye out for the following seasonal highlights - they're not to be missed! You can also use our Arboretum Explorer to discover more tree locations around the arboretum.
Dawn redwood
The Dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) is a glorious sight across the Arboretum in autumn as its needles turn from delicate yellow-pink to dusty mellow brown. It is one of the few conifers that is deciduous. There are good examples on Specimen Avenue, Main Drive and Palmer Ride.
Swamp cypress
Another deciduous conifer is the beautiful Swamp cypress (Taxodium distichum) in Acer Glade. It has soft feathery foliage which is a rich orange-red at this time of year. There is a further example on Palmer Ride.
Yellow-fruited holly
The Hollys are covered in berries at the moment and none more so than the Yellow-fruited holly (Ilex aquifolium 'Bacciflava') on Willesley Drive in Silk Wood. The berries are firm for a long time and will only soften after a significant thaw, usually in mid-winter, and only then will the birds feast on them.
