Arboretum Wespelaar

Arboretum Wespelaar is an arboretum in Wespelaar, Belgium.

Arboretum Wespelaar
Arboretum Wespelaar
TypeArboretum
LocationWespelaar, Belgium
Coordinates50.958564°N 4.634039°E / 50.958564; 4.634039
Area50 acres (20 hectares)
OpenOpen to the public on Wednesdays and Sundays from April, 1st to November, 15th
Websitewww.arboretumwespelaar.be

History

The grounds used to be private property of Elisabeth Willems, Viscountess de Spoelberch. their descendants kept the castle as private residence.[1] The arboretum was started in 1984, as an extension of the dendrological collections of Philippe de Spoelberch, (great grandson of Elisabeth Willems) to the north of his estate of Herkenrode.

In 2007, the arboretum and its collections were donated to the Foundation Arboretum Wespelaar which was set up to guarantee the future of the collections and arrange for their opening to the public in 2011. Some 2000 different taxa can be seen on the 20 hectare grounds.

Collection

The arboretum brings together trees and shrubs from around the world which can survive in the temperate Belgian climate. Arboretum Wespelaar houses many woody species large and small, including common and rare species, especially those that are threatened in the wild.

Some genera are particularly well represented: Acer[2], Magnolia, Rhododendron[3] and Stewartia[4]. In addition to these, you will find good collections of other genera such as: Betula, Carpinus, Euonymus, Ilex, Tilia, Viburnum, Quercus, Styrax etc.

The Arboretum is also known for its yellow flowering Magnolias[5]. Many Magnolias have been selected and named at the Arboretum, with the yellow Magnolia 'Daphne' being the most famous.[6]

Many of Arboretum Wespelaar's trees and shrubs are to be found on the Red List of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). By giving priority to wild collected plants, identified as endangered or critically endangered on these lists, the Arboretum hopes to contribute to the conservation of such plants.

Arboretum Wespelaar is a member of Botanic Gardens Conservation International[7], an international non-profit organisation that exists to ensure the worldwide conservation of threatened plants.

Arboretum Wespelaar is a part of ArbNet[8], an interactive, collaborative, international community of arboreta. Through ArbNet, arboreta around the world collaborate to conserve trees and tree collections. The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program is the only global initiative to officially recognize arboreta based on a set of professional standards. There are 4 levels of accreditations, within which Level 4 is the highest level. Since 2016, Arboretum Wespelaar has been awarded a Level 4 Accreditation.

Magnolia 'Anne Rosse'

Visits

The Arboretum can be visited on Wednesdays and Sundays from April 1st to November 15th.

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References
  1. https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/erfgoedobjecten/134503
  2. Camelbeke, K. (2017). The Maple Collection at Arboretum Wespelaar, Belgium, with a special focus on some of the newer and rarer additions. The Maple Society Newsletter, 2017, p. 15-22.
  3. Veronese, G. (2016). Rhododendron Collection at Wespelaar Arboretum and Herkenrode Gardens. Yearbook of the Belgian Dendrology Society, 2016, p. 80-86.
  4. Hsu E., Boland T. & Camelbeke K. (2008). Stewartia in cultivation. The Plantsman, 2008, p. 78-87.
  5. Camelbeke, K. (2014). Yellow Flowering Magnolias at Herkenrode and Arboretum Wespelaar - an update. RHS Rhododendrons, Camellias and Magnolias, 2004, p. 91-101.
  6. Camelbeke, K. and Foster, M. (2015). The best yellow Magnolias. The Plantsman, June 2015.
  7. Arboretum Wespelaar on www.bgci.org
  8. Arboretum Wespelaar on www.arbnet.org


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