NEWS
24-Sep-2026
Tawny owl
The grass in part of the Arboretum is cut in the spring and then left to grow long for the rest of the year as a feeding ground for Owls and other wildlife.Tawny owls are often heard but seldom seen so good to catch this one on a wildlife camera.
21-Sep-2026
Late flowers, source of food
Heptacodium Miconioides (no. 55), known as the Seven-Son Flower of Zheijiang, in
flower in September covered in Bumble Bees.
Providing a useful source of food late in the year.
03-Jul-2026
Tulip tree flowers
First time I have noticed flowers on the Tulip tree (Lireodendron Tulipifera), no 46.Planted 1999 --so only taken 27 years, but lots of them when you start looking. Need a lot of patience growing trees!!.
21-Jun-2026
Hop like flowers
Hop like flowers now starting to appear on the Ostrya Carpinifolia (Hop Hornbeam)
21-Jun-2026
Wild Orchids
Wild Orchids now starting to appear in the long grass in the lower field. An odd one was spotted about 10 years ago but they have gradually multiplied and spread, and I counted over 150 last year.
8-Apr-2026
Nothofagus Obliqua
Nothofagus Obliqua coming into leaf early again this year compared to most others. There are 4 Nothofagus in the Arboretum and all are doing well. They must like the North Pennines!
21-Apr-2025
Fresh green catkins
Ostrya Carpinifolia (tree 49), the Hop Hornbeam, with nice long fresh green
catkins. These should be followed by Hop like flowers in late summer.
29-Mar-2025
First to come into leaf
Populus Maximowiczii (tree 95) again being the first of trees to come into leaf. It sits in quite an exposed situation as well, subject
to the wind. It does make it vulnerable to spring frost but soon seems to bounce back.