Canford unveils new green plaque celebrating National Plant Collection
We are delighted to have been awarded with a plaque to celebrate Canford’s two National plant collections of Katsura (Cercidiphyllum) and Walnut (Juglans) trees.
Canford School’s 260 acres of grounds include parkland, a nationally recognised Arboretum and small area of ancient bluebell woodland.
The oldest tree in the park is an ancient 12th century Sweet Chestnut Castanea sativa. The foundations of the Arboretum were laid by Lord and Lady Wimborne, owners of the Manor House and estate in the 19th century and since Canford’s Foundation in 1923, there has been ongoing planting and cultivating of the many rare and unique species of trees from the Americas and Asia. Including a thriving Wollemi Pine, Wollemi nobilis and numerous examples of, deciduous and evergreen trees, hybrid trees, champion trees, with heights ranging over one hundred and thirty-five feet to five feet.
Pupils, staff, and visitors enjoy the opportunity to experience tours led by Canford’s master i/c trees, Andrew Powell, to learn about the fascinating history of Canford’s trees.
Canford will be taking part in the
National Open Gardens Scheme in May 2025. Further details and bookings will be available in the future via their website:
Andrew Powell, Canford’s master i/c trees said:
'It has been a privilege as a botanist to have been Canford’s third master i/c trees these last thirty-four years. Head of Grounds Kerry Mapp and arboriculturist Nathan Scheller do a fantastic job in caring for the trees. As well as providing a wonderful setting for the school the trees are a wonderful teaching aid of great interest to today’s environmentally aware students.'
Founded in 1978, Plant Heritage is the world’s leading cultivated plant conservation charity, for plants that have been collected, bred or grown in UK gardens. Plant Heritage aims to conserve and safeguard the UK’s horticultural heritage and diversity of garden plants by keeping living examples of rare plants in the National Plant Collections scheme or with Plant Guardians (who grow and nurture one or more rare and unusual plants in their own garden or house)National Plant Collections are at the heart of Plant Heritage’s plant conservation work and are crucial for ensuring that no plant is lost from cultivation.
To find out more about Plant Heritage and how you can help, or how to become a Collection Holder, Plant Guardian, or member, visit
November 2024