Mount Pleasant Arboretum ( now known as Rockhampton Arboretum)

This private tree collection occupies about 5 acres. All the trees have been planted since 1980 and the vast majority have been planted since 1990. Mount Pleasant is situated on the edge of the river Severn flood plain at an elevation of about 20 metres. The river is only about a mile away and the site is quite windy. Despite the proximity of the Severn estuary winter temperatures can be quite low, -7C is quite common and the lowest I have recorded is about – 15C. The site is almost flat and the soil is alkaline shallow heavy loam over unbroken impermeable red marl, this results in most areas becoming waterlogged in winter and suffering from drought in most summers. Beech and maples ( with the exception of Field Maple and a few others) do not grow well so very few are planted. The tree collection is unlikely to be of much interest except to tree enthusiasts Oaks, Lime and Hornbeam grow well as do Poplars and Sequoiadendron.. Squirrels are very numerous and cause severe damage to many of the trees. Fallow and Muntjac deer are very profuse and despite guarding cause serious problems.

A few of the highlights of the collection are: The original parent tree of Carpinus betulus ‘Rockhampton Red’ ,(hornbeam which gives reliable vivid red and orange autumn colours) This outstanding tree was granted plant breeders rights in 2018. The parent tree has been much pruned for the production of propagating material but there are also many other younger specimens. The original parent tree of Pterocarya stenoptera ‘Fern Leaf’ which was discovered here. Pterocarya x rehderiana Quercus canariensis a form which is almost comletely evergreen ( it sheds its leaves in Spring and almost immediately the new ones open) Many different Lime species and cultivars includind a couple of cultivars of Tilia cordata named by me. Several different cultivars of Acer campestre Some very good cultivars of Platanus, some very rare. Platanus orientalis ‘Rockhampton Autumn Red’ was discovered here and there are several large specimens, one, the mother tree I grew from seed about 35 years ago and the others I propagated vegetatively about 20 years ago, there are also many younger trees for sale. Populus maximowiczii There are many golden leaved cultivars of trees within the collection. The collection has been surveyed by Owen Johnson of the Tree Register of the British Isles and Owen has recorded a few National champions and several County champions within the arboretum. The arboretum is not open to the public.

GGL Aug 2024

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