Arboretum

Orton Bradley was passionate about trees and in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century planted 150 species from around the globe. The fine old specimen trees in the vicinity of the former homestead and farm buildings were planted by him. However his interest in trees was more than merely aesthetic.

He experimented with the timber potential of a range of exotic trees, from planting establishment through to milling the timber.

The arboretum is primarily a conifer collection, and has expanded from experimental plantings in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Most of the plant groupings can be seen from the loop track. We have one of the largest macrocarpas in New Zealand. Its trunk diameter is over 4 metres.

The Trees in Orton Bradley Park

Some time ago a team of volunteers started the job of identifying the trees in the Park. The work is incomplete and provisional but enough has been done to make some preliminary information available to the Public.

Visitors will see that some trees, both in the Main Park and the Arboretum have been numbered. These numbers correspond to the numbers on the attached lists which give the botanical and common names of those trees. Occasionally a generic name is followed by 'TBI' (to be identified) meaning that the species name is uncertain. Other gaps in the lists should be self-explanatory.

It will be some time before the job is completed and final lists prepared - some of the Eucalypt species in particular present special problems. However, enough has been done to demonstrate what a rich national treasure the trees in the Park represent. Enjoy your walk.

Download Arboretum Tree List [PDF 8kb]

Dowlnload Orton Bradley Main Park Tree List [PDF 18kb]

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