Little Friars’ Arboretum, Pednor Bottom, Chesham HP5 2SS
The arboretum began accidentally when as Hon Curator I was renovating Priestfield Arboretum at Little Kingshill so when buying trees, often I could not resist buying one for myself - only not to be unable to find a suitable place in our garden so it was just planted in the small Christmas plantation where a tree had gone! Now Little Friars’ sole purpose is that of an arboretum – a place to learn about trees in their many aspects. Unlike most arboreta, it is not a garden environment in this cold valley location with its clay flint soil containing a range of nearly 200 specimens trees which would therefore survive in any garden in the Chilterns. The compactness of the site means the trees are quickly accessible to students to examine characteristics for identification. In 2019 Little Friars Arboretum was offered to the Royal Forestry Society but was rejected as it did not fulfil its agenda. However, this little tree collection is ideal for learning identification and other aspects of trees. It is not necessary to go to large collections as The Dendrologist’s ‘Introductory Tree Identification’ course demonstrated when it was designed so any tree knowledgeable person amongst its UK readership could offer locally a course to help a minimum of 5 people at any one time to learn basic tree identification skills (go to The Dendrologist – this website has a wealth of information for would be tree enthusiasts) and although this quarterly publication ceased in 2014, 'A Dendrologist's Handbook,' the essential reference for all beginners, is still available from NHBS . https://www.nhbs.com/a-dendrologists-handbook-book
The Bucks Tree Club ran identification courses here focusing on subjects like native trees, introduction to conifers, edible and medical trees and now anyone or group, is invited to do the same, in return for a donation for the arboretum maintenance. In the future I will offer guided tours again and maybe run some identification courses although at present my husband Andrew and my time is taken up with looking after the trees and the site which run on ecological lines. In all matters in the first instance please email buckstreeclub@gmail.com
Merelene Davis
More information can be found in the International Dendrology Society Year Book 2015 See: www.dendrology.org/publications/gardens-and-arboreta/little-friars-arboretum-2015/
