Kew Gardens To Help Plans For Chiswick Arboretum

Head arborist involved in scheme to plant in Old Burial Ground

Graham Clifton - Old Chiswick Protection Society, Tony Kirkham MBE - Head of Kew Gardens Arboretum, Tibor Babic - Local Resident and Forester

An Arboretum in the Old Chiswick Burial Ground next to St Nicholas Church is to be created with help from Kew Garden’s top tree specialist.

Last winter, volunteers from St Nicholas Church and residents from Old Chiswick planted eight mountain ash and two black poplars in the graveyard and an idea to create an arboretum was born.

Over the summer, local resident and qualified forester Tibor Babic developed plans to plant more specimen trees and shrubs to progress the udea.

In researching trees to include Tibor approached Tony Kirkham MBE, the Head of Kew's arboretum, and was delighted when Tony offered not only to visit and provide advice, but also to donate some unusual trees grown at Kew.

Tibor said, "It was fantastic to have Tony take an interest in the project, provide advice and very kindly donate some trees from Kew. We have some really beautiful tree species planned for this year’s planting. The selection will feature trees with unique leaf shapes and fantastic autumn colours such as ginkgos, red maples, katsura, and liquid ambers. We are starting small, but the plan for the arboretum is quite ambitions and will feature some truly amazing trees over the next few years, including one of my personal favourites, the Lebanon Cedar.

“The Arboretum will serve not only as a place for leisure, but also as an important educational resource for local schools and visitors, who will be able to browse through the wide variety of trees that will be planted and labelled.”

Tony Kirkham MBE - Head of Kew Gardens Arboretum and Father Simon Brandes - Vicar of St Nicholas Church


People are invited to sponsor a tree or, for a smaller contribution; a leaf, twig or branch. The new trees can also be adopted so people can water and look after their tree next summer. The aim is to establish a local volunteer group to help plant and maintain trees, shrubs and bulbs to achieve the arboretum plan.

Father Simon Brandes, Vicar of St Nicholas said, “St Nicholas is pleased to support the project to create an arboretum in the Old Burial Ground, it is a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together and enhance a much-loved local space.”

The tree planting this year will again be organised by Dukes Meadows Trust with support from Greenspace360, and will take place during National Tree Week.

To get involved and help create the arboretum, email tibor.cbgarboretum@gmail.com.

This page is sponsored by Express Property Services who support community initiatives in Chiswick

October 30, 2020