Exotenwald Weinheim, Arboretum and botanical garden in Weinheim, Germany

Exotenwald is an arboretum and botanical garden in Weinheim covering 60 hectares next to Schlosspark, with around 130 different tree species from Europe, Asia, North America, and North Africa. The collection includes conifers, deciduous trees, and rare specimens spread throughout multiple pathways.

Christian Friedrich Gustav Freiherr von Berckheim founded the arboretum in 1871 on a baroque estate from 1725. Between 1872 and 1883 he planted 12,494 trees on 36 hectares, bought mainly from nurseries in Orléans, Ghent and Exeter. His grandson Christian Philipp Graf von Berckheim added 8.25 hectares before World War II, focusing on Japan. Baden-Württemberg bought the forest in 1955 and enlarged it to 60 hectares.

The garden arranges tree groups to reflect how they grow naturally in different parts of the world, helping visitors understand global plant diversity. Walking through these sections creates a journey across continents without leaving Weinheim.

The grounds are open daily without entrance fees and feature multiple marked walking paths through the different tree collections. Wear comfortable shoes and allow plenty of time, as the extensive site has numerous trails to explore.

About 1,460 sequoias were planted between 1872 and 1883 on a 2-hectare site, part of the 12,494 trees Berckheim ordered. The trees were bought mainly from specialist nurseries in Orléans, Ghent and Exeter. Some original specimens of Sequoiadendron giganteum still stand, and the tallest trees now reach about 60 metres.