Eastwoodhill Arboretum, National arboretum in Gisborne District, New Zealand
Eastwoodhill Arboretum is a large tree conservation site in the Gisborne region containing over 25,000 species of trees, shrubs, and climbing plants from different climate zones and regions of origin. The collection spans roughly 130 hectares of rolling terrain divided into several themed sections.
An entrepreneur named William Douglas Cook established the grounds in 1910 and imported thousands of trees to realize his vision of an international collection. After sale in the 1960s, H.B. Williams took over and shaped it into a significant conservation project.
The site serves as a living refuge for tree species facing extinction in their native lands, allowing visitors to encounter specimens rarely seen elsewhere. This conservation role gives the place special meaning for those interested in plant preservation.
The grounds are laid out on hilly terrain and require some physical fitness to explore the different areas and walk the pathways. The best time to visit is during warmer months when plants are greener and offer more to see.
The site preserves about 170 tree species acutely threatened with extinction in their home regions and unknown to most people. This collection makes it one of few places worldwide where such rare and fragile plants have built viable populations.
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