Esveld Aceretum, Arboretum specializing in maples in Boskoop, Netherlands.
The Esveld Aceretum is a collection of over 600 maple varieties and shrub forms, representing one of the largest assemblies of Acer species in a single location. The grounds feature distinct growing sections with different mature examples, from smaller specimens to large mature trees, allowing visitors to see how these plants develop and look at various life stages.
The collection began in the 1970s, starting from a century-old specimen that sparked the founder's interest in maple diversity and cultivation. A second section was added in 1990 to expand and organize the growing range of varieties being researched and maintained.
The collection started as a family nursery project and has become a center where visitors see how maples are grown and studied. You can walk through different sections to observe the seasonal changes in leaf colors, bark patterns, and growth forms that make each variety distinctive.
The grounds are laid out in a way that makes it easy to walk around and observe the different sections at your own pace. Spring and fall are good times to visit, as you can see the fresh growth and color changes that make the maples stand out most clearly.
At the heart of this collection stands a century-old Acer shirasawanum specimen that inspired the founder to begin gathering maple varieties decades ago. This single tree, still growing among thousands of others, tells the story of how one person's botanical interest grew into a major resource.
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