Hof ter Saksen Arboretum

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Belgium - Beveren

Institution Code: WAAS

BGCI Member: No

About the Hof ter Saksen Arboretum

The park is situated in Waasland approximately 10 km outside Antwerp. It has a typical romantic design with alternating large tree clusters, lawns and water features. The castle ruin (1790), visible from various sites, dominates the landscape. Renovation of the castle started in september 2004. The total area is more than 24 ha of which 13 form the arboretum; the remaining grounds comprise a nature garden, fruit orchard, agricultural field and a little brook. The arboretum was founded by the Decalut family in 1980. Nowadays the arboretum is managed by the commune of Beveren.

It now comprises more than 4500 plants including 70 Quercus spp., varieties and cultivars, more than 62 Ilex spp., 88 Viburnum spp., and 54 Cornus spp.. The soil belongs to the Fago-quercetum association which is perfect for oak, beech, chestnut, European aspen, birch, honeysuckle, rowan, hazel-nut, bird-cherry and holly. The focus of the park is on educating the broad public with respect to flora and the natural environment. The most striking trees in the collection are the giant copper beeches.Some of them had to be cut down in january 2006 because of parasits (fungi). Some eye-catching rare species include Betula medwediewii, Betula papyrifera or Betula turkestanica (2 m dwarf form). Also of note are a gigantic Thuja plicata, an old white mulberry, Ailanthus vilmoriniana, a deep purple Magnolia liliflora Nigra, and an old Catalpa bignonioides amongst others.

The arboretum is bordered by a small forest dominated by chestnut trees with accompanying undergrowth shrubs, herbaceous plants and ferns. In this part we find an old ice-house that is presently a shelter for bats. Another attraction of the park is its wealth of birds. Guided tours are organised on request on the opening days. A small information folder is available, educational brochures, exhibitions and various other activities are regularly organised.

Main Address:
Hof ter Saksen Arboretum
Hof ter Saksen, Haasdonkbaan 101, B-9120 Beveren
Beveren
Belgium

Telephone: 32 (0)3 750 18 60 32 (0)3 760 18 66
Fax:
URL: www.beveren.be
Primary Email: Natuurontwikkeling@beveren.be

Staff Details

  • Director's Name: Christa Maes
    Curator's Name: Christa Maes
    Plant Records Officer's Name:
  • Total Staff:
    Horticultural Staff Number: 5
    Educational Staff Number: 10
    Research Staff Number:
    Administration Staff Number:

About the Garden

  • Institution Type: Botanic Garden
  • Status
  • Status: Private: No
    Status: State: Yes
    Status: Educational: Yes
    Status: Municipal: Yes
  • Date founded: 1979
  • Physical Data
  • Natural Vegetation Area: Yes
    Natural vegetation area: Size: 2 Hectares
  • Landscaped Area: Yes
    Landscaped Area: Size: 25 Hectares
  • Total Area: 25 Hectares
    Latitude: 51.1986
    Longitude: 4.2388
    Annual Rainfall: 994 mm
    Altitude: 12.00 Metres

Features and Facilities

  • Arboretum: Yes
    Arboretum Size: 13
  • Computer Plant Record System: Yes
  • Open to public: Yes
    Friends society: Yes
  • Number of Visitors: 15000

Plant Collections

  • Accession Number: 6555
    Cultivation Taxa Num: 4670
  • Special Collections:Oaks (60 taxa), Cotoneaster, Berberis

Conservation Programmes

  • Ex Situ Conservation Programme: Yes

Research Programmes

  • Conservation - Genetics: Yes
    Ecosystem Conservation: Yes
    Education: Yes

Education Programmes

  • Visitor/Education Centre: Yes
    Education Signs in Garden: Yes
    Public Lectures/Talks: Yes
    Education Booklets/Leaflets: Yes
    Guided Tours: Yes
    Special Exhibitions: Yes
    Courses for School Children: Yes
    Courses for University/College Students: Yes
    Courses for General Public: Yes