Arboretum Wespelaar

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Belgium - Haacht-Wespelaar

Institution Code: WESPE

BGCI Member: Yes

ArbNet Accredited: Level IV

autumn colors around the Artois pond
autumn colors around the Artois pond

About the Arboretum Wespelaar

Arboretum Wespelaar vzw, a non-profit organisation, was set up in 2001 to manage the botanical collections of a part of the estate of Philippe de Spoelberch in Haacht-Wespelaar situated to the North of the garden of Herkenrode (Belgium).

In 2007, the arboretum and its collections were donated to the Foundation Arboretum Wespelaar which was set up to guarantee the future of the collections and arrange for their opening to the public in 2011. Some 2310 different taxa can be seen on the 20 hectare grounds.

The arboretum brings together trees and shrubs from around the world which can survive in the temperate Belgian climate. Arboretum Wespelaar houses many woody species large and small, including common and rare species, especially those that are threatened in the wild.

Some genera are particularly well represented: Acer, Magnolia, Rhododendron and Stewartia. In addition to these, you will find good collections of other genera such as: Betula, Carpinus, Euonymus, Hydrangea, Ilex, Tilia, Viburnum, Quercus, Styrax etc.

The visitor centre and arboretum opened to the public on 17 April 2011. The private garden Herkenrode is only open to guided groups on request or to members of asbl Jardins ouverts – Open tuinen vzw (https://www.open-tuinen.be/nl/).

The Arboretum is open on Wednesday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm from the 1st of April to the 15th of November. Groups are also welcome on other days on request. For more information, please consult our website www.arboretumwespelaar.be. the dutch version of the site also offers a virtual tour through the collection

Main Address:
Arboretum Wespelaar
Foundation Arboretum Wespelaar
Grote Baan 63
Haacht-Wespelaar
B-3150 Belgium

Telephone: +32 (0)16 60 86 41
Fax: +32 (0)16 60 13 53
URL: www.arboretumwespelaar.be
Primary Email: info@arboretumwespelaar.be

Staff Details

  • Director's Name: Koen Camelbeke
    Curator's Name: Joke Ossaer
    Plant Records Officer's Name: Joke Ossaer
  • Total Staff:
    Horticultural Staff Number: 3
    Educational Staff Number: 1
    Research Staff Number: 1
    Administration Staff Number: 2

About the Garden

  • Institution Type: Private Collection
  • Status
  • Status: Private: Yes
    Status: State: No
    Status: Educational: Yes
    Status: Municipal: No
    Status: Satellite: No
    Status: Trust: No
  • Date founded: 1985
  • Physical Data
  • Natural Vegetation Area: No
  • Landscaped Area: Yes
    Landscaped Area: Size: 20 Hectares
  • Total Area: 20 Hectares
    Latitude: 50.9596
    Longitude: 4.6375
    Annual Rainfall: 700 mm
    Altitude: 15.00 Metres
  • Additional Locations
  • Satellite Garden Names: Herkenrode, Park of Wespelaar, Potager of Wespelaar, Bosveld
  • Locality: Information
  • Locality: Garden Name: Arboretum Wespelaar
  • Local Address: Grote Baan 63
  • Locality: City: 3150 Haacht (Wespelaar)
  • Locality: State: Belgium

Features and Facilities

  • Herbarium: Yes
    Herbarium: Number of Specimens: 2954
    Arboretum: Yes
    Arboretum Size: 20
  • Micropropagation/ Tissue Culture Facilities: No
    Seed Bank: No
    Published Plant Catalogue: Yes
    Computer Plant Record System: Yes
  • Open to public: Yes
    Friends society: No
    Retail Outlet: Shop: No
    Retail Outlet: Plant Sales: No
    Disabled access: No
  • Number of Visitors: 7800
    Number of Volunteers: 20

Plant Collections

  • Accession Number: 11021
    Cultivation Taxa Num: 4951
  • Special Collections:Most planted genera are Abies, Acer, Betula, Carpinus, Cornus, Euonymus, Fraxinus, Hydrangea, Ilex, Lindera, Liquidambar, Magnolia, Pinus,Quercus, Rhododendron, Sorbus, Stewartia, Styrax, Tilia, Viburnum and Wisteria.
    Autumn colouring trees and shrubs.
  • Invasive Species Monitoring: Yes
    Invasive Species Policy: No
    ABS Policy: No
    Plant Collection Policy: Yes

Conservation Programmes

  • Conservation Programme: No
    Medicinal Plant Programme: No
    Ex Situ Conservation Programme: No
    Reintroduction Programme: No

Research Programmes

  • Biotechnology: No
    Plant Breeding: No
    Conservation - Biology: No
    Conservation - Genetics: No
    Data Management Systems and Information Technology: No
    Ecology: No
    Ecosystem Conservation: No
    Education: No
    Ethnobotany: No
    Exploration: No
    Floristics: No
    Horticulture: No
    Invasive Species Biology and Control: No
    Molecular Genetics: No
    Pollination Biology: No
    Restoration Ecology: No
    Seed/Spore Biology: No
    Systematics and Taxonomy: No
    Sustainability: No
    Pharmacology: No
    Agriculture: No
    Land Restoration: No
    Urban Environments: No

Education Programmes

  • Visitor/Education Centre: Yes
    Education Signs in Garden: No
    Public Lectures/Talks: Yes
    Education Booklets/Leaflets: Yes
    Guided Tours: Yes
    Permanent Public Displays: Yes
    Special Exhibitions: No
    Courses for School Children: No
    Courses for University/College Students: No
    Courses for General Public: No
    Education Programme: Yes