The World of Trees

The Arboretum at Houghall, Durham City The Arboretum at Houghall is situated on the outskirts of Durham City and houses a superb collection of shrubs and trees from around the world. Visitors can enjoy the educational aspects of this unique beautiful environment offered by our greatest natural asset.  

Houghall College has one of the best collections of trees in the north of England within its campus grounds. Apart from a few trees that were planted either side of the main drive soon after the college was opened in 1938, Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’, and one or two commemorative trees, such as the Coronation Oak, Quercus robur, planted in 1953 by the Conference Hall, the main collection was planted between 1960 and 1973 by the former Head of Horticulture at the College, Jack Cox.  

Since 1973, the collection has further developed, with further planting in the Pinetum, and the inclusion of more than one hundred different species of Sorbus and other trees donated to the college by Lord Howick, the University of Liverpool Botanic Garden, the Royal Botanic Garden, Kew, RHS Garden Wisley, the University of Durham Botanic Garden and the Viscount Ridley. The College is responsible for maintaining the National Collection of Sorbus Sections Aria and Micromeles. Some of these trees are very rare in cultivation and the wild, with only a few specimens remaining in their natural habitat. Over the last few years, the genus Sorbus of which the college collection comprises more than one hundred and forty taxa has been under review. Many of the well – known names are about to change.

The college policy on this, regarding labelling trees, is that when all the changes have been made, we shall replace the labels. An interesting and informative guidebook is available from the Country Coffee Shop (by the Garden Centre) to accompany your visit.


Volunteering Links

The College works very closely with many external organisations, including wildlife trusts, national parks and local authorities accross the North East. A great place to start is to visit http://dwt.fotopic.net/

The provision of links to third party websites is to provide additional information or to highlight third parties which may be of interest. Whilst the College provides these links in the best faith it cannot be held responsible for the content or security of third party sites.