Bedgebury National Pinetum in Kent celebrates the often-overlooked beauty of conifers and serves as a crucial conservation site for endangered species. Founded in 1925 by the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew and the Forestry Commission, it was established to protect rare conifers from pollution and to encourage self-sufficiency in timber post-World War I. As one of the world’s most vital collections, the pinetum plays a key role in studying resilient conifer species necessary in combating global challenges such as climate change and tree diseases, while highlighting the ecological significance of these trees.
"The pinetum was founded by the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew and the Forestry Commission in 1925 after Kew's curator complained that his rare conifers were choking..."
"Conifers are globally one of the most threatened groups of plants in the world. A third of conifer species are at risk of extinction."
"Today the pinetum continues to provide Forestry England with real-world examples of conifer species that may flourish in the near future..."
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