Kew at Castle Howard

1959

Lord George Howard commissioned detailed plans for a ‘Quercetum’ on the present site of the arboretum. Seeds were acquired and 200 trees planted. Most sadly later lost to rabbits. A few remain such as the Turkish hazel Corylus colurna in the pear Glade and wingnut Pterocarya at the north end of the Arboretum’s lake.

1968

James Russell donates his family’s massive Sunningdale collection of rhododendrons and other trees and shrubs. These are held in Ray Wood

1975

George Howard decides to return Ray Wood to its earlier woodland garden role. The Sunningdale plants are put into permanent sites and new plants purchased from the Hillier Nurseries.

1976

George Howard engages James Russell for work at Castle Howard

1977

The award of a Countryside grant (75% of cost) for the “purposes of growing as a representative a collection as possible of any trees hardy in North Yorkshire…  and that it should be open to the public in due course.”  3000 trees were purchased from the then being dispersed historic and extensive collection held by the Hillier Nurseries in Hampshire.

1984

Lord Howard dies

1985

Joint RBG Kew, Castle Howard, Chinese Academy of Sciences expedition to Guizhou (Western China) collecting new introductions for the Arboretum and Ray Wood

1985-90

The first catalogue of the collections produced with the help of Mike and Beverly Lear from the Thomas Phillips-Price sponsored Woody Plant Catalogue project

1991

John Simmons, Curator of Kew, visits with Arabella Lennox Boyd and Lady Dufferin to discuss the future of the Arboretum with Simon Howard. The group also visit Robin Compton at Newby.
Mavis Jarvis enters the plant catalogue onto a database and starts to enter field notes

1992

James Russell retires to Fife having raised and planted more than six and a half thousand accessions (10,000 plants) of rare and fully documented plants.
Two staff, Ken Cherry and Neil Batty were left to care for the arboretum and Ray Wood grounds and collections.

1994

John Simmons’ support for the collections and desire to set up a Trust is endorsed by Robin Herbert, Chairman of Kew’s Board of Trustees, (and the then President of the Royal Horticultural Society), Sir Ghillean Prance, Director of Kew, and Giles Coode-Adams, Chief Executive of Kew’s Foundation

1996

James Russell dies

1997

The Arboretum Trust, a joint Trust between RBG Kew and Castle Howard is formed, with Robin Compton of Newby Hall as its first Chairman. John Simmons is asked by Simon Howard to lead the work of the Trust through its early years. The Prince of Wales pays a private visit.
Tony Kirkham is appointed as RBG Kew’s Liaison Officer to the Arboretum Trust. Neil Batty becomes the Arboretum’s leading Arborist. From this date new trees are donated each year from the nurseries at Kew and Wakehurst.

1998

New Kew-linked database developed by Sarah Edwards. Mavis Jarvis cleans up all transferred data and begins entering all of James Russell’s notes on each accession. An embossing file allows the production of embossed aluminium labels (computer driven system) from Kew.

1999

The Prince of Wales visits officially and plants Cedrus deodara that links to nineteenth century connections between Kew and Castle Howard.  Simon Howard agrees to donate extra land to create the sheltering Tercentenary Wood.
The Gatehouse entrance and car park is developed for public access.
Two tree trail guides produced for visitor use. Annual bulb planting initiated.
Volunteers first used to help with maintenance of the arboretum.

2000

Alison Brisby’s stock checking starts in the arboretum.
Commemorative tree scheme introduced.
Furniture Makers Walk completed for the Millennium. This project also involves an exhibition and trail leaflets.

2001

Volunteers man entrance portakabin for opening Wednesdays and weekends.
First season tickets issued.
Outdoor stage formed at the low point in the Furniture Makers Vista.
Cruck-framed shelter donated by Woodland Heritage.
Alignment and priority for walks and rides adjusted at west end of Arboretum.

2002

Work started on dredging and sealing Atkinson Bog, Yorkshire Water sponsored this project.
Rootery created.
Membership scheme initiated.
Ground maintenance in Ray Wood now undertaken by BTCV volunteers.
Bird viewing station (straw house) construction commences, anonymously sponsored by a volunteer

2003

Science based programme links established with the Arboretum by Malton School.
Joyce Kingman starts stock checking, and labelling in the Arboretum.
Outdoor stage used for a Brass Band concert and the first of many visits by the Oddsocks Theatre Company.

2004

The arboretum is visited by the International Dendrology Society.
A year’s sponsorship from Philippe de Spoelberch for labelling in Ray Wood

2005

Alan Titchmarsh visits for a fund raising event.
Work starts on the new entrance, new car park and visitor and education building
The arboretum and Ray wood are visited by the Scottish Rhododendron Society.
First buggies available to enable people with limited mobility to visit

2006

Education and Visitor Centre opened and named ‘The John Simmons Centre’
First of many events by the AONB Junion Rangers Club.
Visitor Centre is presented with the CPRE Mark Award.

2007

Arboretum Café opened.
Katherine Forsey joins us as Education Development Officer, thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
First children’s activity days held.
First school parties visit.

2008

Outdoor Classroom installed.
Minibeast zones developed.
Composting zone created.
Discovery lecture programme launched

2009

The Arboretum Trust is one of the first organisations in the country to be awarded the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge.
Orienteering Trail developed.
First woodland festival ‘Wild About Wood’ held in September
Wetland garden started.
New buggy sponsored by CPP, LPBS and the Howardian Hills AONB
Tree Carers Volunteer Group founded

2010

Jan Hoyland joins as full time curator. Jan will not only manage and develop the arboretum but she will also manage the restoration of the Woodland Garden in Ray Wood.
Nicola Hall replaces Joyce as Plant Records Manager.
Focus on Crocus, world record attempt on crocus planting