This weekend I went for a trip to the new National Arboretum. I drive past it every day going to work. It's is a collection of 100 separate tree plantations, with many of these apparently threatened species from around the world. It's not much to look at now, but I'm sure it will get better as the trees grow. There is also a pine planted that is a descendant of the Lone Pine at Gallipoli.
I thought that I'd take some pictures now and more over the coming years. I expect a lot of the trees to be hidden over time by those closer to the roads and paths, so the layout of the plantings may not be obvious.
I just hope we don't lose them to bushfires like the previous forests in this location.
Himalayan Cedars that were planted in the 1920's and that survived the bush fires.
A different view of the Himalayan cedars.
This is the VIP area where they will get visiting Kings, Queens, Presidents, etc to plant trees. This seems to be the last bit of landscaping. They've spend over 5 years building hills and valleys for this arboretum.
I think that these were Californian palm trees. With Lake Burley Griffin in the centre of the shot and Woden (where I work) in the distance.
When I approached this sculpture it looked like a jumble of rusty loops of metal. Not even worth a photo. It was only when I walked down the hill a bit that I saw what it really was. In a few years you may not be able to see it because the trees will be in the way. If the palms grow high it might be visible again in 10 years.
It looks like there are some interesting patterns of trees. Further back, there are is a plot of trees planted in the shape of the Forbidden City in China.
This was reminiscent of a graveyard. It reminded me of a visit to Arlington Cemetery many years ago.
A sculpture made from old tools.
Looking towards Civic in the distance with the base of Black Mountain to the left.
Giant Sequoia? I don't think so. I could jump over them. Maybe in 200 years.
