Trees are an integral part of the living landscape, each species unique and intricately adapted to its own micro environment. Although all trees have distinctive qualities that define their individual characters, there are certain trees that stand tall amongst others. These are the Champion Trees, trees that have been recognized for their impressive height, massive girth, great age or heritage significance. Four magnificent trees in the Arderne Gardens have been attributed champion status by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. A slow walk around the arboretum following the numbered sequence of the different trees will offer an opportunity to view these truly remarkable trees. The Arderne Gardens were additionally declared a National Historical Monument in 1979, as attested to by the plaque at the entrance to the garden.

Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus macrophylla)

This majestic tree with its impressive roots and branches that spread out more than 30 meters is native to Australia.

Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla)

The tallest of the Champion Trees at around 43 meters high, it is endemic to the Norfolk Island in the Pacific Ocean.

Queensland Kauri (Agathis robusta)

Originating from Queensland in Australia, this impressive tree is over 100 years old and can grow up to 50 meters high.

Aleppo Pine (Pinus halepensis)

Having deep roots that enable it to endure drought conditions, the Aleppo Pine is native to the Mediterranean region.


In addition to these officially recognised Champion Trees, the Friends of the Arderne Gardens have identified a further 15 unofficial “champion trees” which are worthy of attention, making 21 in all. A map of the garden identifies their location and presents a lovely walk if one follows the numbered sequence of the trees. Below are some illustrations of these magnificent trees.  A brochure containing the map is obtainable from the pharmacy across the road from the entrance to the gardens.

Tree Map

As part of the ongoing development of the garden, many more trees will be planted over the coming months in keeping with FOTAG’s aim to develop Arderne Garden into a special Southern Hemisphere arboretum and at the same time, plant trees for the future enjoyment of the garden’s visitors

List of Trees

A thorough tree survey of the trees in Arderne Garden was conducted in 2015 and 414 trees are now listed. The bulk of this work was done by Adam Harrower of Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens based on the original tree research map or Richard Jamieson. Visiting botanists that have assisted wth this work include Gary Shanks, Alasdair Moore, Adam Bligh, Jan Burring, Anne Bean (FOTAG), Martin Grantham and Thomas Pakenham.

BOTANICAL NAMECOMMON NAMEORIGIN
1 Phoenix reclinata Wild Date Palm Southern Africa
2 Phoenix reclinata Wild Date Palm Southern Africa
3 Liquidamber styraciflua Sweet Gum N. & C. America
4 Fagus sylvatica var. purpurea European Beech Europe
6 Ulmus parvifolia Chinese Elm China, Japan
7 Liquidamber styraciflua Sweet Gum N. & C. America
12 Chamaerops humilis European Fan Palm Mediterranean
14 Aesculus X carnea Red Horse chestnut North America
15 Ulmus procera English Elm Europe
16 Gonioma kamassi Kamassi Eastern Cape and Natal
17 Ulmus parvifolia Chinese Elm China, Japan
20 Quercus cerris Turkey Oak South Europe, Western Asia
21 Agathis robusta Queensland Kauri Australia
23 Rothmannia globosa Klokkieskatjiepiering Eastern Cape to Limpopo
26 Mimusops obovata Red Milkwood Eastern Cape to Limpopo
28 Schotia brachypetala Weeping Boer Bean Southern Africa
30 Schizolobium parahybum Feather Duster Tree Mexico and Brazil
31 Fagus sylvatica var. purpurea Copper Beech Europe
33 Taxodium distichum Swamp Cypress North America
34 Livistona chinensis Chinese Fountain Palm China, Japan
35 Ficus macrophylla Moreton Bay Fig Australia
36 Phoenix reclinata Wild Date Palm Southern Africa
43 Araucaria cunninghamii Hoop Pine Australia
44 Fagus sylvatica var. purpurea Copper Beech Europe
45 Alectryon excelsus New Zealand Oak New Zealand
46 Livistona chinensis Chinese Fountain Palm China, Japan
47 Curtisia dentata Assegai Southern Africa
48 Ficus macrophylla Moreton Bay Fig Australia
53 Salix babylonica Weeping Willow ?China
54 Erythrina caffra Coast Coral Tree Eastern Cape and Natal
56 Dais cotinifolia Pom Pon Tree Southern Africa
58 Strelitzia nicolai Natal Wild Banana Eastern Cape and Natal
60 Metasequoia glyptostroboides Dawn Redwood China
62 Phoenix reclinata Wild Date Palm Southern Africa
66 Catalpa bignonioides Indian Bean N America
67 Podocarpus falcatus Outeniqua Yellowwood Eastern Cape to Limpopo
69 Fagus sylvatica var. purpurea  Copper Beech Europe
70 Durante erecta (=plumieri) Forget-me-not Tree Central America
71 Phoenix reclinata Wild Date Palm Southern Africa
72 Spathodea campanulata African Flame Tree East Africa
74 Fagus sylvatica European Beech Europe
75 Araucaria heterophylla Norfolk Island Pine Norfolk Islands
76 Cedrus libani Cedar of Lebanon Mediterranean
79 Cephalotaxus fortunei Chinese Plum Yew Himalayas to Japan
80 Sequoia sempervirens Californian Redwood USA
81 Fagus sylvatica var. purpurea Copper Beech Europe
82 Liriodendron tulipifera 'Aurea' Tulip Tree N America
83 Brachychiton acerifolius Australian Flame Tree Australia
84 Macadamia integrifolia Macadamia Nut Australia
86 Jacaranda mimosifolia Jacaranda Argentina
87 Stenocarpus sinuatus Queensland Firewheel Tree Australia
88 Jacaranda mimosifolia Jacaranda Argentina
89 Fagus sylvatica var. purpurea Copper Beech Europe
90 Cedrus libani Cedar of Lebanon Mediterranean
92 Araucaria cunninghamii Hoop Pine Australia
93 Cedrus libani Cedar of Lebanon Mediterranean
94 Cedrus libani Cedar of Lebanon Mediterranean
95 Brachychiton acerifolius Australian Flame Tree Australia
96 Erythrina caffra Coast Coral Tree Eastern Cape and Natal
98 Podocarpus latifolius Real Yellowwood Southern Africa
99 Cedrus libani Cedar of Lebanon Mediterranean
100 Arbutus unedo Strawberry Tree S Europe
102 Camellia japonica Common Camellia Japan 
105 Araucaria cunninghamii Hoop Pine Australia
106 Strelitzia nicolai Natal Wild Banana Eastern Cape and Natal
107 Dracaena draco Dragon Tree Canary Islands
108 Dracaena draco Dragon Tree Canary Islands
109 Taxodium distichum Swamp Cypress North America
110 Cinnamomum camphora Camphor Tree China, Japan
111 Olinia ventosa Hard Pear Western and Eastern Cape
116 Ficus sur Broom Cluster Fig Southern Africa
117 Butea capitata Jelly Palm Brazil
119 Quercus ilex Holly Oak/Holm Oak Mediterranean
121 Livistona chinensis Chinese Fountain Palm China, Japan
123 Araucaria rulei Rule Araucaria New Caledonia
124 Cedrus atlantica var. glauca Atlas Cedar N. Africa
126 Sequoia sempervirens Californian Redwood USA
127 Araucauria bidwillii Bunya-Bunya Australia
128 Acer negundo 'variegata' Box Elder N.& C. America
129 Livistona chinensis Chinese Fountain Palm China, Japan
131 Cedrus atlantica var. glauca Atlas Cedar N. Africa
132 Strelitzia nicolai Natal Wild Banana Eastern Cape and Natal
133 Phoenix reclinata Wild Date Palm Southern Africa
135 Cedrus libani Cedar of Lebanon Mediterranean
137 Rauvolfia caffra Quinine Tree Southern Africa
138 Rauvolfia caffra Quinine Tree Southern Africa
139 Rauvolfia caffra Quinine Tree Southern Africa
141 Stenocarpus sinuatus Queensland Firewheel Tree Southern Africa
142 Quercus suber Cork Oak N. Europe, Siberia
146 Diospyros whyteana Bladder Nut / Wild Coffee Southern Africa
147 Phoenix dactylifera Real Date Palm N Africa, W Asia
149 Grevillea robusta Australian Silky Oak Australia
150 Brachychiton populneus Lacebark Kurrajong Australia
152 Agathis robusta Queensland Kauri Australia
154 Quercus robur English Oak Europe, N Africa
156 Strelitzia nicolai Natal Wild Banana Eastern Cape and Natal
157 Quercus robur English Oak Europe, N Africa
158 Livistona chinensis Chinese Fountain Palm China, Japan
161 Diospyros whyteana Wild Coffee Southern Africa
163 Quercus suber Cork Oak N. Europe, Siberia
164 Quercus suber Cork Oak N. Europe, Siberia
165 Quercus robur English Oak Europe, N Africa
166 Psychotria capensis Black Bird Berry Southern Africa
167 Cedrus libani Cedar of Lebanon Mediterranean
168 Araucaria bidwillii Bunya-Bunya Australia
170 Cassine peragua Cape Saffron W. Cape, E. Cape, Natal
172 Magnolia grandiflora Laurel Magnolia N America
174 Fagus sylvatica var. purpurea Copper Beech Europe
178 Agathis robusta Queensland Kauri Australia
180 Pinus halepensis Aleppo Pine Mediterranean
181 Washingtonia robusta Thread / CottonPalm Mexico
182 Quercus robur English Oak Europe, N Africa
183 Cedrus atlantica var. glauca Atlas Cedar N. Africa
185 Liquidamber styraciflua Sweet Gum N. & C. America
188 Arbutus unedo Strawberry Tree S Europe
189 Michelia figo (fuscata - old name) Banana Magnolia China
190 Brachychiton discolor Pink Flame tree Australia
191 Clethra arborea Lily of The Valley Tree Madeira
193 Betula pendula Silver Birch Europe, W. Asia
194 Celtis sinensis Chinese Hackberry
195 Quercus robur English Oak Europe, N Africa
196 Quercus robur English Oak Europe, N Africa
199 Calodendrum capense Cape Chestnut Southern Africa
200 Cephalotaxus fortunei Chinese Plum Yew China and Burma
201 Fagus sylvatica European Beech Europe
203 Betula pendula Silver Birch Europe, W. Asia
205 Halleria lucida Tree Fuchsia Southern Africa
207 Taxus baccata 'Fastigiata' Common Yew Europe, N. Africa, W. Asia
209 Taxus baccata Common Yew Europe, N. Africa, W. Asia
212 Carpinus betulus Common Hornbeam Europe, W. Asia
213 Mangifera indica Mango India, Malaysia
214 Dais cotinifolia Pom Pon Tree Southern Africa
215 Calodendrum capense Cape Chestnut Southern Africa
218 Mimusops obovata Red Milkwood E Cape to Limpopo
219 Podocarpus falcatus Outeniqua Yellowwood E Cape to Limpopo
222 Podocarpus falcatus Outeniqua Yellowwood E Cape to Limpopo
223 Podocarpus falcatus Outeniqua Yellowwood E Cape to Limpopo
226 Acer palmatum Japanese Maple Japan, China
227 Kigelia africana Sausage Tree Southern Africa
228 Syzigium paniculatum Australian Brush Cherry Australia
229 Jacaranda mimosifolia Jacaranda Argentina
230 Podocarpus latifolius Real Yellowwood S A and Zimbabwe
232 Tilia X europaea (T.P.??) European Linden Europe
233 Quercus suber Cork Oak N. Europe, Siberia
234 Melia azedarach Seringa Asia
235 Syzigium paniculatum Australian Brush Cherry Australia
236 Gardenia thunbergia White Gardenia Eastern Cape and Natal
237 Syagrus romanzoffiana Queen Palm Brazil, Argentina
240 Podocarpus falcatus Outeniqua Yellowwood Eastern Cape to Limpopo
243 Syzygium jambos Rose Apple S E Asia to Australia
250 Dacrydium cupressinum Rimu Yellowwood New Zealand
252 Ilex aquifolium English Holly Europe
254 Cinnamomum camphora Camphor Tree China, Japan
255 Cinnamomum camphora Camphor Tree China, Japan
256 Rhododendron ponticum Mediterranean Rhododendron Spain, Portugal
257 Ailanthus altissimus Tree of Heaven China
258 Ficus sur Broom Cluster Fig Southern Africa
260 Cunninghamia lanceolata China Fir China
261 Aesculus hippocastanum Common Horse Chestnut SE Europe
264 Kiggelaria africana Wild Peach Southern Africa
268 Ficus religiosa Peepul India
269 Liquidamber styraciflua Sweet Gum N. & C. America
270 Cinnamomum camphora Camphor Tree China, Japan
272 Cycas circinalis Queen Sago Tropical Asia
273 Ginkgo biloba Maidenhair Tree China
274 Acer buergerianum Trident Maple China 
275 Cordyline australis Giant Dragon Tree New Zealand
278 Camellia japonica Common Camellia Japan 
279 Acer negundo 'Flamingo' Box Elder C. & N. America
281 Acer oblongum Flying Moth Maple Himalayas, Nepal, China
282 Cedrus deodara Himalayan Cedar Himalayas
283 Prunus ceracifera 'Nigra' Myrobalan Plum Asia
284 Paulownia tomentosa Princess Tree China
287 Acer buergerianum Trident Maple China
288 Ulmus procera English Elm Europe
289 Liquidamber formosa Formosan Gum China, Taiwan
290 Dypsis lutescens Golden Bamboo Palm Madagascar
291 Acer negundo 'Variegata' Box Elder C. & N. America
292 Syzygium jambos Rose Apple S E Asia to Australia
293 Liquidamber styraciflua Sweet Gum N. & C. America
294 Metrosideros excelsa New Zealand Christmas Tree New Zealand
295 Metrosideros excelsa New Zealand Christmas Tree New Zealand
299 Phoenix reclinata Wild Date Palm Southern Africa
300 Kiggelaria africana Wild Peach Southern Africa
301 Ficus religiosa Peepul India
302 Camellia japonica Common Camellia Japan 
303 Betula pendula Silver Birch Europe, W. Asia
304 Betula pendula Silver Birch Europe, W. Asia
305 Betula pendula Silver Birch Europe, W. Asia
306 Betula pendula Silver Birch Europe, W. Asia
307 Betula pendula Silver Birch Europe, W. Asia
308 Betula pendula Silver Birch Europe, W. Asia
309 Betula pendula Silver Birch Europe, W. Asia
310 Betula pendula Silver Birch Europe, W. Asia
311 Betula pendula Silver Birch Europe, W. Asia
312 Betula pendula Silver Birch Europe, W. Asia
313 Betula pendula Silver Birch Europe, W. Asia
314 Archontophoenix cunninghamiana Seaforth Palm Australia
315 Archontophoenix cunninghamiana Seaforth Palm Australia
316 Howea fosteriana Kentia Palm Lord Howe Island
317 Howea fosteriana Kentia Palm Lord Howe Island
319 Butea capitata Jelly Palm Brazil
320 Butea capitata Jelly Palm Brazil
321 Butea capitata Jelly Palm Brazil
322 Syagrus romanzoffiana Queen Palm Brazil, Argentina
323 Livistona chinensis Chinese Fountain Palm China, Japan
324 Livistona chinensis Chinese Fountain Palm China, Japan
325 Syagrus romanzoffiana Queen Palm Brazil, Argentina
326 Syagrus romanzoffiana Queen Palm Brazil, Argentina
327 Syagrus romanzoffiana Queen Palm Brazil, Argentina
328 Syagrus romanzoffiana Queen Palm Brazil, Argentina
329 Syagrus romanzoffiana Queen Palm Brazil, Argentina
330 Koelreuteria paniculata Golden Rain Tree China, Korea
331 Syagrus romanzoffiana Queen Palm Brazil, Argentina
332 Washingtonia robusta Thread Palm Mexico
333 Washingtonia robusta Thread Palm Mexico
335 Neodypsis decaryi Brown Bamboo Palm Madagascar
336 Neodypsis decaryi Brown Bamboo Palm Madagascar
337 Neodypsis decaryi Brown Bamboo Palm Madagascar
338 Caryota urens Common Fish-tail Palm India, Malaysia
339 Hyophorbe verschaffeltii Spindle Palm Rodriques Islands
340 Chamaerops humilis European Fan Palm Mediterranean
341 Phoenix reclinata Wild Date Palm Southern Africa
342 Washingtonia robusta Thread Palm Mexico
343 Washingtonia robusta Thread Palm Mexico
344 Tetrapanax papyriferus Ricepaper Plant Taiwan, China