Tree Walk

Conifers of Brookwood Cemetery

Saturday 13th September 2025
11am from the North Cemetery Chapel

Conifers have long been planted in Church yards and cemeteries, such as the
ubiquitous English Churchyard Yew, being both evergreen and long-lived
symbolising eternity.

With the introduction of Conifers from around the world in the 17th,18th, and 19
centuries, Pinetums, an arboretum or collection, of all types of Conifers for landscape
and ornament, became a Victorian gardening fashion. Monkey Puzzle trees and
Redwoods, amongst others, becoming desirable trees to own.

The Americas in particular were to prove to be  a source of many important Conifers
that  were to be planted in great numbers, making a lasting impact on the British
landscapes, planted then and now for both ornament and forestry.
In the  17th and 18th Centuries, Pinus Strobus – the White Pine, and Chamaecyparis
thyoides – The White Cypress found  in  the  Eastern Americas  were being introduced
and grown in  the British Isles, later to be planted at Brookwood Cemetery.

The 19th Century saw further introductions from the western Americas, these
included: Sequoiadendron giganteum – The Giant Redwood, Pseudotsuga  menziesii –
The Douglas fir, Chamaecyparis lawsoniana – Lawson's Cypress. Some  seed from
these trees  arriving  in the  British Isles at the same time that Brookwood first opened
in 1854 and subsequently, some major Local nurseries, such as Goldsworth and
Waterers were to play a big part in supplying  and planting the new arrivals at
Brookwood Cemetery.

Enjoy a walk exploring the amazing collection of trees at Brookwood Cemetery
Event Location: North Cemetery, Cemetery Pales GU24 0BL Telephone No:
01483-472222 (No booking required)