The Forgotten Forest Arboretum
Val de la Mare Arboretum, Grande Route de St. Ouen, St. Ouen, Jersey. Situated near Val de la Mare Reservoir.
Rating: 4.6 ★ (94 ratings)
Details
The Forgotten Forest Arboretum, also known as Val de la Mare Arboretum, is a unique botanical garden in Jersey featuring a diverse collection of trees from around the world. Established in 1975 by the Moores family, the arboretum was planted with seeds carefully sourced globally. After a period of neglect, where it earned the nickname 'The Forgotten Forest', Jersey Trees for Life, in agreement with the landowners Jersey Water, took over its care and maintenance in 2012, working to restore and enhance this hidden gem.
The arboretum showcases ten distinct tree collections, including species from Australasia, North America, Japan, and China, with notable specimens like eucalyptus, giant redwoods, Korean birch, and Japanese cedar. Despite significant damage from Storm Ciarán in November 2023, which resulted in the loss of several large trees, many more survived, and extensive restoration efforts by volunteers have been underway. The site offers various walking routes and is rich in local wildlife, including birds, red squirrels, lizards, and frogs.