Malvern & Brueton Arboretum Tree Trail

Hello Tree Explorers!

Welcome to the Malvern & Brueton Tree Trail! As you follow the trail, you'll meet some amazing trees from Britain and around the world. Some are taller than a house, some are older than your grandparents' grandparents, and all of them have fascinating stories to tell.

Use your eyes, ears and imagination as you explore. Look closely at leaves, bark, cones and acorns, and see how many birds, insects and other creatures you can spot along the way. Most importantly, have fun discovering nature's wonders!

Malvern & Brueton Park is a place full of history, wildlife and some truly remarkable trees. The park takes its name from Simon de Malverne, who owned this land in 1332 — nearly 700 years ago. Much later, in 1944, Horace Brueton generously gifted part of his parkland to the people of Solihull so that everyone could enjoy it. In 1952, Malvern Park and Brueton Park were joined together to create the park we know today.

Long before it became a public park, this landscape was already home to some impressive trees. Several of the veteran Turkey Oaks and Sweet Chestnuts growing here today were planted long before most people alive now were born. Along Warwick Road, a grand avenue of lime trees welcomes visitors, while near the entrance stands a group of evergreen trees planted in the 1930s. There are even trees from across the world, including the remarkable Dawn Redwood from North America.

In 1968, the park became an arboretum — a special place where many different kinds of trees are collected, grown and cared for. The arboretum began with a single Purple Beech planted by Councillor Ledbetter. Since then, many more trees have been added, creating the wonderful collection you can explore today. Some of the original plantings, including the Purple Maple, Golden Indian Bean Tree and majestic Deodar Cedars, are still thriving.

The Tree Trail will help you discover some of the park's most fascinating trees. You can start wherever you like and follow the trail in any order. As you explore, look up, look around and see what wildlife you can spot along the way.

Every tree has its own story to tell — what will you discover today? 🌿

Purple Beech

The Purple Beech looks almost magical with its deep purple leaves. In spring and summer, the leaves can shine like polished gems in the light. In autumn they often turn coppery before falling. This tree can grow tall and wide, making brilliant shade.

Look closer!

🍃 Compare the leaves: are they purple, red-brown, or almost green in places?

🪵 Look at the trunk — does the bark look smooth or patterned?

🐾 Can you spot tiny nibbles on leaves or insects resting underneath?

Italian Alder

The Italian Alder is a fast-growing tree with shiny green, heart-shaped leaves. It can help improve the soil for other plants. In winter, it often keeps small woody “cones” on its branches, which makes it easier to spot when other trees are bare.

Look closer!

🍃 Are the leaves shaped a bit like hearts?

🌰 Can you find the little cone-like fruits on branches or the ground?

🪵 Is the bark smooth, or does it have cracks and lines?

Indian Cedar (Deodar)

Indian Cedar (Deodar) comes from the Himalayas. It often has graceful drooping branch tips and soft-looking needles. It’s an evergreen, so it stays green through winter.

Look closer!

🍃 Do the branch tips droop down like a fountain?
🌰 Can you spot any cones (often sitting more upright when young)?
🪵 Is the bark smooth on younger parts and rougher on older trunk?

Scots Pine

Scots Pine is the UK’s only native pine. It has blue‑green needles that grow in pairs, and older trees can show warm orange-brown bark higher up the trunk. Pine cones are often scattered underneath.

Look closer!

🍃 Do the needles come in pairs (two together)?
🪵 Can you see orange-brown bark higher up and darker bark lower down?
🌰 How many pine cones can you find on the ground?

Norway Spruce

The Norway Spruce is a tall evergreen tree with sweeping branches and hanging cones. Its dark green needles stay on the tree all year round, providing shelter for wildlife in every season. This fast-growing tree can become very large and is often recognised by its graceful, pyramid-shaped form.

Look closer!

🍃 Are the needles short, sharp and attached one at a time to the twig?

🌰 Can you find any long, hanging cones on the branches or the ground?

🪵 Do some of the branches droop downwards, especially near the ends?

English Oak

The English Oak is often called the king of the forest. Some oak trees can live for hundreds of years and support more wildlife than almost any other British tree. Its strong branches, distinctive leaves and acorns make it easy to recognise throughout the year.

Look closer!

🍃 Do the leaves have smooth, rounded lobes rather than sharp points?

🌰 Can you find any acorns or their little cups nearby?

🪵 Look at the bark – is it rough and deeply ridged with lots of cracks and grooves?

Cedar of Lebanon - Parkridge

The Cedar of Lebanon is a famous, majestic evergreen with wide, spreading branches. Older trees can develop a flatter, “layered” shape. Instead of leaves, it has needles, and it makes cones.

Look closer!

🍃/🌰 Can you see needles in clusters and any cones?

🪵 Is the trunk chunky and rugged looking?

🐾 Do birds use the branches as lookout points?

Giant Redwood (Wellingtonia) - Parkridge

Giant Redwoods are among the most impressive trees on Earth. Their thick, reddish-brown bark helps protect them. Even young trees can grow quickly, and old ones can live for a very long time.

Look closer!

🪵 Look at the bark — does it look thick, soft or spongey?
🍃 Can you spot the tiny leaf shapes (more like little scales than flat leaves)?
🐾 Do you see insects hiding in bark cracks and grooves?

Golden Weeping Willow - Parkridge

Golden Weeping Willow is easy to recognise by its long, trailing branches. In spring and early summer, the leaves can look yellow-green and bright. Willows often grow where the ground is damp.

Look closer!

🍃 Are the leaves long and narrow like ribbons?

🪵 What colour are the twigs — golden, brown, or greenish?

🐾 Look for tiny visitors — bees, beetles and other insects love willow.

Sweet Chestnut

Sweet Chestnut trees are known for spiky cases that protect shiny brown nuts inside. Their long leaves have strong, toothy edges, and older bark can look twisted or spiralled.

Look closer!

🌰 Can you find prickly husks on the ground (look—don’t touch spines)?

🍃 Do the leaves have sharp, saw-like edges?

🪵 Does the bark look like it spirals or twists up the trunk?

Sycamore

Sycamore is famous for its spinning “helicopter” seeds. It’s a strong tree that grows well in lots of places and provides shelter and food for wildlife. Its big leaves make great shade on warm days.

Look closer!

🌰 Can you spot helicopter seeds (on the tree or on the ground)?

🍃 Count the leaf points — how many lobes can you see?

🪵 Does the bark look patchy or flaky, like it’s peeling?