Arboretum de Villardebelle


The Arboretum de Villardebelle is an arboretum specializing in conifers located in Villardebelle, Aude, Languedoc-Roussillon, France.
The arboretum was established in 1994 on four locations across hilly terrain at an altitude of 510 to 670 meters, with stated aims including conservation of endangered species, scientific study and experimentation, education, environmental protection against erosion, and aesthetics. It is technically a pinetum because mainly dedicated to conifers.

Specimens

The site's natural vegetation includes: Acer monspessulanumBuxus sempervirensCorylus avellanaCrataegus monogynaCupressus sempervirensFraxinus excelsiorGenista spp.Ilex aquifoliumJuniperus communisPrunus aviumPrunus spinosaPteridium aquilinumQuercus ilex
Timber plantings in the region include: Cedrus atlanticaFagus sylvaticaPicea sitchensisPinus nigra laricio or calabricaPinus sylvestrisPseudotsuga menziesiiQuercus
Since 1994 the arboretum has planted over 3500 specimens, mainly from seeds, including more than 190 Gymnosperm species and subspecies. A further hundred species are being cultivated in the arboretum's nursery.
Some specimens of interest include:Araucaria araucanaCalocedrus decurrensCalocedrus formosanaCedrus atlanticaCupressus duprezianaCupressus torulosaCupressus chengianaTaiwania cryptomerioidesJuniperus occidentalisJuniperus thuriferaJuniperus deppeanaMetasequoia glyptostroboidesPicea chihuahuanaPinus attenuataPinus coulteriPinus ponderosaPlatycladus orientalisPrumnopitys andinaSequoia sempervirensThujopsis dolabrata