An arboretum is a botanical garden devoted to trees. As you walk around Val de la Mare reservoir you’ll notice various tree species which are clearly not native to Jersey. These include such fine specimens as eucalyptus, giant redwood, Korean birch and Japanese cedar.  

Val de la Mare Arboretum comprises twelve distinct tree collections: 

1. Australasia Collection 
2. American Collection 
3. Birch Collection 
4. Chinese Collection 
5. Conifer Collection 
6. Elm Trial Collection 
7. Japanese Collection 
8. Mediterranean Collection 
9. Mixed Oak Collection 
10. North American Collection 
11. Pine Collection 
12. Walnut and Wingnut Collection 

The Australasia Collection was seriously affected by the storms of January 2023, with several eucalyptus trees upended or otherwise damaged and a clean-up cost of around £1,500.

Some of the specimens survived, however, providing a reminder of the hardiness of nature in addition to that of its sheer power.