National Collection status for Keele's flowering cherries
As well as making the campus visually stunning in the spring, the collection is primarily of scientific use, acting as a reserve for unusual and little known varieties."
Keele University has achieved the prestigious award of National Collection status for the flowering cherry trees on the campus. The award, bestowed by Plant Heritage, is for the University's collection of 240 varieties of cherry planted across the campus.
While many of the trees are still young, the collection builds upon the long history of cherries on the Keele campus using the expertise of Chris Sanders, a noted plantsman, and members of the University Arboretum Committee. It has been partly funded by Plant Heritage but primarily by generous donations of alumni in memory of John Ivinson, and by Philip Davies and his family.
As well as making the campus visually stunning in the spring, the collection is primarily of scientific use, acting as a reserve for unusual and little known varieties. Material has been supplied to national nurseries, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the Natural History Museum, London, and the web site, run by Dave Emley, School of Physical and Geographical Sciences, attracts attention from around the world.
The curator for the collection is Dr Peter Thomas, School of Life Sciences Further information on the collection, including flowering times and location of individuals can be found at www.keele.ac.uk/arboretum/trees/cherries/.