Gymnosperms (conifers)
We have many exotic and native conifers (cone-bearing seed plants) on display, particularly in the woods of the Arboretum
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Within the natural pine (Pinus sylvestris) woodland of the Arboretum, we have planted a selection of different conifers, arranged following out geographic scheme (such as Araucaria and southern beech in our Southern Hemisphere section) or thematically (our living fossils collection).
Unfortunately, we also inherited some more problematic introductions: in particular the western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) and sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis). These are invasive in Norway, and damaging in the Arboretum where the particularly the mature hemlock trees produce large numbers of seedlings that outcompete the native vegetation and form dense stands.
