The Arboretum at Catton sits at about 750 feet above sea level in the North Pennines with fells and grouse moors on several sides. It is based around the Catton Burn which flows in a small ravine (a 'dene') of old deciduous trees.
It all started in about 1993 when a small Oak tree in a pot was left over on the plant stall at the end of the village fete. I said I would find somewhere for it and planted it in a space in the Dene amongst some of the Ash trees. From that little Oak tree (No 86 on the plan), the tree planting expanded with a few planted every year since, with variations of some of our more native trees but also with trees from around the world.
Rabbits and deer are a constant threat for young trees but conditions can also be challenging with the cold and strong winds combined during the winter months. If you are wanting to see how trees types are coping with climate change then please keep an eye on specific trees by clicking on the map. If a tree fails the first time round I generally plant another one in a different spot to give them several chances.
It all started in about 1993 when a small Oak tree in a pot was left over on the plant stall at the end of the village fete. I said I would find somewhere for it and planted it in a space in the Dene amongst some of the Ash trees. From that little Oak tree (No 86 on the plan), the tree planting expanded with a few planted every year since, with variations of some of our more native trees but also with trees from around the world.
Rabbits and deer are a constant threat for young trees but conditions can also be challenging with the cold and strong winds combined during the winter months. If you are wanting to see how trees types are coping with climate change then please keep an eye on specific trees by clicking on the map. If a tree fails the first time round I generally plant another one in a different spot to give them several chances.
Visiting the Arboretum is by appointment only. We are happy to show interested groups around though, please contact us at
Stone Circle - The stone circle within the Arboretum is a bit of a homage to agriculture in the North Pennines. A lot of the ways of working are the same as they have always been but some things move on. The gateways in the old stone walls would often have large stone gateposts which would never rot and never need replacing. They were put in to cope with the horse and cart and even coped with the old grey fergie tractors. The modern quad bike can still slide through but other farm machinery has gradually got bigger until they just don't fit through some of the old gateways any more. So some of the old stone posts have eventually been taken out. The majority of the stones in the circle are old stone gateposts or bits of them. The stones are ancient but not the circle. It's set out as a compass with the 3 large ones down the middle pointing to true north. The horizontal one at the end doubles as a pointer and as a seat from which to take in the views of the valley. If you are curious have a look underneath as well.