On 22 October 2014, the ACT Chief Minister, Katy Gallagher MLA, joined Her Majesty, Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck, Queen Mother of Bhutan, to plant a Bhutan cypress (Cupressus cashmeriana) in the Central Valley of the National Arboretum Canberra.
The Bhutan cypress joins over 50 other rare and symbolic trees planted by Australian and international dignitaries and well known public figures. The Bhutan cypress is the official national tree of Bhutan where it has been widely planted around Vihara monasteries and Buddhist temples for centuries. It is an evergreen tree that will grow to a height of around 20-40 metres.
The Bhutan cypress is a species of cypress native to the eastern Himalaya in Bhutan and adjacent areas of Arunachal Pradesh in northeastern India. It is also introduced in China and Nepal. It grows at moderately high altitudes of 1,250–2,800 metres (4,100–9,190 ft).
Other common names
Kashmir cypress, weeping cypress; Dzongkha language: Tsenden.
Ceremonial trees planted from around the world
The National Arboretum Canberra is home to almost 48,000 trees from more than one hundred nations.
Many Australian and international leaders and public figures have planted ceremonial trees at the National Arboretum, including Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge; Mr Ban Ki-Moon, United Nations Secretary- General; His Excellency Jose Ramos-Horta, President of the Republic of Timor-Leste; Australian author, Mr Thomas Keneally; Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark; His Majesty Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. Read more about ceremonial tree plantings at the Arboretum.
Through global tree conservation and research, ceremonial tree plantings and other special events, the National Arboretum Canberra builds partnerships with local, national and international organisations, individuals and communities. A