In November 2014, His Excellency Mr Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, was joined by the Prime Minister of Australia, The Honourable Mr Tony Abbott MP, and Katy Gallagher MLA, Chief Minister of the ACT; to plant a Betula pendula (silver birch) in the Central Valley of the National Arboretum Canberra.
This deciduous tree can also be found in Forest 44. It is a member of the birch family and grows naturally across most of Europe. The bark of the young trees is grey, smooth and shiny and then turns white. The serrated triangular leaves give a bright yellow autumn display. The flowers are wind-pollinated catkins which come out before the leaves in early spring and produce small winged seeds.
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.