Japanese snowbell seedlings return home to the Arboretum

Japanese snowbell seedlings return home to Forest 67

A remarkable cycle of conservation, community and care has come full circle at the National Arboretum Canberra, with more than 100 young Japanese snowbell plants returning to the forest where their journey began.

Last winter, volunteers working alongside the Arboretum's Living Collections team, carefully collected tiny Japanese snowbell (Styrax japonicus) seedlings from Forest 67. The naturally germinated seedlings were transported to the Yarralumla Nursery, where they spent the past year being nurtured and strengthened before being ready for life back in the landscape.

Now, after 12 months of careful cultivation, 110 young saplings have been replanted in Forest 67 by dedicated working bee volunteers over two days, helping to replenish the forest and support its long-term resilience.

The Japanese snowbell is a graceful small deciduous tree native to the forests and mountain regions of China, Japan and Korea. Introduced to Forest 67 in August 2011, the species is admired for its elegant form and seasonal beauty. Mature trees develop rounded crowns, reaching around eight metres in height, with lustrous green leaves that turn brilliant shades of yellow and red in autumn. In late spring and early summer, the trees are adorned with clusters of delicate white bell-shaped flowers that hang beneath the branches, filling the air with a subtle fragrance. These blooms give the tree its common name and make it a favourite among gardeners and arboreta worldwide.

The project is a shining example of conservation in action. By collecting and growing seedlings that have naturally emerged beneath established trees, the Arboretum can strengthen its living collections while preserving the genetic heritage of the forest. It also demonstrates the important role our incredible volunteers play in helping care for one of Canberra's most significant botanical landscapes.